For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
2021 brought so many changes in my life that I could have never imagined. Most of the changes didn’t feel good, nor did I understand God’s plan for me. In January, I received a call regarding the intent to sell the leased property that I had lived in for six years. I prayed, asking God to reveal His plans for my life. As I began to look for new housing, the waiting lists for vacancies were averaging six months. When did small-town life become so appealing? Still, I told God that I trusted in Him, although every door was closed. But those were my thoughts based on my circumstances.
Because our Heavenly Father knows that we have fragile hearts and often become overwhelmed with our circumstances, He reminds us, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
God pushed the restart button. He revealed His love and plans by relocating me from point A to point B, 1500 miles away from my comfort zone. How did I know it was God? Because when God fulfills His promises, supernatural miracles are revealed that no human can perform. As you witness the blessings from the open windows of heaven (Malachi 3:10), it is evident that God’s divine intervention is at work. God does everything for His glory: And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Never worrying about the future is our gift when we place our lives in the hands of God. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7.
Bible Study: Matthew 6:25-34
Prayer: God, we are weary from the worries and anxieties we have placed on ourselves from not trusting in you. We desire to put our lives in your hands. We come to you with many challenges that are unsolvable without your help. Please help us to overcome our lack of faith and trust in you. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
During the last ten years of my nursing career, I transitioned from working in direct patient care facilities to corporate healthcare settings. The culture differed significantly in that the drive to compete against coworkers is the standard and considered a strength. But the most thought-provoking was the interviewing process. I can recall the first time that I was asked, “If you are hired, what are your expectations of the company?”
My answer, “I expect the company to adhere to their policies, provide additional training to increase my knowledge base, and provide me with the ability to independently perform my job within my probationary period.” Yes, I was hired. I was confident in my expectations because a very close friend, a nursing colleague, explained the differences in the culture and goals between clinical nursing positions and non-clinical, corporate positions prior to my interview.
Yesterday, I received a package from Amazon, and the driver’s hat said, “Faith over Fear.” We chatted briefly about the goodness of God. He shared a story with me about a prior delivery where the customer relayed that she was very discouraged in her relationship with God.
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
We are allowing our feelings [emotions] and circumstances to overshadow our love relationship with Jesus Christ. The root of the problem? We lack knowledge of God’s promises that are in the Bible. Secondly, we are caught up in the busyness of life, which makes our prayer life nearly nonexistent.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Our relationship with God is not thriving because we do not have any expectations of God. Do we know His character? Our Heavenly Father’s precious promises are in the scriptures. It is faith, not overconfidence, when we expect God to keep His promises. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Relationships fail without communication–prayer is essential for spiritual growth. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:6.
The corporate job was high-stress. But during my lunch hour, I went to my car, ate lunch, listened to music, prayed, and read a few Bible verses. Not only was I spiritually re-energized, but the mid-day worship also provided the physical strength to drive the 60-minute distance home.
Believe that God never intended for us to struggle through life without the help of the Spiritual team, God, the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the messenger angels.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
The only way to have complete joy during the peaceful and the dark, stormy times is to have great expectations. We must pray with faith and believe that God will always keep his promises.
Make a change in your study habits: Utilize a hard copy of the Bible and an audio Bible app to read and hear the scriptures. Consider listening to the song “Great is thy Faithfulness” before having worship.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Bible Study: Psalm 27
Prayer: God, thank you for being faithful in your promises to us. We desire to strengthen our relationship with you. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Throughout Jesus’ life, He stayed close to God by constantly praying for strength. Jesus lived a life having devout love for God and others. The compassion to heal, speak words of hope, and provide for basic needs was evident by the many miracles He performed. Yes, Jesus is our role model for living righteously.
Casting all your care on him, for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. It takes strong determination to have faith in God. We cannot accomplish this daily task without the strength given by the Holy Spirit. To receive the power to overcome temptation and hardships, we must stay connected to God through constant prayer.
Of the many activities we do in life, prayer is the most important. Our willingness to trust and obey God is reflected by the amount of time we spend with him. Prayer is for our benefit. Through prayer, we experience change. We live a faith-based life having the confidence that God will always provide deliverance. Prayer allows us to redirect our focus from earthly trials and look forward to eternal life. “Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
God, we come to you on this Sabbath day acknowledging that you love and care for us. We have the desire to stay connected to you. Please restore the joy and peace that we have lost. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 88 is the one song that King David wrote, which begins in despair and ends in despair.
Beginning: O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near.
Ending: You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend.
The dark times in our lives may feel as if we have been abandoned by God, our family, and friends. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Joshua 1:5. We should not attempt to ask “why” or use analytical deduction to figure out the reason for our dark times.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
In my personal experience, God has used the temporary state of darkness to draw me closer to Him, and to build my faith. The reality is that we need the trials and tribulations to stay on the path that leads us to the Light, Jesus Christ. Remember Job and his dark period? God told Satan that Job was a righteous and faithful man. Job faithfully served God, yet, he endured extreme suffering. God is aware of how much each of us can bear. Our Omnipotent God knew that Job would remain faithful, even through an extended period of darkness. It is God who allows our tribulations for the purpose of preparing us for our greatest reward: Eternal life!
Pray through the Darkness
Human beings have fragile hearts, we can only take so much before we are ready to completely give up. But I would like to invite you to change the manner in which you are praying. If you were speaking to your best friend would you repeat the same conversation over and over each time you chatted? God is our Heavenly Father, Jesus is our Savior, and Heavenly Intercessor, and the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. Pray with honesty: “God, I am feeling the worst that I have ever felt in my life. Please show me that you are here and that you love me. Jesus, help me!”
There is power in the Name of Jesus!
The darkness places us in the position to desperately look for the Light, who is Jesus Christ. Seeking God through His Son, Jesus is the only way to escape the darkness, and as young children, we must approach God with transparency. God does not require eloquent four-syllable words for us to communicate with Him. He desires that we pray with humility and honesty.
Praying through the Darkness
Where do we take our anguish? Do we call our family or friends? We can, but only after we take it to God in prayer.
Do not stop praying! Prayer meets our inner need to connect to God, our Heavenly Father.
The benefits of praying in our darkest hour:
Freedom from Fear, Psalm 118:56.
Strengthens Your Soul, Psalm 138:3.
Receive Guidance, Isaiah 58:9-11.
God-given Wisdom and Understanding, Daniel 9:20-27.
Deliverance from Harm, Joel 2:32.
Rewards for being Alone with God, Matthew 6:6.
Gift of the Holy Spirit, Luke 11:13.
Fullness of Inner Joy, John 16:23-24.
Complete Peace, Philippians 4:6-8.
Freedom from Anxiety, 1 Peter 5:7.
The scriptures for the Benefits of Prayer are from a sermon that I listened to by a powerful, and annointed Woman of God, who believes that our worst problem is not praying enough. I am inclined to agree with the Pastor, “Why is it so hard for us to pray?” The good news is that we can break the habit of ignoring God immediately. I encourage each of you to make a covenant with God in the year 2021 that you will begin to “Pray without ceasing.”
There is a simple but powerful song: God answers prayers in the morning, God answers prayer at noon, God answers prayer in the evening, so keep your heart in tune.
Bible Study: The 10 verses listed that explain the benefits of prayer.
God, we admit that we have failed in honoring you with our prayers and praise, and for this intentional sin, we ask forgiveness. Thank you for the privilege of prayer and for being our Heavenly Father. As we worship you daily, may we draw closer to you and prepare for the soon coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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