Tag: Love

Know Why You Believe What You Believe

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Today’s Devotional – July 23, 2024

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8

Many years ago, I became severely troubled regarding some of my religious beliefs. The life of Christ demonstrated a loving and compassionate Savior who alleviated the mental, emotional, and physical suffering of everyone who had the faith to believe. Not only was He faithfully dedicated to seeking and saving the lost, but Jesus humbled Himself in obedience to die for us on Calvary’s Cross.

I could not grasp how God, the Father who lovingly gave His only Son would allow the righteous to live a perfect life in the New Heaven and New Earth while at the same time, the wicked suffered in an eternal hell.

“You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.” —Psalm 139:2

I am so thankful that God knows what is hidden deep in our hearts. The Holy Spirit came to my rescue, and I listened to a sermon entitled “No Eternally Burning Hell.” Many Scriptures were given yet the primary focus was on Malachi chapter 4 and Revelation chapter 20.

The Great Day of God: “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.” —Malachi 4:1

In Revelation chapter 20, Verses 1-3: Satan is Bound for 1,000 years; Verses 4-6: The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 years; and Verses 7-10: The Satanic Rebellion Crushed.

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” —Revelation 20:7-10

“Why did John emphasize the idea of eternal if he didn’t mean it to be taken literally? “…the word ‘eternal’ means that the judgment will be thorough rather than lasting forever.” Some things burn up quickly, but with the day and night description, it doesn’t appear the devil will have an instant death. Yet, he knows his demise and still wreaks havoc on the people of God attempting to take us with him. But, no, no, no, we refuse to travel on his path of destruction!

The book of Jude, verse 7, “as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” In Genesis 19, verse 28, “and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.”

We know that Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding plains were burned and nothing was left. The Bible explains itself. God has predetermined what we need to know to live righteously. Jesus also clarifies in Revelation chapter 21, there will be no eternally burning hell-fire.

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” —Revelation 21:8

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” —John 14:26

There are many theological debates among Bible scholars regarding the original language in which the Bible was written and its accurate interpretation. Yet, we must remember the Bible never requires updates. Any new human developed theologies should be excluded from our spiritual belief system. We have all the spiritual knowledge we need in the Bible for our calling and election to be steadfast through Christ.

Perilous times are separating many from God. Every day, we have daily distractions, voices, worldviews, temptations, and an internal battle against our carnal heart, but with unwavering faith, if we take God at His word, rely on the Holy Spirit to give us clarity and dispel any confusion regarding the Scriptures, we will receive the strength to fight the good fight of faith.

Reflection: What are your doctrinal beliefs? Can you validate your present beliefs using the Scriptures?

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” —2 Timothy 2:15

Many of us have not searched the Scriptures to check the credibility of our beliefs. Yes, the Bible contains symbolism, parables, similes, metaphors, analogies, juxtapositions, etc., but the Scriptures [if] studied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, allows us to receive perfect spiritual wisdom and discernment of God’s Truth.

When the Holy Spirit is involved in studying the Bible, He imparts wisdom and discernment even to young children. Studies have proven that children who study the Scriptures have wisdom beyond their age and excel in their studies. It is their genuine faith and trust that acts as a catalyst to receive imparted knowledge and wisdom from the Holy Spirit that would confound a professor who holds a Ph.D.

” ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and [inaccessible] mighty things, which you do not know.’ ” —Jeremiah 33:3

We are forever Bible students. Believers never reach a summit of Scriptural knowledge. Before we open our Bible, with humility, we ask for and rely on the Divine Wisdom of the Holy Spirit to discern the Scriptures. If you have never asked the Holy Spirit to reveal any false doctrines that are in your belief systems then you should because they are stumbling blocks to knowing and practicing God’s Truth in your daily life.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding…” —Proverbs 2:6

We cannot receive spiritual growth and transformation based on erroneous beliefs and doctrines. Pray for understanding! Once we know the Truth, then we must take another step, letting go of traditional or learned beliefs that are not in agreement with the Scriptures.

Be prepared, Truth always results in separation from others! No, they will not understand. Yet, our salvation and reward of eternal life require total acceptance of Biblical Truth and dependency on God. Every day pray and invite the Holy Spirit into your personal worship, you will receive deeper and deeper spiritual insight into the word of God that will produce spiritual growth and transformation.

As long as we remain a student of the Holy Spirit, we will know why we believe what we believe. Every day, we receive a greater measure of spiritual wisdom because we have faithfully called on the Lord and He has kept His promise by revealing to us great and mighty things. Amen.

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to anoint us with the power, presence, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Reveal your precious Words of Truth and empower us to discard all other fallacies. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Jesus, Our Compassionate Savior

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – July 2, 2024

“Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.” —Matthew 15:29-31, NIV

“Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.’ ” —Matthew 15:32

From studying the Life of Christ in the Four Gospels, we notice Christ’s distinct characteristic of loving compassion: “Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’ ” (Mark 1:40-41).

“During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching.”

Poverty – Our World in Data: In 2022, an estimated 3.71 billion people, or 46% of the global population, live in poverty below $6.85 per day…Poverty can have serious consequences for children’s health, education, and well-being. It can also have intergenerational impacts, as children who grow up in poverty are more likely to experience poverty as adults. worldbank.org

In 2024, globally, we also face a mental health crisis. Hopelessness and despair have escalated to pandemic levels and sadly the typical response to feeling hopeless is to take one’s own life. In 2022, over 50,000 individuals committed suicide in the United States, and globally death by suicide continues to rise. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17). God expects us to do our honest part financially by sharing our resources. Even so, money is not love, nor can tangible items validate our self-worth. We were created to love, care, and bond with others. Every person needs love expressed in kind words and deeds.

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” —1 Corinthians 13:1

As disciples, our spiritual assignment is to alleviate the suffering of others and by doing this we demonstrate the matchless love of Jesus. Every day, we can spread love and hope by not ignoring those who question their purpose in life. What this world needs now is Agape love! Not every well-dressed individual enjoys peace of mind and not every impoverished person is in anguish, yet, both need Jesus’ love.

One of my neighbors with a special needs child stopped briefly to chat. She shared the rigorous schedule she and her husband have in caring for their daughter. Both of them work full-time; he works the overnight shift, and she works during the day. They take turns caring for their daughter, leaving minimal time for sleep. I responded by telling her that she is a strong mother. She replied, “I don’t feel strong.” As I looked at the weariness on her face, her eyes reflected the sadness of her soul. My response was, “You know where I live. If you ever need help, let me know, and I will do my best to assist you.” With a smile, she said, “Oh, thank you very much.”

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” —1 John 4:11

Christ is our living example of loving God and loving others. Yes, the escalating number of dysfunctional home environments, the unemployed, the unsheltered, and the malnourished will exist until Jesus comes. Like an uncontrollable bushfire, worldwide famine continues to ravage the lives of innocent babies and children. Only what we do for Christ will count toward our reward in Revelation 22:12. One of the characteristics of a converted heart is to possess unconditional love demonstrated by active service to others.

Jesus used His time to heal the multitudes which provided them with the opportunity to live productive earthly lives spiritually and physically. Giving not only includes financial donations but also our time—for most, the indulgences of life consume their free time. We can set aside 3-4 hours per week to volunteer in outreach programs, community services, and nonprofit organizations that strive to alleviate never-ending social issues or begin our own community ministry.

Who will tell and show them Jesus is Love? As followers of Christ, our hearts must overflow with His love and compassion. It is every Christian believer’s responsibility to love and acknowledge others through service and financial donations. Speak the powerful words, Jesus loves you, and the Holy Spirit will water the seed of our spoken words and minister to the brokenhearted, giving them hope.

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’ ” (Matthew 25:40).

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Overcoming the Sorrow of Emotional Loss

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 18, 2024

“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation…” —1 Corinthians 1:5-6

Why We Suffer in Our Earthly Lives: During a pastoral panel discussion, the questions of why God allows bad things to happen to dedicated believers and why He doesn’t intervene to protect the earth’s natural resources were addressed. Answer: God does not interrupt the natural courses and effects of sin. The original sin of disobedience created a continuous negative domino effect on humanity and the earth which will not cease until Jesus comes.

Understanding God’s Purpose for Trials and Enduring Hardships

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. … In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Jesus forewarned us the righteous will suffer many trials and tribulations in their walk with Him. God knows every hardship we will experience in our earthly lives including the heartbreak of emotional loss. The fulfillment of our dreams can be cut short by a breakup, divorce, or the passing of a loved one. Emotional loss is life-altering because we love the individuals who are no longer a part of our daily lives which leaves a void in our hearts.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” —James 1:12

Although we cannot process the loss of a loved one as a privilege to share in Christ’s sufferings, no hardships arise in our lives without Christ’s approval. Emotional loss is a byproduct of the original sin. Only suffering produces the spiritual growth and transformation required to inherit our reward of eternal life.

Because we inherited corrupt hearts [it is easier to do wrong than right] God allows severe trials in which no amount of human effort will bring resolution. Why? To save our souls! And to draw us into a heart-to-heart relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. God has a goal—To give us Eternal life.

Our spiritual journey is unique according to the growth required to change us into the likeness [character] of Christ. Every day we receive tests of faith that require a decision, will we use our faith to depend on His Divine Help? Active faith strengthens our relationship with Christ and fosters a spiritually dependent mindset that prevents our grief from overpowering us.

To be of good cheer is often misunderstood, we do not express joy and happiness over our devastating loss. To be of good cheer is to remain hopeful despite our circumstances because we use our faith to rely on Christ’s never-failing love and power.

Overcoming the Emotional Loss of Relationships

“…I will never leave you or abandon you.” —Hebrews 13:5, CEB

Emotional loss [usually] cannot be recovered, those who are impacted face disorienting grief and sorrow. Grief is a natural emotional response to the loss of someone close and cannot be measured. Believers often are challenged in the area of emotional loss. Because we pray daily for God’s Divine Intervention we expect that we will be spared from the devastating loss of a loving marriage due to the death of a spouse, divorce, or separation, or experience abandonment. Yet, we are not spared—the marriage ends, the engagement is called off, or the best friend walks out of our lives. Will we turn to Christ and allow Him to heal our grieving hearts?

Christ Comfort to Parents—The Death of Children

“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces…” —Isaiah 25:8

The greatest blow from the sting of death is when a child passes away. Losing a baby, child, or children permanently changes the trajectory of their parent’s existence. A parent’s love for their children, living or deceased, is steadfast and protective. No spoken human words can comfort the sorrow of losing a child. Only God’s promises in the Scriptures will provide peace and calm the raging storm of grief.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:8). Continuous prayers of faith asking for Jesus’ strength to move forward [in little steps] must be spoken often during immense grief. Only Divine love and power can give parents the strength to press on despite their shattered hearts.

Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties can come unexpectedly. Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence? Lloyd Newell

The song, It is Well with My Soul was written by Horatio Spafford following the loss of his son from scarlet fever and the loss of his four daughters from the collision of the ship they were on with their mother. “Upon arriving in England, his wife sent a telegram to her husband that read: ‘Saved alone. What shall I do?’ “

“Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me” —Isaiah 27:5

Emotional loss is the most devastating loss we experience. We face two challenges, 1. We desire for the loved one to be with us again., 2. Grief is a powerful and uncontrollable emotional response—grief penetrates the mind, heart, body, and soul. The very core of our existence is shaken. The human response to the loss of a loved one is not predictable. Many have lost their will to live from losing their spouse, soul-mate, children, or parents, and best friends.

“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” —Psalm 121:1-2

Christ is our only hope when overwhelming sorrow fills our lives. He is the Giver of Peace and the Holy One who prevents our grief from escalating into a hopeless state of despair. We acknowledge that our hearts are broken, we do not have the strength to move forward, and we continuously pray for Christ’s Divine Help.

“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

We rely on our faith in God to accept His will even when the death of a loved one occurs. For those who died in Christ, they will be raised first when He comes again. For strength, we meditate on the Scriptural promises of God is with us. Yes, believers also experience the deepest sorrow from death, divorce, and breakups, yet, we embrace our loving Savior’s invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

From the depths of our grieved and weakened hearts, we pray, Jesus, I need Your help and Christ begins our journey of healing and restoration. Amen.

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” —John 21:25

Enduring the loss of loved ones is a spiritual struggle. Christ suffered from a broken heart. He humbled Himself to live an earthly life that was so grievous, that He called himself, A Man of Sorrows. Only Jesus has the power to discern the magnitude of grief and soothe the mother’s heart who lost her only child and bring peace to the widow or widower who lost their lifetime forever love.

Truly, Christ loves us. Our love for Christ joins our hearts to His heart. Remain faithful through much prayer. Search the Scriptures every day to learn the loving characters and promises of God, the Father, and God, the Son. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter who gives us the supernatural strength to keep pressing forward in Jesus’ Name.

Overcoming the Natural Responses to Emotional Loss

“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

Our response to emotional loss reveals the true status of our relationship with Christ. If we ask, How could God allow this to happen? then we blame God for the failure to intervene which nurtures unbelief. The escalation of anger or depression easily overpowers faith. Do not believe the psychological theories that lingering anger, unforgiveness, and depression are normal responses to emotional loss. Immediately, seek Christ through fervent prayer. Sustained anger, unforgiveness, and sinking into the darkness of depression indicate our rejection of Christ’s love and prevents us from receiving spiritual, mental, and emotional healing.

Restoring Our Will to Breathe and Move Forward

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds…” (Jeremiah 30:17). Although we focus on the physical healing of Jesus’ earthly ministry, His divine priority was spiritual healing and restoration. Emotional loss requires spiritual healing that is only available through Christ. We pray, Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor responds, and the Holy Spirit anoints us with supernatural power and peace.

God is love! He never allows even the severest trial to crush us which would serve no purpose in our journey of spiritual transformation. Christ promises healing when we faithfully trust Him. Although it seems impossible, I am a living witness that our grief dissipates, and the emptiness in our hearts is filled with Christ’s love and peace.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in him I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” —Psalm 18:2

During our journey of healing and restoration, day by day, the Holy Spirit imparts Christ’s strength to carry us through. Yes, you will experience days that leave you breathless. And on those days, call His Name out loud, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The spiritual comfort we receive from placing our lives in Christ’s hands is life-changing! He fills our empty void with His love, joy, and peace. If we pray without ceasing and faithfully depend on Jesus, we will receive complete healing and restoration. Each day, Christ patiently guides us through our journey imparting His healing, abundant love and peace into our hearts.

” ‘…Do you want to be made well?’ ” —John 5:6

Spiritual Healing is Supernatural and Divine! Grief and sorrow cannot stay in our hearts when we place our faith and trust in Christ. One day we awaken and we know that we are healed because our hearts are free from pain and sorrow! And our tears express our gratitude for His love, long suffering, and the time we were given with our loved ones.

Jesus’ Divine healing power abolishes the residual of emotional loss and we are made whole. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” —Isaiah 53:5

Lord God, we pray for those who are hurting from losing their loved ones. We ask You to shower them with love and strength and to give them peace as You bring healing and restoration to their broken hearts. We ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus. Amen. © April 2024

Jesus, The Triumphant King!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 3, 2024

“And He said to me, ‘It is done!’ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life free to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” —Revelation 21:6-7

If you were to send a letter to Jesus, how would you salute Him? Jesus, My Lord, Savior, and King would certainly give Him the utmost honor and reverence He deserves. For some, they would make their salutation more personal, “Jesus, My First Love, My Shepherd, and My Best Friend” which would express the love they feel in their hearts for Christ. Yet, for us to prepare for a lifetime with Christ, in our earthly lives, we must perceive Jesus as the Triumphant King.

Our daily prayers are the love letters we send to Jesus, our Triumphant King, High Priest, and Heavenly Intercessor. As we reflect on the content of our prayers, what is their primary focus? Do we express our love by thanking Jesus for His grace and the mercies of a new day? Do we renew our covenant vow to faithfully surrender ourselves, and speak words of adoration, gratitude, praise, and honor, or do we skip the consecration and directly ask for [material] blessings?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus provides the qualifier [true love for Him produces obedience] that proves whether or not we love Him. We can gain intellectual knowledge of Christ’s character and earthly life by studying the Four Gospels but still not have an intimate heart-to-heart relationship with Him. The believers who accept Christ and do the works, but disobey God’s Righteous Principles and Commandments, Christ says they do not love Him.

To the Ephesus Church: “…and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” —Revelation 2:4

Jesus instructed the apostle John to write letters to the seven churches regarding their spiritual status. The church of Ephesus was identified as the one that lost its First Love—Christ. Although the members performed the required works [attending church, giving tithes and offerings, feeding the hungry, giving aid to the poor, and witnessing], Jesus was not the King of their hearts.

“We love him, because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

Our love relationship with Christ is initiated by Christ. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” The door of our hearts will open or remain closed when the Holy Spirit [yes, it is a mystery] knocks and invites us to accept Christ with the innate love we received [2 Timothy 1:7].

Before the Second Coming of Christ, every human being will receive an invitation to accept Christ as their personal Savior. Some will reject Christ immediately, yet rejection is also revealed by saying yes, and then living according to our desires.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” —Matthew 19:29

How far are we willing to go for Christ? Jesus identifies our love for tangible assets and people as the roadblocks that prevent us from giving Him 100% of our love and loyalty. The rich, young ruler walked away in sorrow when Jesus instructed him to sell all and follow Him. Jesus knew the ruler loved Him and truly desired to be a disciple, but He exposed that wealth was the young ruler’s first love.

The thriving bank account that we cherish, or the money spent on frivolous trinkets instead of helping those in need reveal that Christ is not our First Love. Many Christians do not struggle with loving money but their first love is people. The spouse we please above obeying God, the unequal relationships with unbelievers, or the person who we have dated for years, but is not God’s chosen one will never receive His blessing of approval.

The believer’s challenges also extend to spoiling our children and having relationships with unbelieving and [middle-of-the-road Christian] family members and friends whom God has not designated to be a part of our spiritual journey, but we hold on to them as if they are the giver of eternal life. Let them go!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” —Psalm 139:23-24

Many times we fall by repeating old behaviors. The next step is to pray and ask God to search our hearts and reveal all unrighteousness. We whisper a prayer of confession and repentance, God forgives us, and we start over.

When the Holy Spirit convicts us of our unrighteous character traits, disobedient desires, and worldly habits, along with the people who are standing in our way of eternal life, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit by praying for strength and using the spiritual process of elimination.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” —Matthew 11:29-30

The Bible is a love letter to all believers. From studying Christ’s life, our heart should react with an abundant love and loyalty to Christ that supersedes all earthly love for others. Our relationship with Christ begins from our innate gift of love and if our love is genuine, we become one with Him.

When Jesus is our First Love, we willingly surrender to God’s will and plans by seeking Him in every aspect of our lives. Only those who consecrate themselves as Followers of Christ will possess the desire to persevere with faithful obedience to God.

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ ” (John 21:20). Bible scholars define the disciple that Jesus loved as not identified.

“But the one who loves God is known by God.” —1 Corinthians 8:3

As time passed, John observed Jesus’ loving and gentle manner with everyone He came in contact with which resulted in a transformation of his heart. He let go of his selfish desire to be the greatest and to sit on the right hand of Christ. With faithful obedience, the Son of Thunder was transformed into a humble and loving disciple. John became one of the first disciples who desired to have the loving heart and righteous character of Christ.

John truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God. From studying the book of John, the tone of the Scriptures indicates that Jesus became John’s First Love. For his love and loyalty, the apostle John was rewarded by having a vision in which Jesus, the Triumphant King spoke the Holy prophetic words of the book of Revelation directly to His apostle.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6

Every steadfast believer understands that Jesus is their Lord, Savior, and Best Friend. As we continue in our faith journey of Sanctification, the Holy Spirit gives us a deeper level of spiritual discernment which strengthens our relationship with Christ. Continue to pray daily for spiritual wisdom.

The day will come when your life will forever change. The Holy Spirit will empower you by opening your spiritual eyes to perceive Christ as the One and Only Triumphant King with whom you will spend eternity. And on that day, you will be in awe of the power of the Holy Spirit because you will fully understand what it truly means to worship Jesus, the King Triumphant in Spirit and in Truth.

“Lamb of God, You Are Seated at the Right Hand of the Father, You Are Holy, Holy, You Are God!” One day soon, we will see our Triumphant King face to face and behold His Beauty and Majesty as we fall to our knees in worship and adoration. Amen.

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ ” —1 Corinthians 2:9

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

To Have the Mind of Christ

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 27, 2024

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” —Romans 12:2

As believers, we have a blessed advantage, Jesus Christ is our Friend, Savior, and King who tells us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. When we renew our minds through prayer and study of the Scriptures, we invite the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, characters, and personalities. We pray for God’s will to be revealed with the commitment to obey. To have the mind of Christ requires steadfast faith, surrender, and obedience.

To have the mind of Christ requires the study of the Scriptures and much prayer. The Bible provides us with knowledge of the characters of God and Jesus. When we invite the Holy Spirit to our study, we receive spiritual wisdom and the Holy Spirit teaches us how to apply God’s Commandments and Righteous Principles to our everyday lives.

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). From prayer, we receive spiritual strength, guidance, comfort, answers to the perplexities of life, and most importantly forgiveness of our sins. Day by day, our thoughts change to reflect the mind of Christ.

“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

To have the mind of Christ is to believe that God, the Father loves us. In Jeremiah 29:11, we are assured that God has “thoughts of peace, not evil, to give us a future and hope.” Many believers are worried about the unknown future, yet, they fail to realize that events of the given day are also unknown.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus forewarned us of the hardships we would face every day, still, we do not have to worry when we place both the unknown and the known into God’s hands.

To have the mind of Christ requires astute knowledge of His character. The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide us with the attributes of Christ’s character, He was loving, obedient, humble, compassionate, considerate of others, and possessed the Fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Christ is our Role Model who taught us how to love and demonstrate kindness to everyone regardless of their lifestyle or belief system. Study John 8:1-11 [The woman caught in adultery]. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31, NIV).

In difficult temptations, use silence, self-control, and prayer, not only will God intervene to resolve your battles, but the Holy Spirit will empower you with the strength to change and use His Divine power to produce daily spiritual growth. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

It is our character that must be changed into the Character of Christ. Although we cannot change ourselves without the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit, we must put forth the human effort of learning to love God and everyone who Christ died for.

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” —Psalm 86:12

Christ loved, honored, obeyed, and reverenced His Father. We know this because of the countless hours He spent communing with God in prayer. Every aspect of Jesus’ earthly life was guided by God’s Divine will. Before Christ chose the 12 apostles, He spent all night in prayer alone with His Heavenly Father. One significant habit that we must embrace is to emulate Christ’s prayer life of constant communication with God.

To have the mind of Christ requires total surrender. Our daily prayer is, God, I surrender myself to You. We receive God’s will and plans for our lives by praying continuously. We do not fulfill this command by speaking repetitious words all day long. We discipline our minds to make prayer our first response to all challenges.

Do not pick and choose the matters that you pray about, whether routine or out of the ordinary, like Christ did, present everything to God in prayer, and thank Him in the same prayer for His Divine Intervention.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” —John 14:6

To have the mind of Christ is to become one with Him as He became one with God in His earthly life. The love we were gifted with (2 Timothy 1:7) connects our hearts to Christ’s heart. Intimacy with Christ is to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Him. We proclaim our love for Jesus, accept Him as our Savior, confess and repent our sins, and we are covered with His Righteousness.

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

To have the mind of Christ is to have extraordinary faith and trust in God’s Omnipotence. Even when the people in the synagogue became angry, [“Their city was built on a hill with a cliff. So they got up, forced Jesus out of the city, and led him to the cliff. They intended to throw him off of it” (Luke 4:29).] Jesus did not fear the angry mob nor did He use His Divine power to save Himself, Jesus knew that His Father would send angels to protect Him from all harm.

“…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5

We prepare ourselves for the unpredictable day through morning worship, praying prayers of faith, “God, my life is in Your hands. Thank You for taking care of me and my family.” Prayer is our lifeline to God, the Source of life. Pray often! Ask for Divine Intervention, guidance, wisdom, strength, and discernment of deceptive temptations and the power to overcome for today. Live for today!

To have the mind of Christ is to rise above our natural inclinations by surrendering ourselves to God. When facing opposition, if we pray, the Holy Spirit intervenes by giving us the strength to think and function above and beyond our human abilities.

Do not become offended by how you are treated. Christ is our example of living a peaceful and victorious life. Despite the harsh treatment, rejection, and hatred He faced every day, Jesus’ joy came from knowing, “I have a Father who loves me with everlasting love.”

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” —Romans 8:37

From our faith and total reliance on God’s Divine Love and Sovereignty, we can enjoy our God-given gifts of happiness, peace, and contentment. With steadfast determination to have the mind of Christ, we will receive the same victory He received in His earthly life!

God, we thank You for Your amazing love and faithfulness. Jesus, we thank You for being our living example of surrender, obedience, and faithfulness to Your Heavenly Father. We ask for Your Divine intervention in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

The Fruit of Self-Control

Our Daily Walk with Christ -Devotional – February 12, 2024

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22-23

The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control…To rule the spirit is to keep self under discipline; to resist evil; to regulate every word and deed by God’s great standard of righteousness. He who has learned to rule his spirit will rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and these will cease to cast a gloom over his spirit. (Reflecting Christ).

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Matthew 26:41

We love God! Yes, we are grateful for the mercies of a new day. Not one Christian awakens with the intent to sin against God. With faithful obedience, we offer ourselves to God through a prayer of surrender, asking Him to reveal His will for the given day.

Still, Jesus forewarned us of the intense struggle required to follow Him. Every day, we experience tribulations [spiritual warfare, temptations, and trials]. Yet, our greatest battle is the internal war of the flesh against the spirit that rages within our hearts [minds].

“For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].” —Romans 7:15, Amplified Bible

Although our intentions to surrender and obey are good and honest, by the end of our day, we must pray a prayer of confession and repentance because we succumbed to temptation, allowed our emotions to rise up, spoke harsh words, purchased unnecessary things, failed to pray for guidance, followed our thoughts, and the decision brought consequences.

Predetermination, Commitment, and Praying for Divine Help in Our Time of Need

  1. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
  2. “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
  3. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
  4. “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

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

We received power, love, and a sound mind which allows us to say no. Self-control requires much discipline. No one can force us to disobey God. What is sinful? All decisions, behaviors, spoken words, and actions that do not honor and glorify God.

The answers are found in the Bible. God says, “I change not.” The only law that was abolished was the Ceremonial Law of animal sacrifice. The behaviors and practices that God identified in the Old and New Testaments as sinful are still valid today.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” —Proverbs 14:12

Without diligent study of the Scriptures, a dilemma arises, our perception of sin does not align with God’s definition of sin—transgression of His law and righteous standards. Many of today’s believers do not understand the faith, obedience, and self-control required to live a sanctified life. Because we inherit carnal hearts, without a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ, we are swayed by the world we live in.

The skill of deception is used in covert ways. The secular music, relationships with unbelievers, immodest apparel, chasing success, wealth accumulation, the pursuit of goals [without God’s approval], sexual immorality, cohabitation, yoga, meditation to an idol, marijuana, fermented, and alcoholic drinks, and following our inclinations are worldviews that have crept into our lives.

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” —1 John 2:6

Jesus’ earthly mission was rigorous, but Jesus was a Prayer Warrior. He is our living example of the spiritual power that God gives to those who seek His will through consistent prayer. Under Jesus’ steadfast guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit, eleven of the twelve apostles were transformed into His likeness. If we surrender ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and vow to be faithful and obedient, we will receive the Fruit of self-control, and the power to live by it.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” —Psalm 139:23-24

Truthfully, we cannot discern our sinful behaviors and habits without asking the Holy Spirit to reveal our unrighteousness. From our love for God, we send up prayers asking Him to search our hearts and reveal every displeasing character trait, habit, and behavior that prevents us from living holy and moving forward in our journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13

Self-control is a spiritual discipline. To deny oneself of sinful pleasures requires sacrifice. Our deep and abiding love for Christ allows us to let go of worldly habits, behaviors, and friends. To overcome our carnal desires will always require human effort and Divine Intervention. There is no limit when praying for spiritual strength. We pray for strength when we feel strong [lest we fall] and in our weakest moments.

Through Christ, even the weakest are made strong. When we call on the name of Jesus for help, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the strength to accomplish above and beyond our human limits. In the power of Christ, we proclaim, flesh, you will not rule over me! “Be holy, for I am Holy.” Strive for holiness by keeping your focus on Jesus.

“Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right [steadfast] spirit within me.” In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

The Spirit of Humility

The Spirit of Humility – Devotional – January 11, 2024

Our prayers reflect our true character. With humility, we surrender daily to God and pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will for the given day.

Faithful obedience is the decision to honor and reverence God above our desires and plans. Humility proclaims “The LORD is My God and He is the LORD of my life,” therefore, I willingly place my life in His hands.

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for a spirit of humility as You possessed in Your earthly life by always seeking the will of Your Father. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Surrendering to God Saves Our Lives

Surrendering to God Saves Our Lives – Today’s Devotional – December 4, 2023

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’ ” —Matthew 16:24, NLT

Taking up our cross is defined by surrendering our will to God and trusting His thoughts, ways, and plans for our lives. It is not a middle-of-the-road life filled with compromises based on our heart’s desires. As Christ prayed daily to receive the revelation of God’s will for His life, we also pray a daily prayer of surrender asking God to reveal His will through the Holy Spirit.

Surrender is a righteous character trait that requires a sacrificial love for God and the humility of a little child. Surrender determines whether or not you are in the right standing with God. Our willingness to surrender and obey God is demonstrated through the type of prayers we pray and the lifestyle we live.

Never Underrate the Importance of Surrender! Anything outside of relinquishing our desires to God breaches one’s relationship with Christ. Disobedience always separates us from God.

Reflection: How do your character, habits, and lifestyles compare with God’s great moral standard of righteousness?

“Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous.” —1 John 3:7, ESV

The inheritance of a carnal heart places us at a disadvantage—we cannot judge ourselves. There must be diligent searching of the Scriptures which identify our sins that have been offensive to God, which have dishonored His name, quenched the power of the Holy Spirit, and separated us from our first love for Christ.

We rate our sins on a scale of little to big to great. Yet, to God, all sin is the transgression of His laws of righteousness and disobedience against Him. Yes, God takes it personally when we sin against Him. And rightfully so, God gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ to fulfill the Plan of Salvation. Jesus surrendered fully to the will of His Father by sacrificing His life and suffering an agonizing death on Calvary’s cross to redeem us from the second death which is the penalty of sin.

Our refusal to surrender has its roots in the sin of unbelief—we do not trust God. The heart void of love and trust can never surrender. The internal conflict we face results in contempt for God’s Truth, succumbing to the temptations of worldliness, self-reliance, over-indulgence, pride, selfishness, false doctrines, and immorality. Our lifestyles reveal the true status of our faith in God.

We cannot save ourselves. The work of overcoming is the work of a lifetime which requires human effort and Divine Intervention. Victory is assured through our love, humility, surrender, faith, and obedience. We must put forth the effort to cooperate with the Power of the Holy Spirit to receive the conviction and Divine instructions needed for a daily spiritual transformation.

Our appreciation of Christ’s gift is demonstrated by giving Him our love and loyalty as we strive to live holy and acceptable lives. We separate ourselves from the worldviews by studying the Scriptures and embracing God’s Biblical views. Through daily surrender, we are preparing our earthly lives for the promise of eternal life.

How will we stand before God, the Righteous Judge? The choice is ours to make. God has given us the free will to decide our final destiny. Yes, God indeed is a Loving, Fair, and Righteous Judge.

Prayer: God, we ask forgiveness for our failure to surrender. We admit that we have an issue with our hearts, we do not love You as we should. We make a covenant from this day forward to surrender all to You. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

The Woman Who Reverences God

The Woman Who Reverences God – Devotional Reading – December 3, 2023

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ” (Matthew 22:37)

Hannah, Ruth, Esther, Rahab, Mary, Dorcas, and Lydia were women who loved, reverenced, and obeyed God by surrendering their hearts to Him. These women did not have conflict in their hearts when they decided to follow God. In studying their stories, we find that they possessed love, loyalty, and dedication demonstrated by their faithful obedience.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” —1 John 5:4

The reverent woman always puts God first by seeking His will. Loving God is reflected in her healthy lifestyle, modest clothing, and loving, compassionate, and patient temperament. Emulating the Character of Christ, her smile lights up the room and her words are as sweet as honey. She possesses a gentle and soothing voice that makes you feel at ease in her presence because her heart is filled with the joy of the Lord.

“Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” —Colossians 3:2

The woman who reverences God appreciates His blessings by practicing the frugal habits of stewardship. She does not follow the fashion trends or seek to purchase material goods, no, this dedicated woman is content with God-given blessings. She is a daughter of the Most-High God who worships Him by obeying His commandments to love others and uses her financial abundance to help those in need.

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” —Psalm 47:6

Most importantly, she sends up prayers and songs of praise to God thanking Him for His never-ending love, grace, and mercies. The reverent woman prays for God to extend His mercies to the brokenhearted and the displaced members of society. She accepts her calling as a disciple always ready to witness to others. “Have a blessed day” and “Jesus loves you” are easily spoken by her to everyone she comes into contact with because her heart fully belongs to Jesus.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” —Matthew 6:6

As a devout woman of God, she seeks His will through personal worship, inviting the Holy Spirit to breathe the anointing of wisdom and strength into her mind, body, and soul. Her desire to seek righteousness is reflected in the time she spends studying the Scriptures. She embraces the word of God as the Light that guides her to stay safely on the Path of Righteousness.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Although this woman lives courageously she also faces the challenges of temptation and the feelings of discouragement. Yes, the righteous woman has suffered many losses, disappointments, and sorrows, but still, she faithfully clings to Christ’s promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Because her trust is in Christ she readily accepts His invitation to come boldly before the Throne of Grace knowing that she will receive Divine Help in the time of need. The reverent woman seeks guidance and supernatural strength from the Holy Spirit to live righteously.

This inspiring woman is determined to lead a life of holiness. She puts her unwavering faith, trust, and hope in Christ, and strives to be intentional in all her actions. Every day, she aligns herself with the will of God revealing her desire to receive the heavenly reward of Eternal life.

“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

Yet, the reverent woman holds fast to Christ for her strength is not found in her husband, children, family, or friends. Because this woman remains steadfast in the storms of life she has found favor with God. Christ knows this daughter has a fragile, caring heart often leaving her weary while doing good for others.

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

From her fervent prayers, she receives comfort and strength from the Holy Spirit. As she performs her earthly duties she is waiting in joyful expectation for Jesus’ promise to come to fruition. “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).

“In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people… —Isaiah 28:5

The reverent woman is part of God’s faithful remnant who keeps their lamps filled with oil [the Holy Spirit] and she will be ready to enter the marriage feast when the Bridegroom comes. Yes, she has prepared herself for a heavenly life to worship at the feet of Jesus forevermore. Hallelujah! Amen.

The qualities of a reverent woman are found throughout the Scriptures in the stories of godly women who persevered in harsh times—in times when they were not independent but were owned by husbands or masters. Yet, these faithful daughters of God were strengthened and guided by the Holy Spirit to obey the will of God.

Today’s women can receive the same empowerment from the Holy Spirit to excel in their walk with Christ. As we draw closer to the Second Coming of Christ, it is time for us to become reverent women of God!

Prayer: God, we pray for the strength to become a dedicated reverent woman of God. We realize that our lives our not our own. And we ask You to order our steps according to Your Divine will and plan for our lives. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries