“For you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in Mercy to all those who call upon You (Psalm 86:4- 5).
The book of Psalms reflects David’s love, faith, and trust in God. Throughout history, no musician, or songwriter can equal the heartfelt Psalms [Songs of Praise, Worship, and Petitions], which are prayers from the depths of David’s heart.
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon you, for you will answer me” (Psalm 86:7).
Many do not understand David’s prayers and feel that he was depressed. No, he understood God’s Love and Sovereign Authority, and the limitations of human effort to resolve life’s challenges.
David, the shepherd boy who played his harp in the fields was given the supernatural strength to kill bears and lions with his hands. Yes, young David tenderly cared for his sheep, matured into a mighty warrior, and was honored by God to become King over Judah and Israel, yet David was hated.
“O God, the proud have risen against me, and a mob of violent men have sought my life. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to your servant. Show me a sign for good that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You Lord have helped me and comforted me” (Psalm 86:14, 16-17).
David’s petitions reveal an unwavering faith in God, reliance on the power of prayer, and the belief that humanity was created to depend on God, Jesus Christ, the Creator, therefore, he honored God by continuously crying out to Him for Divine help.
“For great Is Your mercy toward me” (Psalm 86:13).
We have received the mercies of a new day, will we pray and obey, or move ahead to fulfill our desires and plans? Sadly, many Christians have embraced the worldview of self-sufficiency resulting in the exclusion of God from their lives.
If our first response to challenges and adversity is to ask ourselves, “How am I going to resolve this?” then we have separated ourselves from God. Christ always prayed with the intent to seek and obey God, the Father’s will. [Read John 8:29].
The Bible teaches us that unless we love God more than ourselves, and like Christ, surrender daily by seeking His Divine will and plans, we will not receive the eternal reward that God desires to give us.
We accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior because we love and honor Him for His great sacrificial offering on Calvary’s Cross. Every day, we must remind ourselves that we desperately desire Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3.
Yes, faith, reverence, and loyalty are fruits of a loving heart that readily acquiesces to God’s Sovereignty in total surrender and obedience.
“Teach me your way, O Lord” (Psalm 86:11).
God is Sovereign, Holy, Righteous, and Majestic, the angels cover their faces when worshiping Him. Daily surrender develops a spirit of humility, “God, not my will, but Your will be done” preparing us for a forever life of worship.
Our earthly lives are the only opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit to change our character into the Righteousness of Christ. Sanctification is performed by the Holy Spirit and is the spiritual process of mind, character, and personality transformation that requires a lifetime.
When our hearts are overflowing with love for God, our perception changes, and like David, we begin to cry out continuously with praise, worship, and petitions asking for Divine Help. Yes and Amen!
“Bow down your ear, O LORD, hear me; for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life…You are my God; Save your servant who trusts in You! (Psalm 86 1-2).
Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for not honoring you with the worship of surrender and obedience. Lord, we ask you to show us your mercy, and grant us Your salvation. We pray for Your guidance, which is the only way that we can stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask this prayer in faith, and in the Sovereign Name of Jesus, our Triumphant King, Amen.
Today, I looked at my Air Purifier that runs 24/7 and wondered how much more time it has left. It is easy to replace machines, just purchase another one, but most are treating their minds and bodies like machines that can be easily replaced.
How did we get to the point of despising these much-needed, rejuvenating times of rest? We have embraced the non-stop busyness of always being in a hurry which doesn’t give our fearfully and wonderfully made minds and bodies time to renew, restore, and regenerate itself.
Rest vs Sleep: They are not the same.
“For most, feeling tired or worn down might make you think you need more sleep. While quality sleep is critical to feeling whole, rest is so much more than your nightly hours of shut-eye.”
“Rest involves your whole being, not just your body. With complete and regular rest, you will restore your health, enhance your performance, and achieve an amazing sense of wellness.”
“So many small — but impactful — bouts of rest can be incorporated into your everyday routine.”
Take Routine Time Outs
“Removing yourself from a stressful situation or anxious environment might be all you need to take a mental and physical break. Think of it as your own little “time out” to connect with your thoughts, feelings and body. Even a short, calming prayer can help you rejuvenate in body, mind and spirit.”
The Lack of Rest is Dangerous to Our Spiritual Relationship with God
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’ ” (Mark 6:31, NIV).
Jesus, the Creator of humanity, in His earthly life also adhered to the principles of maintaining one’s health by establishing boundaries. Our Savior never expected His disciples to follow the rigid schedule that He endured.
As terrible as it sounds, truthfully, when we are mentally fatigued, the last thing that we desire to do is to study the Scriptures, Pray, and be in the Divine presence of God.
Our inability to concentrate, pay attention to the small details, use critical thinking, and sound judgment are greatly impacted by our lack of regenerative rest periods. Mental fatigue impacts our ability to think outside of an emotional responses.
Satan uses our overloaded schedules to distract us from spending time with God, and to present alternative [demonic] modalities, burning sage, secular music, Eastern meditation, alcohol, mushroom tea, CBD, and hours of scrolling on social media designed to produce a false state of euphoria.
Many Christian believers who are reading this devotional may not be aware that we are living in the last days of Earth’s history. To clarify, we are not in the End Times which occur right before Jesus comes again.
The Apostle Paul defines the characteristics of Perilous Times, which is now.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Jesus has not kept secrets from us, in the Book of Revelation, we know how the story ends. In Matthew chapter 24, the signs that Jesus gave to his disciples are rapidly being fulfilled!
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8).
Jesus’ forewarning is not to instill fear, but to give us the opportunity to review our lives and to eliminate any roadblocks that will prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal Life.
Take a day off to separate yourself, silence all distractions, and scrutinize your lifestyle. Pray for guidance and perform the task of prioritizing and eliminating all activities that prevent your ability to incorporate small blocks of spiritual rest breaks throughout your waking hours.
I can recall working for United Healthcare as a Quality nurse with the responsibility of assisting physicians to deliver patient care within Medicare’s guidelines. Every day it was a taxing effort to prepare ourselves to present the monthly reports of deficiencies to the Doctors, which always produced an escalated level of resistance.
One day, I felt extreme burnout and fatigue, and recall thinking, “I cannot do this job much longer.” The Holy Spirit spoke through my thoughts instructing me to take my lunch break in my vehicle. Yes, for an hour, I listened to inspirational music, sang, prayed for strength, and mental clarity, and God intervened by renewing my strength, and changing my perception of the position, Do not take the pushbacks personally.
Begin and end your day with prayer and study of the Scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in incorporating several short rest breaks, using them as a time to ask for clarity, strength, and wisdom.
Whisper a prayer, listen to music, sing, and reflect on God’s Faithfulness, thanking Him for His never-ending love and mercies.
Nothing compares to receiving a spiritual boost of Jesus’ Supernatural strength!
“Yet those who hope in Yahweh will gain new power; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired; They will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:31, LSB). Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we come to you weary and fatigued by the responsibilities in our lives. We ask for Your Divine guidance in eliminating all unnecessary activities that have distanced us from You. Jesus, we need your strength and wisdom to persevere through this journey of life. And we thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
From the moment that we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we are enlisted in God’s Army which requires unwavering love, steadfast faith, commitment, and much courage. Every believer is in a Spiritual War that we cannot win unless we rely on the Power of God.
The daily face-off between choosing right over wrong requires us to make adjustments in our lives.
Manage your time by eliminating all unnecessary distractions. Replace excessive screen time with prayer and Bible study.
Do not let people’s petty pursuits become your problems. Satan’s most effective strategy is to use people to prevent us from completing our daily activities and spiritual goals.
Everyday consecrate your life to Christ through total surrender and faithful obedience. Prayer: LORD, fill my life with your Holy Spirit.
Twice a day separate yourself for personal worship. We are living in the Last Days [2 Timothy 3], and require the Holy Spirit to empower us with spiritual wisdom and strength to live as Victorious Overcomers.
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is our spiritual lifeline and connection to Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor.
Prayer acknowledges that God is Sovereign. Our lifestyle should reflect that we honor God as the Supreme Authority and Ruler over this universe, and in our lives.
“Reverence, is not just a feeling, but a deep respect and honor for God’s greatness and holiness, demonstrated in both our actions and attitudes. Reverence is a Response to God’s Majesty.”
“Reverence in Daily Life: Reverence should extend beyond formal worship and be integrated into our daily lives through obedience to God’s commandments, honoring His name, and treating sacred things with respect.”
“Reverence for God’s Word: We approach the Bible with reverence, recognizing it as God’s voice speaking to us. The Holy Scriptures provide a rich resource for understanding and cultivating a deeper sense of respect and honor for God in our lives.”
Our thoughts regarding God’s Omnipotence and Sovereign Authority are demonstrated by our lifestyle and pursuits. As believers, if we persist in following our thoughts and desires then we will receive only the temporary rewards this earth provides.
“I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me; here me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; May the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:2).
“David’s prayer in Psalm 141 is a heartfelt plea for God’s guidance and protection, acknowledging his own need for Divine intervention. He wants his prayers to be genuine and pleasing to God, seeking to live a life that reflects his devotion.”
Our love, honor, and reverence for God’s Supremacy is demonstrated by a surrendered, and sacrificial life of humility and obedience. The converted heart is one that is filled with the Oil of Grace, which is the power of the Holy Spirit.
Seeking God’s will and plans every day through prayer is the sweet incense that ascends to Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor, demonstrating our love and loyalty to God.
Sanctification is the daily spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ performed by the Holy Spirit when we cooperate by serving God with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience.
Praise God, that Jesus suffered, bled, and died for us. Yes, this earthly journey is like traveling on a rocky road, and at times we will stumble and fall, but if we look up, and pray for help, our Savior, and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ is extending His Hand of Mercy to pick us up.
Lord God, we pray for Your guidance, protection, correction, and redirection when we are tempted to follow our thoughts. We realize that we cannot stay on the Path of Righteousness without Your Divine help. We ask you to reveal all obstacles that would prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal Life, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“For it is written, “Be Holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
Acknowledging that God exists is part of many individuals’ fundamental beliefs, yet, it doesn’t necessarily equate to living a holy life that represents Christ’s Righteousness.
What is the status of our relationship with Christ? Our clothing preferences reflect the true spiritual condition of our hearts and character. The converted heart loves God, and hates sin because sin is rebellion against God.
“…come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). God commands us “to separate from the world’s ways, including its values, behaviors, and influences.”
The sanctified man and woman of God choose modest clothing because their hearts are pure, and filled with the Righteousness of Christ. Spiritual transformation begins in the heart and is reflected outwardly.
Tight revealing clothing entices unbelievers who assume that we are also unbelievers. God will never bless us with a man or woman of God to be our husband or wife when our hearts are impure.
Our earthly lives are the only opportunity we have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit who transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.
Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth arises from our love and desire to obey His commands. We use our faith to reveal to a corrupt world that accepting Jesus changes our sinful habits into visible differences that honor Him, and reflect His glory.
We look forward to living in our Forever Home with Jesus because love, purity, and holiness will permeate the atmosphere like the aroma of sweet smelling incense. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we love You, and ask You to teach us how to be holy. We ask this prayer in faith, and in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Love is a Fruit of the Spirit, and the Fruit of the Spirit represents Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23].
“When love fills the heart, it will flow out to others, not because of favors received from them, but because love is the principle of action. Love modifies the character, governs the impulses, subdues enmity, and [elevates] the affections.”
“This love is as broad as the universe, and is in harmony with that of the angel workers. Cherished in the heart, it sweetens the entire life and sheds its blessing all around.”
“Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Savior it is impossible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world.” Unless we possess Agape Love, we will not have the power to demonstrate the difference Christ makes in one’s life.
We cannot give to others that which we do not ourselves possess. It is in proportion to our own devotion and consecration to Christ that we exert an influence for the blessing and uplifting of mankind.” EGW
Lord Jesus, we live in a world void of love. We ask You to teach us how to love others as You love them. Please remove all the harshness from our character. Empower us with the Holy Spirit so that we can represent Your Righteous Character. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” -Matthew 22:37
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:35
“It is no secret what God desires and requires of those who would claim to love and obey Him. He specifies very clearly in Micah 6:8 (and in similar passages elsewhere): ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?’ ” (NKJV).
The two greatest sins are both tied to love. The failure to love God and to love everyone else results in the loss of receiving our reward of eternal life. Many believers feel that loving God is easy, but add qualifiers and conditions for loving others.
“Loving Everyone” includes those who have despitefully used you, attempted to defame your character, and abandoned, or abused you. Everyone is the 8 billion plus people that live on the planet Earth. Loving others unconditionally reveals that our hearts are overflowing with Agape love.
Our role model is Jesus. In His earthly life, Jesus was hated by the majority of the Jewish leaders who not only schemed everyday to kill Him, but also attempted to entrap Him by asking questions which appeared to have no correct or acceptable answer. Jesus proved that loving others despite their hatred is possible.
God is Love! Yes, God, the Father knew the majority of people would reject the gifts of His precious Son and Salvation, still, Jesus humbly, lovingly, and willingly gave His life for us. Are we willing to walk in the Loving footsteps of Christ by asking God to teach us how to love?
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” -1 John 4:11
Lord God, we ask you to teach us how to love as You love us. And we ask for forgiveness for not loving others as you love. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional — March 16, 2025
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8
“What more could He do? The Father loved us so much ‘that He gave His beloved Son’ (John 3:16).” Because of Redemption, we demonstrate our love for God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, God, the Son for their plan to save our souls through daily personal worship, surrender, and faithful obedience.
Prayer is our connection to Jesus who is still serving humanity as our Heavenly Intercessor [Jesus receives our prayers], Forgives our sins, and Mediates for us. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'” (John 14:6).
Daily worship includes consecrating oneself to a sacrificial life—living a Christ-centered, faith-based life. Surrendering our desires in exchange for God’s plans is the greatest challenge in our Journey with Jesus. Although we are gifted with self-control, we must pray for the Divine Strength to overcome temptation.
Worship invites the Holy Spirit to convict our hearts when pursuing our desires and allows us to receive in-depth wisdom to understand and appreciate God’s greatest gift to humanity, The Plan of Redemption. Humility is the spiritual catalyst required to actively participate with the Holy Spirit to receive spiritual wisdom and character transformation.
“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12
Christianity is much more than attending church every week. Our salvation requires continuous cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We cannot change ourselves! Heart conversion begins our spiritual journey. Sanctification is the spiritual lifelong process of daily spiritual growth and character transformation.
Yes, the Holy Spirit performs our transformation, but God also requires the human effort of faith, obedience, and works: “Those who have genuine love for God will manifest an earnest desire to know His will and to do it.” Personal worship demonstrates our love for God which is revealed by separating ourselves from life’s distractions to enter into His presence [at least twice a day].
“We have the responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to live out our faith with humility and reverence, recognizing that God is the Source of our salvation and ability to live a life pleasing to Him.” Without the commitment to faithfully seek God through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, the depth of Christ’s amazing love for humanity cannot be understood, nor will we desire to seek and fulfill God’s plans.
“Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” — John 15:4 (Good News Translation)
We desperately need Jesus to live as overcomers. It is the transforming power of God’s Spoken Words that keeps us grounded and faithful in our relationship with Christ. Scriptural knowledge must include the Life of Christ with an emphasis on His Righteous Character. Still, knowledge alone cannot save us, discipline, self-control, surrender, and obedience demonstrate our willingness to live as faithful followers [disciples] of Christ.
“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion]” (Luke 5:16). Christ revealed the importance of solitude to maintain His connection to God through prayer. Many believers do not feel that Jesus lived as a human being with limitations as we have, the Scriptures prove that Jesus did not possess the same Divine power on earth as He possessed in heaven.
Jesus’ question to Peter at the time of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals that Christ was 100% human and had to depend on God, the Father for the strength to live Holy and to perform miracles: “Or Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).
We have the same access to God’s Divine Power as Jesus did in His earthly life. How do we accomplish this? “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ ” (Matthew 22:37).
Loving God is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We study the Bible to know who He is and maintain our earth-to-heaven connection to Him through much prayer. From studying “The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John” we gain an intimate, heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. Heartfelt love and faith combined with Biblical knowledge allows us to fall in love with Yeshua and our response will be to do His will.
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). Yes, without fail, Jesus loves us, but He also clarifies that He must be our first love. Without committing John chapters 16-21 to memory and reflecting on Jesus’ sacrificial gift every day, Calvary’s Cross will not have a life-transforming impact on our hearts. Jesus’ greatest gift to you and me will only be perceived as a historical event. What more could He do?
A Time to Reflect: When we first accepted Christ as our personal Savior, we were excited and readily shared our decision and commitment to becoming a Christian. As time passed, the journey became tough. We had to choose right over wrong, truth instead of worldviews, and we succumbed to the busyness of life. The believer’s lifestyle involves a daily decision to resist the temptations that interfere with the personal worship required to strengthen our relationship with Christ.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8
What more can we do? For Christ to remain our First Love requires intentionality, courage, and time management. Our spiritual perception must be highly sensitized to recognize the desires, interruptions, distractions, and screen time that threaten to keep us from inviting the presence of God into our lives. Consistent worship invites the Holy Spirit to shower us with the blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength that we desperately need to renounce sin.
From the Earth’s beauty that is still intact and the progression of technology, we know that God desires us to be well-rounded—possessing a diverse set of skills, experiences, and interests. Even so, our highest priority is to remain a steadfast Christian amidst the constant presence of evil. Without hesitation, we learn to say No to time-wasting activities that do not enhance our spiritual and personal growth.
“Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes.” —Isaiah 5:1-2
“What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?” —Isaiah 5:4
The parable identifies our spiritual status of whether we are good grapes or wild grapes. Every day our decisions, habits, and lifestyles demonstrate love for Christ or love for ourselves. Only the good grapes seek to do more for Christ through a sacrificial life of faithful dedication.
God gave His beloved Son, Jesus to save our souls by giving us the option of choosing Redemption and living forever in the New Heaven and New Earth. Now Jesus asks, “What more can I do for humanity?” “It is finished!”
Lord God, we surrender ourselves to Your perfect will. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and dying on Calvary. Thank You for giving us the option to overcome sin and choose a life of righteousness. We realize that You have given Your all. Lord, we pray for the desire and strength to love You by faithfully doing our part through daily consecration. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares – Sabbath Devotional – February 28, 2025
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” —Matthew 5:17
The Ten Commandments [Exodus 20], God’s Moral Law not only gives us the attributes of a righteous character but also reveals God’s boundaries for our behaviors and lifestyles. The Fruit of the Spirit is the Character of Christ: “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).
Although our nation’s laws were originally developed from the Ten Commandments, compromised values have introduced plea bargaining, and loopholes, yet, God’s Commandments and Righteous Precepts are valid [only the ceremonial sacrificial law of animals has been abolished]. With love, God reminds us, “I do not change” so we are not deceived by false teachings that His Law was done away with or nailed to the cross.
“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6: 20
“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 4:9-10
Many Christians do not understand the relentless love required of God to give His Only Son, Jesus, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead to become human and suffer on this earth to save our souls. And we certainly do not understand our active role in our salvation, or we would faithfully seek and obey God’s will and plans every day.
“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” (Romans 12:1, NIV). With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.
“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). Living sacrificial lives is revealed through the spoken words, Lord, I surrender myself to You, I ask You to reveal your plans for today. And then we actively work on our salvation by obeying God instead of fulfilling our desires.
“Abraham said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’ ” —Genesis 22:5
Abraham teaches us that faithful obedience is our highest worship to God. Putting God first is essential for living a life of faith-driven obedience. Our response to the mercies of a new day in a morning prayer of consecration reveals that we love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
” ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” —Luke 22: 42-44
Although Abraham’s obedience to sacrifice Isaac, his only son [whom he loved with all of his heart] is perceived as the most difficult test of faith, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of faithful obedience when He died on Calvary’s Cross to fulfill the Plan of Redemption.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV
Saved by grace is a privilege, graciously gifted to us by God. Our salvation is based on faith in Christ and obedience to God. “If you love me keep my Commandments.” Disobedience has devastating consequences on our character. Living outside of God’s will changes our mindset, we lose our spiritual perception and easily choose sinful compromise over righteousness.
“…Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16
Throughout the Bible, we have evidence that God has always required the human effort of faith and obedience. Living holy is impossible without Christ’s strength. We need help to overcome our thoughts, choices, and lifestyles that reflect the carnal desires of our hearts. Think of your life as a Spiritual Journey with Jesus Christ. Pray for help! “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
“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
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” —2 Timothy 1:7
God developed the battle plan to overcome our sinful tendencies. We are not helpless in the fight between good and evil. Satan cannot coerce or force us to disobey God. From the moment we are tempted, the Holy Spirit alerts us through our thoughts we are facing a sinful situation. We begin to feel uneasy within our spirit. At that moment, we pray for strength and use our self-control by proclaiming, I will not sin against God, or we ignore the warning and choose to sin.
God’s Love is Relentless! Loving God produces appreciation for His faithfulness and propels us to consecrate ourselves daily to live holy, obedient, and sacrificial lives. From our willingness to obey, Jesus empowers us with His supernatural strength. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the guidance to live as Victorious Overcomers preparing for the Second Coming of our Triumphant King.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many [a]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
Lord God, we thank You for Your relentless love and ask for the strength to overcome our internal desires and fight against the external opposition to separate us from You. We love You and consecrate ourselves to strive for righteousness as we prepare daily for Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’Holy Name, Amen.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16
The Spiritual Definition of Unrequited Love: “In a spiritual context, unrequited love refers to a one-sided, unreciprocated love that is given by God for humanity, but that love is not returned or acknowledged by the object of affection [humanity].
Are we certain that we are not in an unrequited love relationship with God? We have the assurance that God loves us, but what is our response to His love? We must love God beyond spoken words to receive eternal life. “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
Because God is Sovereign, He predetermined humanity’s appropriate response to receiving His love and salvation. We must serve Him with surrender and faithful obedience to demonstrate our love and loyalty. Our response of obedience is our highest form of worship and demonstrates reverence for Yahweh. Without obedience, we do not have a love relationship with Christ who is our Mediator between us and God, the Father.
An Unrequited Love Relationship Between Human Beings exists when Love is given to an individual who does not return the giver’s love.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” —1 John 4:7-8, NIV
Have you loved someone with everything you have and at some point, the person exhibited signs that they did not love you? When Christian believers experience this dilemma, it is a spiritual dilemma. We do not fall asleep one night and awaken the next morning not loving God and our family. The individual who verbalizes, “I just don’t love you anymore” has been disconnected from God for a while.
When the love of God ceases to exist, carnal feelings overpower and rule the heart, therefore the qualities of Christ-like love no longer exist in the hearts of spouses, the anticipated wedding is called off, and best friends part ways for no apparent reason.
If we cannot understand how Christians lose interest in the people who love them, it is an issue of the heart, they have lost interest in God. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). We must be intentional in maintaining our heart-to-heart connection with God. Without meaningful worship, the desire to serve God easily diminishes.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13
We are impacted by our environment to seek success and to pursue whatever makes us happy. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t require much for us to embrace worldly practices. We cannot subdue our heart’s desires without the power of God. The once loyal believer transitions to an unbelieving believer [acknowledging God’s existence but no spiritual connection to God].
Sadly, the dissolution of marriages and long-term relationships has escalated in the Christian community. Many Instagram posts reveal the hurt and anger of spouses, fiancés, and friends who are attempting to move forward from experiencing the devastating heartbreak of unrequited love. Reading the emotional responses that arise from lost love is quite shocking, yet, even when suffering the greatest disappointment, as believers, we cannot justify possessing a heart overflowing with malice.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].” —Ephesians 4:31, Amplified Bible
When our best is not appreciated, we feel devalued and grief easily escalates into anger, bitterness, resentment, and depression. Although we have immense love and devotion for God, even steadfast believers struggle with controlling the aftermath of roller coaster emotions from heartbreak.
The true challenge lies in maintaining a heart filled with love. Overcoming the escalation of carnal feelings requires much prayer asking for Divine strength. When love ends, we need Divine help to empower our self-control to resist plummeting into an abyss of dark emotions.
Nothing is hidden from God! “I, Yahweh, search the heart; I test the inmost being, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10).
Unrequited love hurts! We cannot deceive God who knows the true condition of our hearts. Pray an honest prayer of confession and forgiveness, “God, I am angry, hurt, resentful…” Forgive and pray for the person who failed to return your love and redirect your focus from yourself to God. Asking God to reveal His plan for moving forward keeps us connected in our time of emotional distress.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Acknowledging that you still love the person is a healthy response that prevents the entry of unforgiveness. Obeying the command to forgive is crucial because our character traits determine our destiny. God commands that we love and forgive those who hurt us. Pray! The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to love even when experiencing extreme emotional pain.
“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].” —Psalm 147:3, [Amplified Bible]
Love and Forgiveness are the spiritual catalysts to receive healing. Jesus asks, “…Will you be made whole?” (John 5:6). Thankfully, God promises to heal our broken hearts. We have a compassionate Heavenly Father who knows and understands the pain of a wounded heart. Surely, God endured heartbreak to see His Son on the cross and mocked and despised by those He came to save. Because emotional pain impacts our relationship with Jesus Christ, our spirit of forgiveness invites God to begin a journey of healing that includes receiving Jesus’ Divine Strength and Comfort.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:28-29, NRSV
Do not allow yourself to become hard-hearted! It is better to cry a river of tears and express immense sorrow than to become bitter and resentful. All is not lost! God promises to heal and restore joy to our hearts. Our Loving Father is compassionate and kind. The duration of our journey of healing is determined by God who never requires us to hurry up and heal.
Pray as often as needed and study the Scriptures, especially the life of Christ. Ask God every day for the courage and strength to keep moving forward even when performing routine duties. The perplexities of emotional healing remain a mystery, yet, we know that faith and trust in God lightens the heavy burden of sorrow, and day by day, we become stronger through Christ.
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” —Psalm 86:5, NIV
Have you hurt someone? Believe that God loves you! The Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience when we have inflicted emotional, mental, or physical pain on others. Confession and repentance are vital to be in the right standing with God. Seek the forgiveness of those you have hurt. “To change, we must desire change, and surrender our hearts to God who changes us through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Those who inflicted severe pain on their loved ones are still loved by God. Asking the person/people for forgiveness is the first step that God requires before we confess and repent [Matthew 5:23-24]. Yes, there are extenuating circumstances [court orders, deceased, or unknown location] that prevent one from contacting the person or people who suffered. Even so, with a contrite spirit, pray for forgiveness, and ask God to touch and heal the hearts of those who were impacted by your actions.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” —Philippians 3:13
“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
Before Saul’s spiritual transformation to the apostle Paul, he was responsible for most of the deaths of the early Christian believers. The apostle Paul is proof that God redeems and restores. God used Paul to establish 14 churches and write most of the New Testament while imprisoned. We cannot carry a load of guilt. Move forward by praying for the Holy Spirit to transform your heart into one of unconditional love. God redeems and restarts our spiritual journey with the expectation that we will love as Christ and reflect His love to others.
“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. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Because our perception of love varies, we must learn and practice God’s Righteous definition of love toward all people. We invite the Holy Spirit to teach us how to love, including loving those who reject us. We always forgive and pray for those practicing unrequited love, but we also exit the relationship or marriage if the spouse or friend refuses to restore their love relationship with God.
Agape love is the love that is the foundation of our heart-to-heart connection with God and imparts health and happiness to the giver and receiver. The Christian home is to be filled with love, joy, and peace. Unrequited love creates an environment void of love, causes suffering, fosters hate, and is not blessed by God. The atmosphere of our homes should reflect God’s love and peace which is needed to maintain a viable [thriving, growing daily] love relationship with Christ which is our priority.
“For I will restore you to health, And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares Yahweh…” —Jeremiah 30:17
Our fractured earthly relationships may never be restored, but God keeps His promises. With joyful expectation, we exercise faith to believe our emotional wounds will be healed. Yeshua [Jesus] is the Spiritual Balm who heals us completely by giving us a new heart without residual scars and freeing us from all guilt and remorse. Yes and Amen, I am a living witness that God restores and heals broken hearts.
We are looking forward to the day when unrequited love relationships will not exist. But until then, we invite the Holy Spirit to flood our hearts with Agape love and move forward in faith. Our Savior’s earthly ministry focused on healing, which always required faith in God’s power, and today, Jesus says, “I have loved you with everlasting love, have faith in Me, and I will heal you.”
“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
Lord God, we thank You for being a healer of broken hearts. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Please share this Devotional with anyone who is impacted by an unrequited love relationship. Peace and Blessings.
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