Peace – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Jesus Is Our Only Source of Peace, Joy, and Happiness: Stop Collecting Stones

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” (1 Peter 5:7, Amplified Bible).

Every day, we strive to complete our responsibilities, relying only on our own strength. Yet, for believers, we also face many unexpected the spiritual warfare of challenges and temptations that test our faith, trust, and obedience to God.

“I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). Without asking Christ for His strength to accomplish our tasks for the given day, we deplete our mental, emotional, and physical resources.

Can you imagine carrying a backpack of heavy stones as you perform your daily tasks? From using our thoughts and strength to navigate through life, we pick up Mental and Emotional Stones: Using emotions to react to challenging situations and people.

Collecting Stones: Stones are our emotional reactions, including doubt, fear, failure, discouragement, anger, and hopelessness, that impact our rational thought processes.

The “stones” we collect every day remain in our minds, and as the weight grows heavier, we cannot remain positive or enjoy Christ’s blessings of peace, joy, and happiness.

When we have put forth our best efforts and the outcome is not what we expected, we blame ourselves and begin to accumulate the “mental stones” of failure, stress, fatigue, disappointment, anxiety, and worry.

Stones produce a negative perspective: As we reflect on our day, we are unable to focus on our accomplishments; instead, we focus on the failure to complete our to-do lists, which are often unrealistic. Instead of relaxing after a taxing day, we think about various ways to complete today’s unfinished tasks and tomorrow’s responsibilities.

Although we desire to have positive interactions with our family, friends, neighbors, and others, it is an unrealistic expectation. Many individuals react to stress by communicating with emotional responses.

Stones cause us to overreact: If we take things personally, instead of telling ourselves, “Some people are just difficult, it’s not about me, or “Everyone has a bad day, so their reaction was not about me,” then we pick up the “emotional stones” of anger, hurt, embarrassment, disappointment, and feeling let down.

Taking everything personally leads to harboring feelings of sustained anger and resentment. Remaining upset provokes us to replay the negative interaction, which prevents us from enjoying a peaceful sleep, and our mental, emotional, and physical health begins to decline.

Stones cause Spiritual Decline: Most importantly, our Stones cause us to lose our spiritual perspective. We cannot focus on our spiritual journey with Jesus. Our daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study ceases, and our reciprocal relationship with Christ gradually declines. And sadly, we do not recognize that we are separated from Christ.

There is a better way to live! Jesus Is Our Stone Gatherer: “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).

Giving Our Stones to Jesus Requires Two Actions: First, We Are Who God Says We Are: We Are Loved by God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and the recipients of God’s Grace. Do not practice self-criticism! Incorporate time management skills into your life by asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in your daily activities.

Secondly, a believer’s life is comparable to a soldier’s life: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV).

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us that His followers will face a life of continuous temptations and struggles. Satan uses people to speak harsh words to upset us so that we will become angry and sin against God with unrighteous responses. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger…” (James 1:19).

From whispering a prayer for strength, the Holy Spirit will tell us when to respond and when to remain silent when confronted. To avoid collecting Stones, we must depend on Jesus’ Strength and Guidance, which requires us to stay connected to Him through a life of continuous prayer and praise.

A Relationship with Christ built on faith, trust, obedience, and daily prayer, and study of the Holy Scriptures is the only way to have “An Unbothered Mind.”

The Believer’s Privilege of Prayer

“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16, Amplified Bible).

Prayer allows us to have a heart-to-heart connection with Jesus, our Creator and Shepherd, who “cares about you with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully.”

Invite Christ into every little detail of your life. Not only will you receive peace, but the Holy Spirit will give you the wisdom to resolve every challenge. We reflect the love of Christ to others through gentleness and self-control, eliminating the need to retaliate with emotional responses.

Reflection: How many times a day do you pray? Whispering prayers throughout our day keeps us connected to Christ, our Source of Strength, and the Giver of Spiritual Peace, Joy, and Contentment.

“There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing [stop] you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to pray.”

God’s Divine Love Revealed: 24/7, We Have Total Access to Christ!

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27, NIV).

We do not have to understand the Divine Pathway of how Jesus receives and answers our prayers. Whether spoken or silent, Christ tells us to “pray without ceasing,” and He will empower us with His Divine Strength, Guidance, and Wisdom.

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, NIV).

Brothers and Sisters, stop collecting Stones! Use your faith to depend on Jesus. Our Heavenly Intercessor waits for us to seek His Help.

Even if our backpack of Stones is overflowing, Jesus is waiting for us to cast those Stones at His feet, and He will deliver us from the weight of life’s challenges and empower us to live with an unbothered mind. Yes and Amen!

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

Lord God, thank You for Your Amazing Love and Faithfulness that never changes. We desire to begin a consecrated life of prayer; a life that is free from the stony weights of emotional reactions, uncertainty, burdens, anxieties, and worries. Jesus, today, we commit to redirecting our faith and trust back to You. And we thank You for the privilege of Prayer, and in faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Cultivating a Gentle, Quiet, Christ-Like Spirit

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

“Becoming more like Christ [should be] the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us.”

How important is it for us to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ? Our character, personality, and how we relate to others matter to God and will determine our destiny.

“In fact, the Bible says that God ‘predestined [believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son'” (Romans 8:29, NIV).

God’s Righteous Standards and Goals For Our Character Transformation

1. Hearts filled with Unconditional Love and Forgiveness.

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

2. The Fruit of the Spirit is Jesus’ Righteous Character Attributes:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

3. A spirit of humility, committed to standing for truth, along with treating others with kindness.

“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, ESV).

4. From Accepting Christ, We Become New People: Our characters should not imitate the characters of unbelievers or reflect their worldviews.

“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 5:24-26).

Divine Intervention and Human Effort Are Required for Spiritual Transformation: We cannot change ourselves; it is the Holy Spirit who changes us. Still, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit to experience spiritual transformation.

God does not override our Free Will of Choice; The Holy Spirit can only change us if we have the desire to be like Christ. With a spirit of humility, we pray and ask God to change our character. And then our battles begin!

The transformation of our character does not happen in the way that we think it would. We will face various types of challenges, and how we react demonstrates whether or not we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit to bring about change.

Reflection: Identify the situations that consistently annoy you, as these will be the trials and temptations that challenge your faith and ability to practice self-control, leading to spiritual transformation.

God has gifted us with self-control. As soon as you feel an emotional response stirring inside of you, remain silent, separate yourself, and pray an honest prayer: “Lord, I am angry, [annoyed, frustrated, anxious], and I need Your help. Please give me the strength to remain silent and calm my spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified Bible).

We cannot use inherited tendencies or cultural influences to justify the wrongful mistreatment of others with anger and harsh words. We have the God-given ability to control ourselves, or we would not exercise self-control at church and on our jobs.

Although we come from various backgrounds, the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit teach us acceptable Christian Behaviors. Those who possess fiery tempers and abuse others have a demonic stronghold over their minds and will need to add fasting to their daily lives. [Study Matthew 17:14-21].

God knows that we cannot change ourselves without receiving His Divine Strength. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us with Christ’s strength to overcome unrighteous character traits. Much prayer and fasting are required to gain the victory over inherited traits and learned behaviors.

“I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). With God, change is possible. Yes, we can have Christ’s gentle, quiet, and humble spirit.

Lord God, we recognize that we desperately need Your help to change. We ask for forgiveness for not controlling our behaviors and for hurting others. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with a spirit of gentleness that represents Your love and character. In faith, we ask this prayer, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

“Am I Growing Spiritually?” Signs of Spiritual Growth

God tells us to, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).

Growing closer to God is not an emotional experience of highs and lows, it is a day by day spiritual transformation of our mind, character, and personality that allows us to receive Jesus’ gift of peace.

Sanctification Prepares Us for Eternal Life

Sanctification is the gradual and daily spiritual process of growth and transformation performed by the Holy Spirit, which requires the human effort of surrender, faithful obedience, and renouncing our desires, and sinful practices and pleasures.

Sanctification requires the human effort of full cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Instead of following our thoughts, we pray for God’s guidance, and obey His answers. Yes, this is a struggle!

We do not use our emotions to react to conflict, or stressful situations, instead, we strive to possess the Spirit of Christ, and immediately pray for Divine Help.

Christ’s Character: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering [patience], gentleness, goodness faith, meekness [humility], temperance [self-control], against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23).

Through our daily personal worship of Prayer and Study of the Scriptures, we receive spiritual wisdom. It is in the times of separation from others, the Holy Spirit quietly teaches us the deepest meaning of God’s Righteous Precepts.

As we begin to perceive life through the Spiritual Eyes of Christ, we begin to recognize that we are growing spiritually. Not only do our desires and goals change, but we also approach the Throne of Grace before making decisions, and rely on God to fight our battles.

Loyalty to God is manifested by righteous thoughts. Instead of pursuing earthly success and material possessions, we seek to fulfill our God-given purpose of using our talents and spiritual gifts to honor God, and witness to others.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33, CSB).

Remaining loyal to our Shepherd does not exclude us from enduring suffering, trials, and hardships. The apostle Peter tells us that we will experience fiery trials.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, NLT).

“These ‘fiery trials’ are seen not as surprising misfortunes, but as opportunities to test faith, purify character, and deepen one’s connection with God, ultimately preparing us for future glory.”

Spiritual Fact: When facing challenges, our first response reveals the status of our faith and trust in God.

Although, we can resolve our obstacles, spiritual growth is evidenced by our desire to depend on God. Instead of developing strategies, our first response to adversity is a prayer asking for God’s Divine Intervention.

“Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, CSB).

Developing a life of prayer builds steadfast faith and trust in God, and demonstrates confidence in Jesus’ promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

In Philippians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul gives us Jesus’ instructions on maintaining our faith and gift of peace despite our circumstances.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Prayer connects us to Jesus, our Intercessor who receives every prayer, silent and spoken. From exercising our faith to believe in the Power of God, the Holy Spirit blesses us with Christ’s spiritual peace [an abiding inner calmness] that words cannot describe.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3).

God loves and honors His faithful believers. From surrendering ourselves to follow Christ, we receive the daily blessings of spiritual peace, a quiet spirit, provisions, the fruition of His perfect plans, and the ability to sleep like newborn babies.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8).

Like David, even when facing adversity, we can have the confidence that Jesus Christ, Heaven’s Mightiest Warrior will fight every battle we face!

If you are living a life of faithful obedience then you are right where God needs you to be. Yes and Amen! Peace and Blessings.

Bible Study: Psalm 46

Lord God, we thank you for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth who speaks to our hearts, giving us spiritual wisdom and discernment when we dedicate ourselves to follow Christ. Jesus, we thank You for Your amazing gift of peace, and protection from spiritual warfare. We give you the honor, glory, and praise, and ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Sabbath Sermon – How To Have Inner Peace

A powerful sermon that outlines practical ways to let go of certain thoughts and behaviors that hinder Believers from fully experiencing Jesus’ gift of Divine Peace. I watched the sermon and took journal notes on incorporating pertinent actions to sustain my peace. Happy Blessed Sabbath, and Peace and Blessings!

The Sabbath Is Here – Yes and Amen!

“Take this Sabbath day to nourish your soul and find rejuvenation in the simple beauty of nature. Like the ripening fruit on a tree, may this Holy Day bring you a sense of fulfillment and purpose.”

“The passage in the Book of Isaiah that refers to Sabbath worship continuing in the New Heaven and New Earth is Isaiah 66:23, which states, ‘And it shall come to pass, that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, says the LORD.’ ”

Isaiah 66:23 confirms that God never changed the Fourth Commandment given to humanity to honor and observe the Holy Seventh Day Sabbath.

Yes, Sabbath worship will continue after sin and sinners are destroyed and Jesus Christ creates the New Heaven and New Earth for the righteous to live in eternally, Amen!

Lord God, Your love is amazing. Not only did You leave Your throne, and suffer a gruesome death on Calvary’s Cross for us, but You blessed us by designating 24 hours for us to redirect our focus from the routine matters of life to worship You in the fullness of Your Glory. We ask for a spiritual renewal and empowerment from the Holy Spirit as we honor You with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience. We ask this prayer in the matchless name of Yeshua, Amen.

Sermon – Let Nothing Disturb Your Peace Jesus is Given You

Prayer Places Us In God’s Presence

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – November 8, 2024

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Prayer is the most important aspect of our Christian experience. Our need for God is greater than we realize. Prayer lifts us up into the presence of God. Our spiritual connection to God’s Divinity only happens through prayer and believing Jesus is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Prayer as the first response comes easily when we have developed a lifestyle of worship—daily praying, studying the Bible, and consecrating ourselves to trust and obey.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” —Ephesians 6:17-18

Abiding in Christ requires the daily prayerful commitment of surrender to God who leads us on the Path of Righteousness through the Holy Spirit. Our journey is spiritual and our primary focus is fulfilling God’s will. The Bible is our Treasure Map providing the history of humanity’s falls and victories. Because of the many voices and interpretations of the Scriptures, we are assured if we pray, the Teacher, the Holy Spirit imparts us with the only accurate meaning of God’s Truth.

“Pray without ceasing” —1 Thessalonians 5 17

What does it mean to pray continually? Within our hearts [minds] we maintain the thought of total dependency on God. We practice the privilege of silent prayers and whispering a prayer throughout our waking hours for God’s guidance. Although God desires to be included in every aspect of our lives, usually we are selective in the matters we bring to Him.

Even while working, if feeling overwhelmed or physically exhausted, take a prayer break. Never leave home without praying for Divine protection of yourself and your family. Believers have full access to Jesus, the Fountain of Living Water who serves us as our Heavenly Intercessor. Making Jesus our best Friend is accomplished through much prayer.

“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.” EGW

“Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, this is the way, walk in it…” —Isaiah 30:21

Yes, we live in perilous and uncertain times, still, Christ is our Rock of Stability in whom we can always depend. We cannot afford to play Satan’s Game of Chance with our lives. “God is willing and able to carry our burdens if we stop trusting in our own resources and strategies.” Our earthly journey is one of desperation for Divine Intervention. We humbly ask for God’s guidance because He is faithful, and we cherish and honor Him.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14

Instant gratification has given us a false perception of God. Our challenge is to pray and wait on the Lord. God’s timing always differs from our timing. Nothing we experience is an emergency to God. We remind ourselves that God is aware of our circumstances, yet, our Father God is never intrusive. He waits for us to pray the simple but powerful prayer, “God, I need Your help.” Pray in faith, let Him take control, stay calm, and wait on the Lord.

Feeling weary because of life’s struggles? Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with Jesus’ Divine strength and gives us the reassurance that God is in control. Instead of suffering from the anxieties and worries of the unknown, we place our lives into God’s Omniscient Hands. Most importantly, through consistent prayer, we develop an unbreakable bond with Jesus based on unwavering faith. Our faith [whether great or small] allows us to receive from the Fountain of His Never-ending Peace.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” —Isaiah 26:3-4

Decision-making is a gift from God and if used correctly with His guidance, we will experience victory. We hear the Voice of God guiding us through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. To be led by the Holy Spirit is to receive spiritual insight, wisdom, and discernment.

How do we know God is speaking to us? Because we receive a deep sense of inner peace when we receive instructions from God. When God intervenes, the outcome is always miraculous, honors His Holy Name, and reveals His Sovereign Power. No human effort can mimic God’s Divine Intervention!

Prayer is the Spiritual Gateway to God. Prayer is the catalyst for opening the Heavenly Windows of Blessings. We receive peace, joy, contentment, comfort, and guidance for every challenge of opposition. God knows our lives from beginning to end. Whether we face temptations, health issues, marital problems, disobedient children, financial loss, or the death of loved ones, our Loving Father waits for us to ask Him to intervene.

“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

From praying, we experience spiritual growth and maturity. Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the image of Christ. Prayer invites God to change our habits and behaviors into character traits that reflect the righteousness of Christ. To cooperate with God invites the Holy Spirit to give us a righteous heart and spirit necessary to receive our reward when Jesus comes.

“Be holy, for I am Holy.” —1 Peter 1 16

Through prayer, righteous living is possible. We can do nothing in our own strength. We become changed when pouring out our innermost thoughts and challenges to God. Prayer allows us to talk to God, the Father as children who implicitly trust their earthly parents.

Created to be dependent on God, we let go of the self-destructive worldviews of self-reliance and independent thinking. How important is prayer? Our destiny of Eternal life depends on it.

Lord God, teach us to pray and to depend on You. We are tired from the vicissitudes of life and need Your help. As we enter the Sabbath rest, we thank You for giving us 24 hours to exclude the earthly matters and commune with You. We ask for a spiritual blessing of strength to persevere in this journey of life. Thank You for hearing and answering our petitions that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sabbath Peace and Blessings

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

Moving Forward By Gaining the Victory Over Our Past

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 25, 2024

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.” —Isaiah 43:18, NKJV

The New Living Translation tells us, “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do” (Isaiah 43:18). Our lives involve many past negative experiences that Satan uses to keep us from loving God and believing in His Healing Power. From studying the Bible, we learn that God is Love and His priority is humanity whon Christ created in His image.

Would God command us to forget our past if it was not possible? Absolutely not! To forget the past, we replace those thoughts [yes, it is our reality] with God’s promise: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

Reflection: Perform a self-examination of your current emotional state. If you are nurturing anger, bitterness, and resentment which are the thorny fruits of unforgiveness [toward others or yourself] then you have chosen to travel a path that does not include God nor invites Him to give you a new life of victory. God will not coerce us to forgive or to let go of our past, but God, the Holy Spirit cannot live within an unclean vessel filled with the darkness of an unforgiving spirit.

Moving Forward: “What is God’s purpose for my life?” and “Am I prepared to begin my new life in Christ by forgiving others and myself?” are the key questions to gaining victory over your past through Jesus Christ.

To embrace God’s promise of doing something new in our lives is a conscious decision that requires us to take the first step toward God. We must desire a new beginning. Yes, we may have suffered and been victimized by others or made many past mistakes and now face the consequences of those choices, yet, Jesus loves us and desires to restart our lives.

We must question the status of our faith in God, is it steadfast or wavering?: “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Do we believe that God is All-Powerful? Then we pray for strength and courage to use our mustard seed faith to embrace our new lives.

“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?’ ” —John 5:6

We use our faith, even if it is weak to pray an honest prayer, God knows the true condition of our hearts. Our prayer of faith invites Jesus to heal us. Jesus does not heal us in stages—from our prayer of faith, we are immediately made well spiritually, mentally, and emotionally which also includes the gift of inner peace. Pray the simple but powerful prayer to be released from the imprisonment of your past and all unforgiveness. Our prayer of asking for Divine Help reconnects us to God who breaks the chains of our past by setting us free.

Prayer: “God, my faith is weak and I do not know how to forget my past nor do I know my purpose. Please forgive me for hatred toward those who hurt me. I forgive those who hurt me and I forgive myself for making negative decisions. Lord, I desperately need Your help. I ask You to reveal my spiritual gifts and talents and teach me how to use them to bring honor to Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”

Some individuals may require therapeutic intervention to learn how to replace negative behaviors with positive and productive strategies, yet humans cannot heal each other. Our cooperation with the Divine power of God gives us spiritual healing and victory over our past. We stay near to God through much prayer and consistent daily study of the Scriptures.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18, NASB

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’ ” (Matthew 11:28-30).

God promises to heal our brokenness which encompasses all of our mental and emotional challenges. We must possess a sound mind to enjoy a productive life, spiritual growth, and transformation to experience a healthy, thriving relationship with Jesus Christ and others.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Love God by thanking Him for today’s mercies of life. Our decisions should reflect God’s goodness for the mercies of the given day. If you must think about the past then it should be on the countless ways that God delivered you from complete devastation.

A new life in Christ begins with total dependence on God. Surrender is our gift of gratitude to God who guides us day by day. Our new lives can be compared to building a house. Christ is the foundation of our faith relationship with God. From our surrender, the Holy Spirit defines and teaches us how to incorporate the building blocks of faith, trust, and obedience to solidify our relationship with Christ.

Jesus also lived a purpose-driven life on this earth. His Divine earthly purpose: To preach, heal, and give us freedom from the wages of sin by dying on Calvary’s Cross. “Isaiah, the Hebrew prophet, lived about 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. The Book of Isaiah contains many prophecies about the coming Messiah, Jesus, which were made over 700 years before his birth.”

Proof that God uses ordinary people to proclaim His Greatness: The prophet Isaiah was given the prophetic purpose of Jesus Christ, the Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” (Isaiah 61:1).

In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus revealed His Earthly Purpose: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18).

“Jesus’ earthly purpose was to fulfill God’s will for humanity and to show the world how to live a life that reflects God’s perfection.”

The Radical Change of Saul’s Calling and Conversion to the Apostle Paul

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 5 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 6 ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ ” (Acts 9:1-2).

“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

Saul of Tarsus who persecuted the early Christian believers reveals that despite our past sins, habits, and atrocities when we accept Christ’s invitation to become our Savior, God forgives and forgets our past experiences and sins. Saul caused much havoc in the lives of the early Christians who ended up in jail and executed. If Saul did not believe in God’s forgiveness and healing power, guilt and defeat would have crippled his mind and kept him from fulfilling God’s divine purpose.

With Divine Power, Jesus Christ transformed treacherous Saul into the apostle Paul who started the early Christian churches and wrote most of the New Testament under the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life to cleanse us from all sinful unrighteousness, transform us with His righteousness, and reveal our God-given spiritual assignment to spread the message of His Love and soon coming.

You Are Chosen: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” —John 15:16

Through the Holy Spirit, you and I were chosen by Jesus to be His disciples and to witness His love, kindness, and compassion through our actions and spoken words. Our demeanor and interactions proclaim Jesus is Love and the Lord of our lives. Jesus chose the time and era you would be born and gave you a measure of faith, power, love, a sound mind (self-control), spiritual gifts, and natural talents.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

We are never alone! Throughout the Bible, we find that God patiently guides us by moving us forward one step at a time. If we devote ourselves to God then Jesus holds us in His Righteous right hand and guides us on the Chosen path which always leads to victory. When we know God’s Loving Character and His promises found in the Scriptures, we willingly place our lives in His hands as He leads us into our Divine purpose—to live victoriously on earth and with Him for eternity.

Lord God, we desire to move forward from our past and ask for Your Divine guidance, strength, and wisdom as we travel on the chosen path You have designed for us. Lord, give us courage as we use our faith to believe in Your promises to take care of us. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Praying For Inner Peace – “Peace, Be Still!”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 24, 2024

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Many individuals desire and seek peace. Every day a false man-made peace is marketed to attempt to alleviate our restless and agitated minds. Every day desperate people purchase apps, use mind-altering drugs, and relocate to isolated areas in their desperate search for the world’s version of peace. But true peace is a precious gift from God that cannot be purchased.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:22-26, NLT

Jeremiah was known as the “Weeping Prophet.” “Jeremiah came from a priestly family and was called as a youth to be a prophet. His ministry spanned the time before, during, and after the Babylonian capture and exile of some Judeans and the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of the land.”

What is spiritual peace? Jesus’ Peace is the divine gift of an inner calm and assurance that permeates our mind, body, and soul. To receive peace, we use our measure of faith to trust in God and remain hopeful because we believe God is Sovereign, loves us, and is always faithful.

God’s peace is given to us through prayer and as mysterious as receiving His peace appears, by faith, we receive Divine peace from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When we stay connected to Jesus Christ, the Source of Peace, through much prayer, Jesus gives His Peace which flows from Himself. Jesus’ peace is freely given to every believer who proclaims that Jesus is the Lord of their life. Daily surrender is evidence that we love God. Faithful obedience connects us spiritually to God and strengthens our heart-to-heart relationship with Christ.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

To admit to God that our faith is weak is a fact that He already knows. In tough times, we exercise humility by asking God for the courage to move forward in His strength. Jesus knows the human heart, we are frail and will succumb to our circumstances without His Divine strength. Jesus reminded the apostle Paul, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…’ ” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We can enjoy the rich blessing of abundant peace despite our present struggles. Yes, Jesus’ peace is a gift wrapped in His Divine love. From personal experience, praying in faith through total surrender gives us peace that eliminates all worries, anxieties, and fears. “Pray continuously!” Have you placed your life in God’s hands? Even in the raging storms of life, surrendering our will to God invites Jesus to proclaim, “Peace Be Still!”

“It is Well with My Soul” is a Christian hymn written by Horatio Gates Spafford in 1873 that expresses faith in God and peace in times of tragic

loss. He lost his three children, one to sickness, and the two daughters in a shipwreck which only his wife survived. Can we proclaim that it is well with my soul even when walking through a season of financial loss, marital dissolution, life-changing illness, or the death of loved ones?

God knows that harsh situations will cause anguish and many tears of sorrow. If we view God as a loving Heavenly Father whose goal is to save our souls then we will not become angry or blame Him in times of adversity. We were created to be needy and dependent on God. Accepting our limitations by asking for His Divine Help in our deepest sorrows results in an immediate response from our Triumphant King.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” —Mark 4:39

From our petitions of prayer, Jesus, the Commander of Angel Armies sends His peace through the Holy Spirit and dispatches angels who comfort us. Jesus, God, the Son in His earthly life described Himself as a “Man of Sorrows.” We have a Loving and Compassionate Savior who always provides the Divine peace that soothes our souls and heals our broken hearts.

“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).

Bible Study: Mark 4

Lord God, our storms are raging and we ask in faith for your Divine Help and gift of peace. We need strength and the courage to move forward. Heal our brokenness and direct us on the Path of Righteousness. God, we trust You and rely on You to help us live as victorious overcomers while preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

References: Stand Up Like Jeremiah, Adventist Review