“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
Bible Study: Psalms 23 and 27
God, thank you for giving your Son, Jesus to die for us that we may have eternal life. Jesus, we thank you for your great sacrifice and for being our Shepherd. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Can you imagine falling in love with your soulmate? The excitement and feelings from being in a love relationship with another person are second only to our love relationship with Jesus Christ. But as time passes, your “soulmate” is not as enthusiastic and appears emotionally detached. You ask, “Are you okay?” to which he or she may blame it on feeling tired or involvement in a stressful situation. Usually, soon after that conversation, you receive the sad news that things are not working out, they are not ready for a serious relationship.
How did their feelings change so fast? Why didn’t you see it coming? The Red Flags were evident. Because of your commitment and ability to give unconditional love, you were blinded. Unfortunately, you were the only one who gave 100% commitment, and now you are dealing with the heartbreak of a love no more, and the stages of grief that accompany a broken heart. Many of us know this story quite well. Even so, “He heals the brokenhearted, and bind up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
When we enter into a relationship with God, we are saved from sin through Jesus Christ. We may not realize that it takes 100% total commitment to worship and serve God. Still, God’s standards have no leeway or a gray area.
Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14.
Listen, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Deuteronomy 6:4
We are depressed, anxious, and worried because our perception of God differs from who God says He is. We give to God the time that we think He deserves. Most of us would never believe that we do not give God 100% commitment. Red Flags: How often are we studying the Bible or communicating with God through prayer? When do we give time or money to help those in need?
We do not see ourselves as desperate people who need God for our existence. Our mindset of self-sufficiency and independence becomes evident in times of prosperity. Those are the times we smile, laugh, and have joy because all-is-well. Yes, we are thrilled in the good times as we proclaim that “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.”
What prevents us from being committed to our love relationship?
We worship many idols: Self, jobs, material things, pleasure-seeking activities, people, etc. These are the distractions that consume our time and indicate who or what is the priority in our lives. But God being the loving Father that He is, takes action to redirect our focus. Yes, it is God who reminds us that we need Him.
Our true perception of God is revealed when the bitter trials and seasons of darkness invade our peaceful existence. Do we proclaim that God is good? Are we thanking God for His grace and mercies during challenging times? Does adversity make us wipe the dust off from our Bible to search for God’s promises to deliver us? “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27. Are these the times that we fall on bended knees with fervent prayer?
The “I Am” requires wholehearted commitment: And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5
We cannot have an emotional roller-coaster [based on the high and low times] relationship with God. Whether we are in good times or stormy trials, we must stay committed to our Jealous God by giving Him our whole heart. God sets the standard for the level of commitment that He is willing to accept. Our priority is Godbecause He is the Lord alone.
There is a sweet peace that is always present when our heart is 100% committed to God. We have the advantage that God will never leave us or forsake us. He remains 100% committed to humanity. God created us from love, in His image. We are the recipients of Jesus’ blood sacrifice, and God’s gifts of grace, mercy, and provisions. And for this, God deserves our everything!
And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Bible Study: Deuteronomy 6
God, we say thank you for setting the standard for serving you. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. We desire to give you 100% commitment from today forward. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of Jesus. Amen.
As believers, we have many advantages. God has given us spiritual insight, which allows us to view and live from a deeper perspective based on His love. The earth is filled with beauty and diversity. Nature is full of flowers and trees of various colors, shapes, and sizes that we admire. Landscape photography and art remain a high point of interest for most individuals.
But then a different perspective arises when the diversity is evident among humanity. We love and appreciate the animal kingdom’s various species, but we separate and segregate human beings based on outward appearance, social, and economic status.
Biases and prejudice against one another are historically documented throughout the Bible.
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married, for he had married an Ethiopian woman. Numbers 12:1
The Samaritan woman said to him, you are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink for Jews do not associate with Samaritans? John 4:9
Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.” Acts 10:28
Many individuals claim that they love God, yet they “dislike” other individuals based on race, ethnicity, social, and economic status. More surprising are the “believers” who harbor hate against their brother or sister or intentionally ignore racism because they feel it is not their responsibility to speak out against society’s injustice. Yes, it is our responsibility!
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s cause, Isaiah 1:17.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8.
Biases and prejudice are clearly against the harmonious relationships that God intended for us to have with each other. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. 1 John 4:20. God has also made it clear that He will not condone hatred among human beings. Our hearts may be full of dark secrets, but we cannot hide our true feelings from God. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 1 Corinthians 6:9
Because we tend to overlook certain scriptures, God addresses the age-old issue of racism in Acts, the 10th chapter. Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35.
It is time for us to declare “zero tolerance” for the war of humans against humans based on the diversity that God established. Yes, God is the Master Artist who was pleased by His creativity (read Genesis 1). Love for others is a command, not an option. The Amplified version of 1 Corinthians 13:1 states: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].
What change can one individual make? With 7.9 billion people in the world, one plus one adds up. We are not a box of Crayola crayons. We must cease using color adjectives to describe others. We can say, “The man in the blue shirt” instead of verbalizing “the black or white man.”
Pray and search your heart for eternal life deal-breakers of prejudice, biases, and the “isms”. Please know that in the New Heaven and New Earth, sin will not exist. We are not allowed to define sin: God defines dislike for one another as hatred. Diversity is not an issue of learning or faking acceptance of differences. It is loving and honoring God who created all of humanity in His image. If God was pleased with His creation, do we have a choice?
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11
Bible Study: 1 John 4
God, we ask forgiveness for not loving one another as you have commanded. It is our desire to do our part in demonstrating that you created all of humanity in your image. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of Jesus. Amen.
Documentaries that tell the stories of the way of life outside of modern cities are fascinating. The villages in the most remote areas of a country portray the resilience of the human spirit and the unlimited capabilities of the mind. Although the people survive with minimal resources and life is harsh, one crucial factor stands out. They realize their dependency on each other.
When studying the Creation, we become aware that God never intended for us to be alone, functioning in isolation. “Then the Lord God said, it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18. The DIY, do-it-yourself mindset produces a lot of burdens and stress that are self-inflicted. God’s plan was not the current trend of looking out for number one. We were never meant to endure loneliness, which is the root of depression, anxiety, and worries that have escalated to pandemic levels.
Challenge the current trend of being self-contained, and totally independent of others. Isolating yourself or your family does not lead to a spiritual self-actualization (because that status is not achievable).
In other words, self-actualization can generally be thought of as the full realization of one’s creative, intellectual, and social potential through internal drive (versus for external rewards like money, status, or power). Since self-actualization is based on leveraging one’s abilities to reach their potential, it is a very individual process and will probably vary significantly from person to person. https://positivepsychology.com/self-actualization/
We defeat God’s purpose for our lives when we follow our thoughts and ways.“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8. Please know that self-seeking behaviors and the pursuit of independence are not the keys to having a success story. Financial gain is useless when you are alone without human companionship, which should be limited to those who can have healthy relationships. Having a spirit of selfishness wreaks havoc on our happiness and peace of mind. But we can rid ourselves of the empty lives that result from the DIY Mindset.
We have many God-given gifts. The family extends beyond the biological barriers. Look for a food co-op, volunteer for churches and non-profits, attend virtual church services, or learn a new hobby or craft. People need each other. Recently, I located in a new city in Florida where everything is within walking distance. On my daily walk, I always get the chance to speak to someone. Although I have an outgoing personality, I do not have a social circle yet. So, technology is helping with that issue. Joining a couple of local FB pages keeps me informed of events and the needs of others in my community.
Jesus was human, yet, divine. His best friends were Mary, Martha, and Lazurus. When Jesus arrived at the home of his friends after Lazarus’ death, we are told, “Jesus wept.” John 11:35. This verse is profound because it provides us with biblical proof that Christ possessed human emotions. Despite the persecuting circumstances, He did not isolate from others. Jesus’ heart was tender and full of love for everyone. Still, Jesus did not stay in areas where rejection and hostility were prevalent. The scriptures tell us that He and the disciples left cities that refused to accept his ministry.
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture Psalm 100:3
From a spiritual perspective, the scriptures compare us to sheep. Were you aware that sheep cannot live without the shepherd? They are entirely dependent on the shepherd for everything. They require constant care and watching over. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11. Jesus paid a high price for us that we can live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me… John 10:14. Allow Jesus, our Shepherd, to lead your life. He knows what it feels like to be alone. Yes, when you dedicate your life to serve and please God, you may have to experience some “alone” times. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16.
Pray for a change of your current DIY mindset. Allow God to provide you with a new life, which includes bonding with people who love Him, others, and themselves and, who help those in need.
Bible Study: John 11
God, you know our emotional needs. Yet, we come, asking for the fulfilling life that you created us to have. Please reveal your divine purpose, and open the doors for the opportunities to help others. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
Our minds are distracted by our circumstances and events that are happening around us. Many of us have forgotten about the reward of eternal life and the Second Coming of Jesus.
The Contemporary English Version says “and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:” Philippians 2:5. Jesus always thought of pleasing God, and He knew how to please God because He loved God. He made it his purpose to worship His Father and to think, speak, and act to please God.
We can have complete peace whether we are in the valley lows or mountain highs. But we have to choose God and think about life from a spiritual perspective. Our moods and emotions should represent that we serve a loving and merciful God who provides for our every need.
I continue to travel throughout the world virtually. A documentary featured a country where there is great wealth. The narrator asked the wealthy stockbroker, “If you have accomplished everything that life could provide why do you worship an unseen God?” His response, “All of these things can disappear at any time. I cannot imagine my life without doing my part to have peace, which is only available on a spiritual level.”
Do not get caught up in thinking about what you do not have! When our thoughts are in sync with God, we praise and thank Him for all the things that God has blessed us with.
Other people know how to respond to their God. So it’s what you know that makes you worship. Sometimes you’re not feeling anything. So it’s what you know about the One Who bought you back from sin that governs your behavior. So worship is knowing Who God is, learning about God. And the more you learn Him and obey Him is the more you yield to Him. You want to respond to Him a certain way, in singing, in praying and in clapping, in meditating, in dancing, in having devotion. Those are the types of things you do unto your God. Every religion has some form of worship. So when we say lift your hands, we mean to give God what He desires and deserves. – Bishop Jackie McCullough
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
Bible Study: Philippians 4
God, we have lost our focus and purpose for serving you. We have allowed ourselves to become fixated on the circumstances surrounding us. Please help us to redirect our focus on you as we prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In the summer of 2001, I lived in the Catskill mountains for three months, working as a camp nurse. One day, I had some extra time and went to the Arts and Crafts lodge to look at the girls’ projects. It was then that I met a fascinating person, Matt, the Art Counselor. The young man shared his background and how he pursued a dream that left him estranged from his wealthy family. Matt was from California, a self-proclaimed hippie who was vegan, an activist, and did not use drugs or alcohol. Because of his long, sun-bleached blond hair, most people thought of him as a beach bum and avoided contact with someone they perceived as looking for a handout.
Matt invited me to sit down and continued sharing his story. As a young child, he began to draw landscapes and animals. Years later, one day at the beach, a beautiful young woman sat looking at the water with a sad expression, which prompted him to sketch the contrast of beauty and grief. Although hesitant, he walked over and handed her the picture. Because the drawing reflected the sadness of her soul, she encouraged him to pursue his talent. Matt shared that hearing her positive words was the catalyst to starting his own business.
Then the focus turned to me, “If I had money to start a business what would it be?” I laughed, stating that would not be possible. But Matt was persistent. He told me to think about something that I was very good at and develop my talent into a business. It took me a minute to look beyond my creative abilities, and finally, I mentioned that I had tutored several of my classmates while in nursing school. And that was the motivation to begin my educational tutoring business for nursing students and nursing program graduates struggling with their classes and those who failed the licensure exam.
God has given each of us spiritual and natural gifts that remain unexplored for various reasons. Meeting Matt was an eye-opening experience. He insisted that discovering my purpose would add a new dimension to my life. All of us have dreams because God gave us the ability to dream. One of the significant obstacles in pursuing our goals is that we share them with the wrong people who discourage us with toxic words.
Yes, it was hard work to learn how to develop a business and marketing plan. The research revealed many tutoring competitors. How could I compete with the established tutors? That question almost stopped me from moving forward. But I prayed for guidance, and God answered my prayer. All of the tutoring companies were in brick-and-mortar locations. My niche was that I would travel to the clients at the closest bookstore or library and include the mileage in the contractual fee. I also tutored virtually via the Messenger app. After twelve years of successfully helping others to become Registered Nurses, I fulfilled my goal to give back to the nursing profession. Did I mention that I was in my mid-forties when I pursued my dream as an entrepreneur? I started my business with $500 and God’s blessing of approval. He said yes!
Our relationship with God has the potential for unlimited growth. The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, “Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name. Isaiah 65:1. God is available to us at any time of the day or night. We spend our time getting to know people for possible relationships, which may or may not work out. Please remember, we have a guaranteed relationship with God when we do our part because He can never fail us.
Whoever said, “Life is hard, and then you die” did not have a relationship with the Trinity Godhead, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God did not create us to live empty, meaningless lives, nor is He the “Punisher” that Satan portrays Him to be. God created a beautiful world complete with vibrant colors, oceans, and natural wonders that should bring us to our knees in praise and worship. So, if we are created in God’s image, then He has blessed us with spiritual gifts and creative talents. Our lives will always involve struggle. But as long as we have breath, we can move forward, to build and to rebuild.
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
Present your plans to God in prayer. When our desires align with His plans, we see miracles unfold, and our dreams come to fruition. Talk to God first, and ask Him to direct you to the right people who will offer positive feedback and realistic direction to pursue your goals. You should do it!
Bible Study: Acts 16 tells us about Lydia, a wealthy woman from selling purple cloth. Remember that most women did not have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs in biblical times.
God, we admit that we are sharing our dreams and goals with everyone except you. Please reveal the path for our lives and bring the right people into our lives that we may achieve the plans you have for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
The Big Chop is part 1 of a series to identify and eliminate external and internal factors that distract us and keep us from achieving spiritual growth and maturity.
Have you ever consoled yourself by asking, “I am a good person, why are all of these bad things happening to me?” Since each of us is as unique as our fingerprints, so are our circumstances. Many internal and external factors influence the challenges in our lives. Because there are variables, we will approach these factors because they impact our spiritual relationship with God.
Looking at the external factors is demanding and takes honesty. We must take a stand and possess the willingness to identify the people, places, and things that are causing chaos and lack of growth and maturity in our lives. Let’s look at the most influential external factor, the people that we have invited into our intimate social circle. The New American Standard Bible tells us: Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14.
Many who who say they are believers have the character of unbelievers. How is that possible? Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Galatians 5:24. They acknowledge that there is God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, but they live for self easily giving into the things that please themselves.
The Apostle Paul identifies the most pertinent underlying external factor that deters (hinders) us from following God: You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? Galatians 5:7. Without a doubt, the people we share our innermost thoughts, laugh, and hang out with can influence us to think, act, and live outside of God’s established boundaries.
Serving God is not easy: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.…James 1:2-3
It will be difficult to make a list of the friends or family that God requires us to distance ourselves from. But I can assure you that if your prayer is to “let God’s will be done in your life,” then God is going to take action if we do not. No, none of us have arrived or reached spiritual perfection. But God is a protective and jealous Father. He will not allow the enemy to destroy our peace and joy.
God reveals His instructions and guides us through the Bible, which is His Voice.
Love Unconditionally: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:5-7
Possess Righteous characters: But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22, 23
Pray for one another: Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17
No matter how hard it appears, we must perform the process of elimination. It is not a matter of ceasing all contact, and not speaking to the individuals because of anger, hurt, or unforgiveness. If those are our underlying reasons, then we are sinning against God and the persons. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 1 John 4:20.
God desires that we are healthy and happy! Remember that God would never place people in our lives that would prevent us from having His peace, love, and joy. As painful as the process is, God expects us to be obedient to His way and will. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8
Yes, at the beginning, you will miss them. Still, we must put God first! God requires that we love Him enough to eliminate all external factors that prevent our relationship with Him from maturing. Our spiritual journey is tough! I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Yet, we are not alone!
From personal experience, I admit that I am a hardheaded believer. So God got tired of the back-and-forth, and He did the big chop on my friend/family lists. Now I have a small circle of friends and family–spiritual sisters who pray, study God’s Holy Word, talk about the goodness of God, and support each other with laughter and words of encouragement.
Have faith and trust in your Heavenly Father who reminds us: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27. God will place the people in your life that know how to love, laugh, and pray. Our wellness and being made whole spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically is His concern. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” Johns 5:6
If we only understood the love of God, The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3, then we would fully understand who we are and who we belong to, a most loving Heavenly Father.
Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 13
God, we come to you broken, wounded, and battered. Without you, we do not have any goodness within us. We ask you to heal our fragile hearts and perform the big chop on the external factors that bring us down. We love you. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
In six weeks, my life took a drastic turn of events. The farmhouse that I leased and lived in for six years would be placed on the market for sale. For three weeks, diligent search efforts for alternate housing produced nothing but waiting lists. When did this small town become so popular? So, I expanded my search to a 100-mile radius, which offered many alternatives, including a 55+ community in Florida. I laughed at the glitch on the internet because Florida was 1400 miles away. But as I began to explore their website, I completed the online application out of curiosity.
My immediate focus was packing, selling, and donating six years of my life in six weeks. Within two days, I received a congratulations email from the property manager in Florida. I called and thanked her but relayed that I was looking for housing in Texas. Then we were hit with the Texas storms, and the frigid temperatures were more than the pipes in the kitchen could withstand. They froze even with the water running at a slow rate. Thankfully, the bathroom pipes were located in the middle, warmer area under the house and shielded from the icy freeze. I was blessed to have running water. Most of the town lost power, but God’s mercies kept my electricity and gas on during this challenging time.
Two days after the storm, I heard a loud hissing noise in the front of the house. When the temperature reached 45 degrees, the pipe for the water hose had split into several places, and water was running full stream down the lawn and the driveway. Thirty minutes later, the landlord told me to fill up some gallon jugs because the pipe was irreparably damaged. Also, the kitchen pipe had burst, and he had to shut off the water to the house. I placed three totes in the bathtub and filled them to the brim. And that was the end of running water for seven days.
About 20 years ago, I worked as a camp nurse living in the Catskill mountains for three months. I never thought that I would have to use grid skills again in my lifetime. I had enough bottled water to sustain me for three weeks but had to boil water in a giant pot for basin baths and washing dishes. Also, flushing the toilet was manually accomplished and limited to once a day. My stock of cleaning products kept everything clean and odor-free. But, no complaints, I was one of the fortunate. Most in our town had to evacuate their homes due to lack of electricity and water.
The situation worsened, and our county required intervention from FEMA for the severe water shortage in nine cities. Due to the overwhelming number of burst pipes, every plumber available within 30 miles had a full schedule. Running water was the least of my concerns; I began to pray, pray, pray because I had to move in three weeks, and there was no available housing.
Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he. I am he who will sustain you. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you, and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4
One day, as I washed my face and looked in the mirror, there are no wrinkles, but I saw many new gray hairs at the top of my forehead. During my prayer, I reminded God of his promise to take care of me and rescue me from my dilemma. That same day the property manager called me from Florida to ask if I was still interested in the apartment. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1
I left Texas on Thursday, February 25th at noon in a 20 ft. U Haul truck. The Holy Spirit gave me the knowledge and skills to drive, park, and back-up a large truck for a four-day adventure to a new home in sunny Florida. Yes, I was the recipient of a big blessing. No longer do I have the responsibilities of a big house, lawn maintenance, paying three utilities, and enduring the waiting period for vital repairs to be completed on time.
I wish that I could say that obedience to God’s command for me to relocate to Florida was my first action, but it was not. Because I was pursuing my desires, I even had the boldness to ask God if He would leave me homeless. Then God showed His power! God blocked every effort to remain in Texas. On future calls for prospective housing, I received no further responses. And the plumber still had not arrived for repairing the broken pipes!
So you may ask, “But how do you know that God is speaking to you instead of a personal desire?” Because Divine Intervention is supernatural! Not only do miraculous wonders occur when you pray for God’s will to be done in your life, everything that God does is perfect. Even so, the next step is crucial. Once revealed, obedience to God’s unexpected plans is your test of faith. I can testify that God’s plans are so phenomenal all doubt is erased from your mind.
When God fulfills His plans, there are no glitches or mistakes. Many miracles occurred during my relocation, but I will mention two that stand out. The estimated cost for fuel was $600-$700 for a 20 ft truck with a load. The actual gas price was $380-$400. I will also disclose my two fears, driving over the long bridge in Pensacola, Fl, and night blindness from the headlights, especially on two-lane highways.
On the second day of the journey, heavy rain extended my driving time by three hours. The link from one highway to the next was a mountainous road. Not only was I driving at night, but I also have never experienced curvy roads going through a mountain. I downshifted into third gear and prayed for strength. The Holy Spirit told me to look ahead, not to the left or the right, and to keep my eyes focused on the yellow middle line, indicating whether the curve in the road was to the left or right. I breathed a deep sigh of relief when the sign for the major highway said “2 miles.”
The next day when I entered the Pensacola Bay/Three-Mile bridge crossing over the most massive body of water that I have witnessed, I was prayed up and prepared. Instead of fear, I was able to look at the vast body of water with a different perspective of beauty. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NKJV
Obedience to God’s will requires doing something different. The life-changing experience happens for everyone who proclaims that Jesus is their Lord and Savior. My experience was almost like Abram’s, though I have traveled extensively through the state of Florida, I had never even heard of this city. Like Sarah, I laughed at the prospect of leaving Texas and moving to Florida. I did not deny that I laughed, but I failed to acknowledge the power of God when I did not trust Him to fulfill His plans for my life.
The time is approaching for you to come to the crossroads where God says, “This is my plan for you.” Will you do what God is asking you to do?
Bible Study: Genesis 12
God, many times we say, “Yes, Lord, let your will be done in my life,” but we do not realize that your plans are very different from our plans. We ask you for the faith to always trust and obey when you lead and direct us. Thank you for your love, grace, and mercy. We ask for a special blessing upon our lives this Sabbath as we spend quality time praising and worshipping you. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Many of us are familiar with the first part of Hebrews 11:6: But without faith, it is impossible to please him. However, the scripture also says that it takes additional action to receive our reward from God. We must believe and diligently seek Him, only then will we be blessed with the gifts that God has for us.
Serving God requires active participation every day. There are many sermons directed toward our anxiety, worries, and feeling down and out. But the answer to our emotional distress is for us to pray more. Communication with God through prayer is our life-line.
The Holy Spirit goes into the Spiritual Comforter mode while we are praying. It is a relief to feel your burdens lifted while praying. I may have started broken, weary, and hopeless, but never have I felt anything but victory after seeking our Heavenly Father in prayer.
Hebrews 11:6 further explains that we must believe that God is who He says he is, recall that God told Moses to tell the Israelites, “I Am” sent you.
Another messenger’s sermon on faith:
You may say, “I love God, but I just have difficulty trusting Him.” Then you are not pleasing to Him. You cannot struggle at the core of your relationship with God and still enjoy a vibrant fellowship with Him! Faith does not eliminate problems. Faith keeps you in a trusting relationship with God during your problems. Faith has to do with your relationship with God, not your circumstances. Some may say, “I’m not much of a person of faith. I am more of a practical person!” Yet you will never do anything more practical than to place your trust in the Lord! Nothing is more secure or certain than that which you entrust to God. From Today’s Devotional-Experiencing God Day-by-Day
Making a renewed covenant with God is just a prayer away. We are not required to do anything strenuous or challenging to serve God. It is a simple commitment to offer ourselves and worship our Creator. God loves us more than we will ever know. Believing (faith) in God requires constant communion with Him. We cannot live off of yesterday’s worship, praise, or prayers. Diligently seeking God places us in a position to build our faith and trust in Him. Whether we are in the mountain highs or the valley lows, God is always here! He is patiently waiting for us to seek Him.
Bible Study: Hebrews 11
God, we have failed to keep in touch with you as we should. Please forgive us for not diligently seeking you. We are renewing our covenant to have a much closer relationship with you. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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