Obedience – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

The Most Powerful Prayer: “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear [reverence] Your Name.” (Psalm 86:11)

King David frequently prayed asking God for guidance, direction, and protection:

Prayer for Guidance: “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” (Psalm 143:8).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we become His disciples, who commit to follow Him with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience.

What does this mean in real life to be a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ? To follow Jesus, every day, we surrender to His Sovereign Authority as our Shepherd by praying, The Believer’s Prayer of Surrender: “LORD, what do you want me to do?”

Surrender instead of Self-Reliance: David routinely stops trying to figure things out on his own and explicitly asks God to “show him the way.”
Trust in God’s Righteous Character: His requests are anchored in God’s faithfulness, mercy, and unfailing love rather than his own merit.
The Desire for Obedience: Asking what to do is paired with a commitment to follow God’s Commandments and Precepts and to live according to His Truth.

From the moment we wake up, our first prayer is a prayer of surrender, which reveals our deepest desire to put God First by acknowledging that Jesus is LORD, and He is The Sovereign Authority over our lives.

Praying for God’s Wisdom and Guidance is a natural response of our love, reverence, and gratitude for God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies.

God Says: Trust Me with Your Life!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear [Revere] the Lord and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

From studying the Holy Scriptures, we learn that God does not make suggestions; Scriptures of Guidance and Warnings are God’s Commands, given with the expectation that we will obey.

Faithful Obedience is Worship, Acknowledging God as Holy and His Sovereign Authority Over Humanity

Jesus reveals that He was always obedient to God, His Father: “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29).

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8).

If God, the Father required total obedience from Jesus, His Son then as living beings created from the dust of the ground with the purpose to honor and worship God, we reveal our love, reverence, and honor through daily surrender and faithful obedience.

Surrender versus Self-governance

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

“Rejection of God’s Divine Authority: Willfully breaking God’s command is not merely a minor mistake; it is an act of aligning with Satan, choosing self-supremacy over God’s government.”

“Destiny and Consequences: Obedience or disobedience determines every person’s eternal destiny. While obedience brings life, health, peace, and protection, disobedience separates humanity from God’s blessings and leads to spiritual ruin.”

One of Satan’s most effective lies is that we can live as we please and because God is Loving and Merciful, He will not destroy us, despite living sinful and disobedient lives.

Jesus clarifies in the Scriptures that disobedience to God results in destruction, The Second and Final death: Study Revelation 19; Revelation 21:8; and Malachi 4, which reveals that God does not have an eternally burning hell; sinners will be destroyed.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, God tells us that He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind, which is self-control.

Reflection: If we obey the government’s, state’s, and county laws, and our employer’s policies and procedures then something is not right within our hearts when we choose to willfully disobey God, by not obeying His Commandments and Righteous Precepts.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT).

Every day, our choices and lifestyle reveal whether or not we love God, and the destiny we have chosen. Satan knows that his destiny is destruction, so he presents God as a tyrant who loves to see people suffer.

Jesus’ Response to the unrighteous: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44, NIV).

Even before Jesus created humanity, God the Father, and God, Jesus the Son, who are Omniscient [All-Knowing] were aware that Adam and Eve would disobey the command, Do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Yet it was from a love that many of us still do not understand that God, the Father and God, Jesus, the Son made the decision to move forward with the Divine Plan to create humanity, knowing that most would rebel against and reject God’s Love, Grace, Mercies, and His Sovereign Authority.

“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).

There is no Middle Road, either we choose to follow Jesus, or to follow Satan: “…But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15, NIV).

When we live a life of pleasing ourselves, our mindset is the same as the unbeliever’s mindset, who choose the world’s temporary wealth and material possessions over Jesus and Eternal Life.

Today is a precious gift of time revealing God’s Love and Faithfulness to you and me. With determination, we can repent, ask God for forgiveness of the sin of self-reliance, and begin to travel on the Narrow Path of Righteousness under the guidance of God, the Holy Spirit.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24). We only have one opportunity to prepare for an eternity of worshiping God, which begins in our existence right now.

Take Back Control of your time by setting aside at least one hour a day [30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening] to separate yourself to worship God through Prayer and Bible Study, which places us in the Presence of God.

In the Great Controversy of Good and Evil, every believer is Satan’s Target. Each day, we desperately require God’s Presence to live righteously on our planet that is filled with hardship, evil, and never-ending temptations designed to separate us from God.

We must ask the same question that the jailer asked the Apostle Paul: “What must I do to be saved?”

Jesus tells us exactly what is required to love God: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:3-4).

Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Lord Jesus, today we realize that we desperately need You. And we ask You to forgive our sins and to restore us back into the safety of Your Love, and the Covering of Your Righteousness. We also ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue to follow You, Our Faithful Shepherd. In faith, and with love, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Follow Jesus – Your Life Will End In Triumph!

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

A pastor shared this testimony: When I was 15 years old, my church hosted a mountain hike for the community and it was a great turnout. The guides reviewed the rules with everyone, and we agreed to follow our guides and the rules.

But as we walked along the trail, everyone was excited, except for me. I had hiked this mountain with my dad, and knew the trail, so I became bored. I listened to my feelings, and decided to deviate from the trail.

The thought of exploring new territory made me excited, but as the group kept walking, I waited by a tree for five minutes to see if anyone missed me, but no one called my name, so I decided to keep moving forward.

Yes, I knew the rules, if you’re navigating an unknown path, you mark the trees, which will guide you on the return trip. But with overconfidence, I told myself, you don’t need to do that, you have an excellent memory.

After walking for about 10 minutes, I decided to return to the group. Being alone, and no one knowing where you are did not bring the excitement that I anticipated, but when I turned around, I became disoriented.

All the trees were identical and I knew there weren’t any straight paths on a mountain. Still, I reassured myself that I could get back, so I just started walking forward, hoping to see the familiar trail. But after walking for what seemed to be forever, I realized that I was lost.

Immediately I reached for my cell phone, but there was no signal. I can still remember the fear and panic consuming my mind, and my body reacted. My heart began to beat faster and I started hyperventilating, at that point, I knew that if someone didn’t find me, I would die.

Because my heart was filled with pride, I thought, If I call out for help, others will laugh at me, knowing that I was raised in this area, and still got lost, so I suppressed the desire to call out.

But as my vision became blurred from the tears of fear, I realized that I needed God’s help. I prayed, confessing that I had been disobedient, and I begged God to show me how to get back to the trail.

My legs felt weak, but the Holy Spirit reminded me of Jesus’ Promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you;” peace replaced the fear in my mind, and step by step, I slowly moved forward.

The Holy Spirit gave me the courage and wisdom to walk through the unknown. God revealed His Never-Changing Love, Mercy, and Faithfulness: Although at least 20 minutes had passed, when I returned to the trail, I was right behind the crowd of hikers.

No one knew that I was missing, except for my Shepherd, Jesus Christ. I never shared this experience until I became an adult because it was only then that I fully understood the love of Jesus Christ.

The Decision To Follow Jesus Christ

Jesus had just performed the miracle of healing the paralytic: “Now when the multitude saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” (Matthew 9:8)

Matthew’s Decision To Follow Jesus: “As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9, NIV).

Can you remember the joy and excitement that was in your heart when you said, “Yes, I repent of my sins and accept Jesus as my Savior?”

Do you still have the joy, happiness, and peace that comes from following Jesus?

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV).

If you are navigating through life following your own thoughts and strategies, repent and renew your commitment with Jesus Christ to be His Forever Follower.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:14, 27-28).

To Follow Jesus, Surrender, Repent, Forget the Past, and Keep Moving Forward

Every day, use your faith to pray and ask for God’s guidance before making plans and decisions. Make the commitment to following Jesus on the Narrow Path, wherever He leads you. No, it will not be easy, but Jesus promises:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8, NIV). Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we are following the prideful thoughts of our hearts. And today, we come to You in humility, with repentance, asking for the forgiveness for the sin of disobedience. Although we have been like sheep, who stopped listening to their Shepherd’s Voice, following the Wide Path, You continued to search for us. Thank You for loving and protecting us. Jesus, You are our Shepherd, we love You, and commit to following You with faithful obedience. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Practical Messages For Impractical Times

Still Waiting On God To Answer Your Prayers?

“You have not because you do not ask” is a Scripture that many of us have memorized. With expectation that God will say, Yes, we eagerly pray, asking God for the things that will make us happy.

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13).

The Condition: We will only receive a “Yes” from Jesus, [our Heavenly Intercessor, who receives all prayers], if we ask for things that glorify God, the Father.

God, the Father’s Priorities For Every Believer

Our necessities of life; a relationship with Jesus; renouncing sin; daily spiritual growth; and the transformation of our character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character, required to receive Eternal Life are God, the Father’s Plans for every faithful believer.

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus promises to give us all of our necessities of life:

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Verse 25).

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles [unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Verses 31-32).

God Is Yahweh Yireh: “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).

Spiritual Healing: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3).

God promises to heal us from mental disorders and emotional trauma because those conditions prevent spiritual growth and transformation.

“The book of James contains a lot of practical instruction for how Christians should live their lives. The Apostle wrote to believers who seemed to have quite a few problems with their [desires] and behavior.”

Reflection: How are we spending our money and our time? Do our habits reflect that we recognize that time and money are blessings and gracious gifts from God?

Stewardship is properly managing our resources that God has given to us. Conservative management reveals that our heart is filled with gratitude and we use our ability to practice the discipline of self-control.

God Answers Our Question: “Why hasn’t God answered my prayer?”

God’s Reasons For Unanswered Prayers

#1: “You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your desires.” (James 4:3, Amplified Bible).

In this Scripture, James specifies selfish desires as one of God’s reasons for denying our requests.

#2: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19, 21).

Although, not every prayer is a request for money, our focus is on material possessions; a car, house, or a better job, a husband or wife, and many other specific desires.

#3: “But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NLT).

God knows the hidden secrets of our hearts that reveal our true characters and personalities. Will we value the gift instead of The Giver?

#4: Self-reliance Instead of Faithful Obedience: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46).

Reflection: Ask yourself, What is my relationship like with Jesus Christ? Do I use my faith to surrender and let go of my desires, asking God to reveal His plans for the new day?

Recap of God’s Priorities: Revealing His Plans For Your Life, Meeting Our Spiritual and Physical Needs, and Rewarding Faithful Believers With Eternal Life

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NKJV).

“So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, NIV).

God gifted His only Son, Jesus to redeem us from the consequences of sin and to reward the faithful with Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Have we aligned our desires with God’s desire to save our soul? Yes, we were created with free will of choice, yet, we are required to acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority.

“Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

Every day, our desires, decisions, and lifestyles reveal whether or not, we are faithfully following Christ, Our Savior and Shepherd on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us that our Spiritual Journey will be a tough journey, but for us to be courageous, because He will give us the strength to overcome our challenges.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'” (Matthew 11:28, NLT).

To establish and maintain our relationship with Jesus, the focus of our daily prayers should be spiritual, asking God to increase our faith, teach us humility, and to empower us with wisdom, courage, and strength.

“Ask, then; ask, and you shall receive. To every sincere prayer an answer will come. It may not come just as you desire, or at the time you look for it; but it will come in the way and at the time that will best meet your needs.”

“The prayers you offer…God answers, not always according to your expectations, but always for your good.”

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'” (Luke 11:1, NIV).

Lord God, we thank you for life, health, strength, and our daily provisions. Lord, teach us how to pray. We struggle with prioritizing our spiritual needs over our desires. We know that Your ways are perfect. And we ask You to teach us how to live a life of self-denial, which is necessary to prepare for Eternal Life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Yes, We Are Followers of Christ!

The Rich, Young Ruler “…came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?…'”

“All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?'”

“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Matthew 19: 16, 20-21, NIV).

“To join Jesus meant that this young man had to accept a life of self-denial. With deep interest Jesus watched him weigh the question. With keen insight the ruler understood what he’d been told, but it made him depressed. If he had sensed what he would gain in the gift Jesus offered, he would have become a disciple. Instead, he reflected on what he would lose.” (Commentary).

We have made it to the second month of 2026. Our goal is to have a closer relationship with Christ by any means necessary!

Are you a follower of Christ? Most Christian believers do not consider themselves to be “Followers of Christ.”

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Daily surrender and faithful obedience are the defining characteristics of a true follower of Christ. Deep within our hearts, we know whether or not, God is our priority.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT).

Behaviors Revealing Earthly Pursuits

Misplaced Priorities: Focusing entirely on material success, greed, or selfish desires.

Neglecting the Eternal: Trading the eternal, priceless nature of the soul for temporary, passing worldly benefits.

Rejecting Spiritual Life: Failing to surrender to God’s will and instead chasing personal ambition, which results in a life lived without a right relationship with Christ.

If we are caught up in pursuing the distractions of earthly trinkets, pleasures, success, and relationships instead of following Jesus, then sadly, our desires will be our only reward.

To follow Jesus requires much more than attending church once a week. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans chapter 12 that we must live a sacrificial life of self-denial to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12: 1-2, NIV).

The Characteristics of the Sacrificial Life: Faith, Surrender, Obedience, Courage, and Commitment Are Required to Be a True Follower of Christ

“Every person is as close to God as they want to be.” (A.W. Tozer).

From praying daily for God to reveal His will and studying the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, guidance, and teaches us how to live a holy and acceptable life, pleasing to God.

How close are we to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 gives us the answer: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

From reading this description, one may think that the apostle Paul is referring to unbelievers; but unbelievers do not have a form of godliness. He is describing believers who have failed to commit to living the sacrificial life of self-denial that is required to be followers of Jesus Christ.

When we appreciate God’s love and Jesus’ great sacrifice, we love God; and, it is not a burden or an inconvenience for us to live the sacrificial and obedient life required to be a true follower of Christ.

“However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, Amplified Bible).

Lord God, does our lifestyle reflect that we are committed followers of Jesus Christ? If not, we ask you to reveal the habits and people, we must give up to live a God First, Christ-centered, Bible-based life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The LORD Is a Great God! Sabbath Peace and Blessings

“For the Lord is the great God…Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” (Psalm 95:3, 1-2).

Today is the last day of January, 2026. Because of God’s amazing Love and Mercies, we are still alive! How do we return our love for all that we receive from God?

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7).

The commitment of personal daily worship, Prayer, Bible Study, and Singing praises of gratitude reveals our love, loyalty, and reverence for God, whose Love, Grace, Mercies, and Provisions flow abundantly.

“Heaven is waiting to [give] its richest blessings upon those who will consecrate themselves to do the work of God in these Last Days of the world’s history.”

The richest blessings that we need to live as victorious overcomers are not material possessions, wealth, and success. We require the daily empowerment of the Holy Spirit to stay on the Path of Righteousness that leads from Earth to Heaven.

Lord God, You have Sovereign Authority over our lives, this earth, and the universe. We come to You in humility, surrendering ourselves to You, and asking for the spiritual blessings of peace, wisdom, and the strength to persevere in this tough journey of life filled with obstacles, temptations, and dangers. Yet, because of Your love, we have safety. Lord, you promised to never leave us or forsake us; and we believe in Your promises that when we run to You, we will have refuge because You are a Strong Tower. Lord, we seek the blessings of spiritual restoration, peace, contentment, and joy, as we worship You on this Holy Sabbath Day. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

“The Authority of Jesus Questioned”

Matthew 21:23-27…

23 “Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while He was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’ “

24 Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin? ‘ “

“They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, From heaven, He will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ “

27 “So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ “

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

The commitment to follow Christ has always required surrender and faithful obedience to His authority, which was given to Him by God, the Father.

When we fail to consecrate and commit ourselves to God through daily personal worship, our thoughts and actions supersede our spoken words.

But what we do not understand is that we are questioning God’s Authority, which places us in wilful rebellion against God’s Sovereignty.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV). Jesus’s earthly life reveals that obedience to God is non-negotiable.

Remain Faithful to God

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4).

Never Trust Your Own Thoughts

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Reverence God Through a Spirit of Humility

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7).

Embrace God’s Promise of His Faithfulness

“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).

Honor God’s Sovereignty, Because He Is God

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Our Allegiance and Loyalty Is To God, or To Ourselves

Reflection: By whose authority are you living your life? Every day, we choose our destiny, our choices and lifestyles reveal if we are obeying God, or not.

If we live according to our thoughts and desires, then we choose to forfeit our reward of The Crown of Life. Our only reward will be whatever we pursued and accomplished in our earthly lives.

Jesus’ Promise To the Faithful

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21, NIV).

Bible Study: Revelation 19, 21-22

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for the sins of self-reliance and disobedience. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and remove the stubbornness in our hearts. We desperately need Your Holy Spirit to baptize our hearts, and minds, so we can see life through spiritual eyes, and live a sacrificial life of obedience. Lord, we consecrate our lives to follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, and ask for the daily Spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment required to live as overcomers. God, we acknowledge that You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus, Amen.

Do Not Fear, Worry, or Be Discouraged – The LORD Is On Your Side!

“I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: ‘Do not close your ears to my cry for relief. You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’ ” (Lamentations 3:55-57, NIV).

“The Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar II, captured the Israelites during the Babylonian Captivity, which was a period of exile for the Jewish people into Babylon.”

“This event marked the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and a forced relocation of many Jews, including prophet Jeremiah, to Babylon as a consequence of their rebellion and idolatry.”

“…we are weary and find no rest.” (Lamentations 5:5).

Jeremiah, known as the Weeping Prophet, lamented in his prayer asking for God to extend mercy and redeem them from their Babylonian captivity.

God’s Promise: “This is what the LORD says: ‘You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:10, NLT).

“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).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we agree to follow God’s thoughts and plans for our lives. The Christian Believer’s life is not our own. We have dedicated ourselves to be followers of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd.

“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14). Jesus clarifies that obedience is required to be His follower, to have a relationship with Him, and to receive God’s abundant blessings.

Learning God’s Plans: We remain in right standing with God when we consecrate ourselves through daily prayer asking God to reveal His will for the given day. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures and our thoughts.

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26, ESV).

One of the most discouraging times in our lives is when we must suffer consequences for following our thoughts and making decisions outside of God’s plans. Willful disobedience always bring consequences.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Clarification: The consequences of willful disobedience differ from suffering trials and hardships.

We experience trials and hardships for spiritual growth and the transformation of our characters. God places limits on the severity of trials and hardships, it would serve no godly purpose for us to be crushed and feel hopeless.

But consequences from disobedience have no boundaries! Following our misguided desires results in making decisions outside of God’s Perfect Will, which equates to intentional self-harm.

Sin Separates us from God: When believers fail to seek God, we may enjoy the benefits of our decisions, but spiritual consequences happen immediately, disobedience separates us from God.

Following our thoughts and desires desensitizes us to the magnitude of our rebellion against God; we can no longer perceive life through spiritual eyes.

The Holy Spirit cannot dwell inside of a believer who is filled with rebellion. Because God loves us, He does not prevent the devastating consequences of our decisions.

Suffering tangible consequences always produces feelings of regret, yet do not focus on how you feel, with surrender and humility, redirect your focus and faith to run to God with a Prayer of Repentance.

God Reveals His Love: “‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 1:3b).

God is Omniscient, and knows every sin that we will commit against Him, still, our Loving Father never abandons us. He loves us, even in our state of disobedience, but we must repent for our rebellion against God.

David’s Prayer of Repentance: Psalm 51:1-4

“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin…”

3 “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight.”

Do Not Embrace Guilt! King David is our ultimate example of committing sins based on desire, repenting, and moving forward in his life.

Emmanuel: God With Us

“This name is more than a personal name; it’s a declaration of God’s covenant presence. It symbolizes God’s closeness and reassurance, a powerful statement of His enduring connection to His people throughout all stages of their spiritual life.”

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, Amplified Bible).

Through personal worship of daily Prayer and Bible Study, we choose to stay close to God who promises to give us the spiritual strength to persevere through every trial, hardship, and even the harsh consequences. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we are extremely grateful for Your abundant love, forgiveness, and steadfast faithfulness, even when we choose to rebel against You. We repent of our sins and ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Lord, we seek Your guidance and Perfect Will and Plans for our lives. We love You, and ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Trust God, He Always Gives Us a Life of Stability and Hope

Many years ago, I recall having a conversation with a retired army Sergeant, mid-40s, who shared something profound, “Unless you have chosen the military, or a travel position, relocating from state to state, and changing jobs several times reveals mental and emotional instability, and unfortunately, the person’s well-being and finances are also negatively impacted.

Yes, our lives change, and many times those unexpected and unwanted changes produce great uncertainty. The Believer’s only viable option is to pray for God’s help, but instead of dropping to our knees, we often use our feelings and preferences to make quick decisions that produce unforeseen consequences.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). We are deceived by the worldviews of self-governance, instant gratification, and convenience. Every day, like the unbelievers, we use our prior experience and strategies to make decisions, excluding God from our lives.

In Proverbs chapter 3, God warns us, “Do not listen to your thoughts.” Because we have formed the habit of resolving our challenges, not only do we listen to our thoughts, but we also seek the advice of family and friends who give us well-meaning suggestions; still, it is not what God desires.

Sadly, when we end up suffering devastating consequences, which produce regret and sorrow, only then are we ready to turn to God. Thankfully, our Father loves us, always responding to prayers of repentance and asking for Divine help.

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). God knows our lives from beginning to end, so nothing comes as a surprise to Him. With humility, Pray and Wait for God’s instructions.

Facing consequences produces mental distress and emotional unrest. How do we redirect our focus to differentiate God’s voice from our thoughts? Genesis 12 is the story of God speaking to Abram, later known as Abraham.

“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you…”

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.’ ” (Genesis 12:1-2,4-5).

On the way to Canaan, Abram and his family had to travel through Egypt. Because of fear Abram told a lie that Sarai was his sister instead of his wife, placing her in a predicament with Pharaoh. God intervened and rescued Sarai from the situation. Study Genesis 12:10-20.

Yes, Abram immediately obeyed God and left all that was familiar to him, but he let fear override his knowledge of God’s power. Our Father God is loving and merciful, the Old Testament has countless stories of God rescuing humanity from their willful disobedience.

Unlike Our Plans, God’s Plans Always Have Divine Purpose and Glorify His Holy Name

We know that Abram’s move to Canaan was God’s Divine will; not only does God fulfill His wonderful promise to Abram, but with his New Beginnings, God changes his name to Abraham [Genesis 17:5].

God is Love, Giving Us New Beginnings [with Conditions] Even When We Sin Against Him

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, You, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17, NIV).

Redirecting our faith from ourselves to God is demonstrated by letting go of our spirit of self-reliance, embracing a spirit of humility, and surrendering to God’s Sovereignty through praying, fasting, and waiting on God.

God’s Promise: “Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24, BSB).

To hear His voice, we must repent for living a life of self-reliance and approach God with a different mindset and a posture of surrender. God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, who uses the Scriptures [Study the Bible] and prayer to reveal His instructions.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).

God’s thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts, and easily recognized by His Perfect Plans of Miraculous and Powerful Interventions. The phenomenal plan of rescue and restoration that you’re thinking of came from God. We know it is Him because the Holy Spirit also gives us spiritual peace.

Even if our knowledge of the Bible is scant, God meets us with loving kindness where we are and uses different methods to reveal His plans for resolution. Yet, we must not commit the sin of presumption.

God’s warning, “My people are destroyed because of lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6, NIV). God expects us to worship Him daily through prayer, obedience, and studying the Scriptures.

Although we mess up, when we repent, God always intervenes to stabilize our lives. Without God’s mercies, we would be hopeless. God will never deny us help, but He may not allow us to keep our desires.

There is always a price to pay for willful disobedience. We may lose the job, the house, the car, the relationship, or the marriage that God never intended for us to have.

Every believer will face circumstances that place us at the Spiritual Crossroads, which always requires that we make a decision of either following God or pleasing ourselves.

Following Christ is to live a selfless, sacrificial life. Yes, we will experience hardships, but God never crushes us, which serves no spiritual purpose. Even in the storms, we can rely on a stable foundation, Christ, the Solid Rock, our Shepherd, and King.

A life consecrated to serve God with faithful obedience gives us the peaceful assurance of Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always even until the end of this world.”

Lord God, we are facing adversity, and need Your help. We come to You asking for rescue and restoration. Lord, we repent of the sin of self-reliance that has brought consequences, we cannot resolve. We pray for direction, protection, and correction in our journey of New Beginnings. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

“This Scripture emphasizes the stability and strength that comes from relying on God. The psalmist is confident in the face of adversity because he knows God is with him. In essence, Psalm 16:8 is a declaration of faith, trust, and dependence on God, leading to a life of steadfastness and assurance.”

“To You, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul”

“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.

The Essence of Salvation Is God’s Love

One of my favorite chapters is Romans 12, in which the Apostle Paul explains to the members of the church in Rome how to live righteously.

The Christian Journey is tough! We must renounce sin, let go of our desires, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit who produces daily spiritual transformation when we are in agreement with God’s will.

Active Participation Is Required for Spiritual Growth and Transformation! Many believers think because we are covered by God’s Grace, all we need to do is to attend church once a week.

But passivity is dangerous to our spiritual journey. It is the intentional decision to follow Christ that keeps us in right standing with God. Using our faith to obey God results in experiential spiritual growth and character transformation.

Active participation reveals our love for God, and the desire to receive our inheritance of Eternal Life.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NIV),

To “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” does not mean we attempt to earn salvation or to be afraid. “Instead, it encourages believers to live out their salvation with reverence and awe, recognizing God’s work within them.”

Participating in our salvation: “It is a call to live in obedience, and possess gratitude for the gift of salvation with the understanding that God empowers us to do so.”

What does active participation look like in the converted believer’s life?

Our love for God is revealed by surrender to God’s Sovereignty. We seek His will and plans daily through prayer, and studying the Bible.
Worshiping God with faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to give us strength, wisdom, and discernment.
Maintaining a clean and pure heart invites the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give us the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
Asking God for His Divine help when facing small obstacles creates a spirit of dependency, so when the raging storms of trials and tribulations come, our First Response is to pray in faith with the confidence that God will help us.
Eliminating distractions, not listening to the many voices, and managing our time wisely are behaviors that indicate God is first in our lives.
Before making decisions based on following our thoughts, we pray for Divine guidance. Whether God tells us to wait and be still, or to follow His directives, in faith, we obey.
Finally, we renounce our heart’s desires in exchange for God’s plans. Our lifestyle including relationships represent that we serve a Righteous and Holy God, and we are striving to live a consecrated and obedient life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The bottom line is that God loves us. God, the Father has revealed His Perfect Love by giving His only Son, Jesus Christ to save our souls.

With unfailing love, Jesus, God, the Son fulfilled The Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross revealing that it is possible to live a faithful, holy, and obedient life.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship…”

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

Lord God, we ask You for guidance, wisdom, and the strength and courage to obey Your Divine will. Teach us how to live righteously. We ask for the Holy Spirit to permeate our minds that we may hear Your voice and faithfully obey Your will. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.