Love – Page 9 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

“The Power of One”Sermon -Pastor Mark Finley

The sermon begins at 5:06.

Jesus, Our Divine Helper

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – September 20, 2024

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” —Hebrews 13:5

Love, joy, peace, and happiness are God’s Divine gifts to every Christian believer. Sadly, these gifts are often not enjoyed by the followers of Christ. Two prevalent reasons prevent us from enjoying God’s abundant love and blessings: We do not know God, the Father’s Loving and Righteous Character [failure to study the Bible] and We have placed our confidence in human perception and reasoning, which is quite limited. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9).

For three years, I missed out on the monetary rewards my insurance company offered their subscribers. One day, I received an email that stated, “You are missing out on Free benefits.” When I set aside the time to research the reward section of the website, I was shocked at my loss, yet, I was determined to move forward. This year, I am participating and have completed 90% of the requirements [I receive $120 a year for 30 minutes of activity 10 days a month, quarterly rewards to purchase OTC products, and $15 to complete a wellness visit with my physician, etc.] Once I possessed knowledge of the perks, I decided to opt in and so far, have received $300.

How well do you know God’s Divine Character? Without diligent study of the Bible, we cannot have a healthy and joyful relationship with Christ who has promised to take care of us. Lack of knowledge results in missed blessings. No, not all of our blessings are monetary. We can live a mistake-free life by praying and relying on Divine Guidance. Our willingness to seek and obey God eliminates all consequences that result from “thinking our own thoughts” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Plight of Humanity: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Jesus’ Promise to Always Help Us: “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

The level of Divine help available to the faithful believer is unlimited. When we reflect on Jesus giving His life for us then our gratitude is expressed in surrender, obedience, and steadfast faith. If we humble ourselves and pray, we receive Christ’s Intervention every day. Cooperation with Divinity is required to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Never forget God’s priority is to save our souls—Revelation 22:12.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17

God, we thank You for Your faithfulness and unfailing love. As we travel in our journey of life, we pray to align our will and desires with Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

David Phelps – As The Deer Hymn – Worship Music Video

Prayers that you will enjoy this most beautiful hymn of worship that brings you into the presence of God. Amen.

The Prayer of Moses

In our daily prayers, may we always pray for God to bless others before we ask for blessings for ourselves. Peace and Blessings

Humility to God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 16, 2024

“…God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time…” —1 Peter 5:5-6

Humility is not an innate character trait. As an infant matures into the toddler stage, they portray defiance against most things. The toddler stage is one of the most trying and critical stages of psychological development. If parents do not set boundaries then they will nurture the defiance, and defiant children mature into defiant adults.

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

“God sets up resistance to proud people. Pride, a grave sin in Scripture, is the foundation of other sinful actions. Lucifer exemplified pride when he raged against God (Isaiah 14:12–15), and the first humans displayed pride by disregarding God’s explicit command (Genesis 3:1–7).” Got questions.org

“The Israelites’ persistent struggles with God were often rooted in their pride and unbelief (see Exodus 32:1–6; Hosea 13:6; Amos 4:1–5). Whenever humans sin, their actions can be traced back to a rejection of God and His commands, which is a manifestation of pride.” Got questions.org.

We became followers of Christ to be transformed into His likeness (His Righteous Character), to surrender in faithful obedience, and one day receive our reward of eternal life. Personally, I desire more than living an earthly life infiltrated by corruption, social injustice, and the promotion of the Capitalism credo to be successful and rich.

‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” —John 14:1-3

Have you reached a point in your Christian journey where you desire what Christ promises? Humility requires loving Christ, obeying God, and serving Him with steadfast faith and heartfelt obedience. Daily we reverence God by praying for His will to be done in our lives. The Holy Spirit communicates God’s will through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. God never coerces us to obey Him, we must make the decision to follow through in obedience.

Lord God, we desire to serve You. With humility, we pray and ask for Your will to be done in our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Worship Music – Sister Renee Lawrence – Trust His Heart

Good and Lovely Thoughts

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8, NIV

There are many changes that have occurred in the six decades that I have been alive, some good and many not so good. One practice that has virtually disappeared is the giving and exchange of compliments among adults, especially women. In fact, the typical reaction of most recipients of a compliment is silence.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Is the giving and cordial receiving of compliments part of a lost era or rules of etiquette that were never learned? Have we forgotten how to extend ourselves to make others feel good? Even so, God’s expectation is for Christians to express genuine thoughts and spoken words that reveal “God is love.”

There are various possibilities as to why we have ceased to give positive and thoughtful praise to others; even so, the most logical explanation is that we possess a negative outlook because we do not have a loving heart.

Have you thought about the type of thoughts that dominate your mind and how those thoughts impact your way of life? Our thoughts dictate our behaviors and actions. If negative thoughts permeate your mind, then it is not possible to feel good about yourself or others.

How does negativity impact your relationship with God? It is not possible to really exercise faith and trust in God or to be thankful and possess joy when our thoughts and moods fluctuate according to our circumstances.

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

We are reminded to think on and possess thoughts which are excellent and praiseworthy. So, if the circumstances of life have shaped your character and you are a negative person then God has provided the answer for change, pray prayers of gratitude. The transition of thinking altogether-lovely thoughts has many positive benefits with the most important is that your character is molded to prepare you for Eternal life.

God is in the business of changing our characters! Start your journey by giving God positive praises everyday: Prayers of Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship with Songs and Uplifting Inspirational Music and study His Word, the Holy Bible to learn how deep His love is for you.

Identify your qualities and embrace positive thoughts about yourself. Begin to give yourself compliments on the small accomplishments that you make on a daily basis. This is a process that builds a positive self-image and self-esteem. God desires for us to embrace that He created us in His image, and are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

It is wonderful to live with a spirit of thanksgiving–a positive way of life emerges–your connection with God remains consistent, you begin to love yourself as God loves you, and you are able to readily extend gracious compliments to others.

Jesus Christ, God, the Son created us with unique features from the texture of our hair to the fingerprints that represent His love and creativity. We are created from Agape love that validates our existence and value. It is a beautiful life and it wouldn’t be complete without you or other people in it!

God, we thank you for all of the wonderful blessings. Help us to appreciate Your love, grace, and mercy. We ask for Your strength as we strive to transition from a negative mindset to a positive life filled with gratitude and praise. In Jesus’ name, we pray in faith. Amen.

2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Evidence of Our Love and Loyalty to God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 13, 2024

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” —John 10:27-30

What is Love and Loyalty to God? What does it mean to hear Christ’s Voice? What is the evidence proving we are preparing for eternal life? What are the characteristics and the righteous lifestyle demonstrating that God is first in our lives?

God Is LOVE: Jesus’ Command to All Believers: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” —Matthew 22:37-39

God’s Command to All Believers: “Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

The Test of Knowing God—”First, get to know God properly by coming into a right relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Don’t make assumptions where your salvation is concerned.” AngieBroks

Every day, We Pursue Righteousness—”For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Seeking God’s will is of the utmost importance and reflects whether or not we serve Him with surrender and faithful obedience.
Jesus is Our First Love—”For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Daniel prayed three times a day to ensure he stayed in God’s will. We pray and obey: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands” (1 John 2:3).
We Pray Continuously for Guidance: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). “Jesus often withdrew to secluded places to pray alone, including in the morning, on mountains, and in gardens.”
Study the Scriptures: “Study to show youself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible is the Voice of God. God’s expectations of us, His commands, the righteous characteristics we must possess, and the Christian lifestyle are identified in the Holy Scriptures.
Strive for Christ’s Righteousness and Character: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:22-26).
We Hate Sin and Love the Sinner—”Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9). Our role is to pray for others, not to focus on their sinful lifestyles. We demonstrate Agape love [God’s Unconditional Love] through kindness to everyone including our enemies.

In Our Christian Journey, We Face Two Great Challenges: Consistently Loving God and Loving Others

God’s Love and Sacrificial Offering for Sinful Humanity: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). Loving God is understanding that He is Love. He gave Jesus, His only Son to save our souls.

Love Every One! Our Righteousness is Nothing: For those who judge others and fail to realize that Christians are also sinners saved by grace who chose to surrender and give our hearts to God, God says, “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). With humility, we acknowledge every day that we must be covered with the Righteousness of Christ to be saved from sin.

Only those who possess hearts filled with love and loyalty for God and love for others will receive the reward of Eternal life, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

Evidence of Our Love and Loyalty to God: “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” —John 3:21

Lord God, we ask You to search our hearts and reveal all character traits preventing us from possessing unconditional love for You and others. In Jesus’ Holy and Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Recognizing [Covert] Spiritual Warfare Designed to Separate You From God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 9, 2024

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind…” —James 1:5-6, BSB

“In the life of a Christian believer there are no coincidences, luck, karma, or ‘out of nowhere, it just happened.’ ” Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

We know this because, in Psalm 91, God says, “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:9-11).

Our lives are monitored under God’s Omnipotence [Power] and Omniscience [Knowledge]. Not only are we protected by guardian angels who consistently obey Jesus Christ, the Commander of Angel Armies, but nothing arises in our lives without Jesus’ permission. Satan is restrained by the power of God when attempting to wreak havoc in our lives. [Read Job chapter 1 for God’s boundaries on Satan during Job’s tribulations].

The Conditions of Participation God Requires of Believers

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ ” —Psalm 91:1-2

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” —John 15:5

Because we were created with free will of choice, God never coerces us to love and serve Him, yet, we must cooperate with Divinity to receive God’s blessings and protection against our greatest enemy and his evil surmisings. We cannot live as victorious overcomers without Divine Intervention. Abiding in Christ requires faith, daily surrender, obedience, much prayer, and knowledge of the Scriptures which are the Voice of God.

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

The Whole Armor of God
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” —Ephesians 6:10-13

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul compares our spiritual journey to a Roman soldier who was always prepared to fight in their many battles. Our weapons: Prayer and diligent Bible study. We intentionally keep ourselves in the presence of God by whispering prayers throughout our waking hours. Memorize Scriptures of God’s promises and protection. Study the book of Joshua.

The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures and our thoughts and alerts us of spiritual and physical danger. Have you experienced discomfort or not feeling right when facing a given situation? That is the Holy Spirit’s warning that all is not well, and you should walk away. Safety comes from praying before you make decisions, even in the routine activities of daily life, we should seek God’s guidance.

Qualities and Habits Required of Christian Soldiers

Knowing Jesus’ Character. Study the Four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Knowing God’s Righteous Principles and Standards for Pursuing Righteous Living: “Be holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Study the book of Philippians.
Do what is Right! Never compromise under pressure or give in to those with “bad characters” who attempt to influence your walk with Christ. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear [timidity], but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Pray without ceasing [Never stop praying, ESV]” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. In His earthly life, Jesus prayed constantly, always seeking God, the Father’s will. Pray over every aspect of your life. God is our Guide and Protector, always giving us perfect outcomes.
Study the Bible every day. When Christ was tempted, He quoted the Scriptures,”Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test ‘” (Matthew 4:7, ESV). “This would amount to testing God to keep His Word, instead of obeying God by following His will…” Bible Reference

Enoch, Elijah, Job, Abraham, Esther, Mary, Daniel, and Paul are examples of those who lived according to the will of God. Even when we fall into temptation because we fail to pray and obey, God forgives and comforts us: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8).

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

God, we thank You for being our Heavenly Father who loves us with everlasting love and always forgives and guides us on the Path of Righteousness. Forgive us for our disobedience when we choose self-reliance which opposes Your Perfect will and Your Sovereignty. We ask for wisdom as we seek knowledge. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Happy, Cheerful, and Joyful In Christ

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 5, 2024

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” —Psalm 16:11

THOSE WHO ABIDE IN JESUS will be happy, cheerful, and joyful in God. A subdued gentleness will mark the voice, reverence for spiritual and eternal things will be expressed in the actions, and music, joyful music, will echo from the lips; for it is wafted (conveyed) from the throne of God. This is the mystery of godliness, not easily explained, but nonetheless felt and enjoyed. EGW

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26, NLT

A stubborn and rebellious heart can close its doors to all the sweet influences of the grace of God and all the joy in the Holy Spirit, but the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. EGW

Lord God, we thank You for Your amazing grace. May we continue to embrace Your loving-kindness and reflect Your love in our interaction with others. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions