“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, Amplified Bible).
The challenges, disappointments, and hardships, we experience are allowed for the purpose of strengthening our faith, trust, obedience, and dependency on God.
“Be holy for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16). We can come to Jesus just like we are, but we cannot stay that way.
The Holy Spirit can only sanctify those who willingly live a life of daily surrender and faithful obedience to follow and obey Jesus Christ, our Shepherd.
Our earthly lives are the only opportunity that we have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, Who gradually [day by day] changes our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Jesus’ Righteous Character.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8, NIV).
Lord God, Creator of this universe and every living thing, we humbly bow in Your Holy Presence on the Holy Sabbath asking for the forgiveness of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lord, we have faced a week filled with many challenges, including spiritual warfare that has left us depleted. We are in need of the blessings of spiritual renewal, restoration, and healing of our mind, body, and soul. We pray for a Christ-like spirit to love others, including our enemies. Jesus, we thank You for loving us unconditionally; we praise You for the blessings we received, including angelic protection from all harm. Thank You for giving us the Sabbath, a time to rest, and redirect our focus to reflect deeply on Your Love, Grace, Mercies, and Faithfulness. We also ask You to strengthen the global Christian Community, especially those who are being persecuted for accepting and following Jesus. In faith and with gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Savior and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Lord God, we thank You for loving us so much that You designated 24 hours to focus on Your Love, and worship You in spirit and Truth. We look forward to Eternity, when we will worship King Jesus with the angels. Until that glorious day of Your Second Coming, we ask for the Sabbath Blessings of peace, joy, wisdom, and mental, emotional, and physical rest, renewal, and restoration. As we study your Holy Words of Life, we ask for the Holy Spirit to bless us with the spiritual discernment to understand and apply Your Truth to our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me, For I am distressed and needy [I long for Your help].”
“Hear, O Lord, my prayer; And listen attentively to the voice of my supplications” (specific requests)!
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.”
“Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk and live in Your truth; Direct my heart to fear Your name” [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].
“I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore.” (Psalm 86: 1, 6-7, 11-12, Amplified Bible)
The Psalms are songs expressing praise and worship to God, heartfelt distress, remorse, confession, and repentance.
The Psalms also teach us how to seek God for help, guidance, comfort, and protection.
The Psalms are prayers written by David and other appointed musicians, including King Solomon.
Yes, the Psalms are the honest, heartfelt cries of righteous men, who were not ashamed to express the true feelings in their hearts to the Most-High God.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5, Amplified Bible).
Although many believers incorrectly perceive David as suffering from depression, David was not depressed.
“Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house.” (2 Samuel 12:11).
Because of his shameless sins against God of committing adultery with Bathsheba, and ordering for her husband to be killed, David lived under a God-given curse that there would never be peace in his household.
Although two of David’s Sons, Princes Absalom and Adonijah attempted to remove their father as King, God intervened, never allowing harm to come to King David.
“I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore.” (Psalm 86:12).
“The Psalms represent a personal, sincere, and lifelong commitment to worshiping God with one’s entire being (mind, emotions, and will) rather than through empty ritualistic worship practices.”
Through prayer, we have the privilege of expressing our love and gratitude for God’s love, forgiveness, guidance, and protection from spiritual warfare and our enemies.
But most importantly, our prayers should express our recognition of God’s Righteous and Loving Character, His Sovereign Authority, and gratitude for His Abundant Blessings of Grace and Mercies.
Psalm 25:4–5: “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God My Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”
Because we cannot foresee the future, nor do we know what will happen in the next few minutes or hours on the given day, we immediately pray, asking God to reveal His plans, and to guide and protect us.
“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6).
Each new day, we receive the merciful gift of time; and with appreciation, we whisper words of gratitude for God’s Faithfulness.
Love is reciprocal. Yes, as soon as we wake up, our love for God is expressed by the immediate response, “Thank You, God for the gift of today. “
A Christian author expresses the reasons that her daily morning worship with God is vital: “This time alone with God prepares me for what I will need throughout the day. He’s equipping me to handle what is ahead with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.”
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).
God’s Loving Promise: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15, NIV). Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: Psalm 86
Prayer: “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. 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 86:15-17, NKJV).
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NKJV)
In the Routine Challenges of Life, Unexpected Situations, Lingering Circumstances, and Life-Changing Adversities, we can experience Jesus’ Joy, Peace, and Happiness.
I pray that you are encouraged by this Life-Changing Sermon that teaches us: Jesus is Lord, Jesus Loves us, and Jesus is Omnipotent [All Powerful]! Yes and Amen!
Lord Jesus, please empower us to use our faith to trust in You and to perceive life with You as Victorious, despite our hardships. We ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, Amplified Bible).
Those who pray and study the Bible, believing that God’s Promises are “Yes and Amen” will always have the strongest faith and trust in God’s Sovereign Power.
Throughout the Bible, God describes His Righteous, Loving, and Patient Character; The Holy Scriptures reveal His Sovereign Authority over humanity, and proclaim His Promises and Commitment to take care of the righteous.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NIV).
Knowing who God is strengthens our faith. And because we believe that God is who He says He is, we trust in His Power, which is the spiritual catalyst to having courageous faith!
Whether we are facing the routine challenges of life or an impossible adversity, knowing God gives us the courage to respond with an immediate prayer asking for God’s Divine Help.
God’s Response To Our Prayers of Faith: “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)
Good News Translation: “Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers.” (Isaiah 65:24).
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we commit to establishing a relationship with Him that requires learning His Character, praying, studying the Bible, and following our Shepherd with a commitment of daily surrender and faithful obedience.
The Holy Spirit inspired four different writers to document The Life of Christ in the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which indicates that it is a spiritual priority [for us] to know who Jesus is.
Jesus Asks His Disciples, “Who do you say I am?”
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?'”
“They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'”
“But what about you?’ He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?'”
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'”
“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.'” (Matthew 16:13-17, NIV).
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18).
It is impossible for us to trust Jesus when He is a stranger. Only believing that God exists is not enough to be a faithful Christian; many unbelievers also believe that God exists, yet they will never accept that Jesus is God, the Son, and the Redeemer, Savior, and Sovereign Authority over humanity.
“But why do you call Me, ‘Lord Lord’ and not do as I say?” (Luke 6:46).
To love Jesus is to obey Him. When we love Jesus, we place all of our faith and trust in His Plans and Divine Guidance. Following Jesus always requires obedience, which is the true test of our faith.
Each morning, we have the opportunity to choose to follow Christ. If yes, the Holy Spirit guides and keeps us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, and empowers us with Jesus’ Wisdom, Strength, and Perfect 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).
When we know and trust Jesus as our Shepherd and Triumphant King, despite our circumstances, we can rely on our Mighty Warrior’s Promises to never leave us or forsake us, and to always fight our battles.
The Followers of Christ Daily Prayer: “Lord, I cannot fight my battles without Your help. Jesus, I am asking You to be with me. Help me to redirect my faith and focus from my circumstances to You. Jesus, I desperately need Your help. I confess that my faith is weak, still, I believe in Your Promises and Your Power. In Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen
When we pray, we are to believe that we have received the victory. Praise and thank God for the victory, even before it comes. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, You Are Holy, Holy, Holy. You are the Sovereign Authority of this universe, and with humility and surrender, we bow before Your Throne of Grace on this Holy Sabbath, worshiping You, because You are the Most-High God. Lord, we ask you to forgive us of our sins against You. We thank You for The Plan of Redemption, which required the death of Your Precious Son, God, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, we thank You for humbling Yourself to come to this earth, in poverty to save our souls. We are in desperate need of the abundant blessings of spiritual renewal and restoration. Lord, we thank You for bringing us safely through this week. We are weary, yet, we look forward to the blessings of strength, peace, joy, and happiness that comes from placing our faith and trust in You. Thank you for giving us 24 hours to forget about the routine duties of life and redirect our focus to worshiping You on the Sabbath that You Sanctified and made Holy. We surrender to Your Sovereignty and look forward to the day when we will see You face to face in all of Your glory. In faith, we praise Your Holy Name and ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NRSV).
Personal Testimony: Living on the East Coast of Florida is a wonderful place to live if you do not mind hot, humid weather, and love the ocean. However Florida has one drawback that almost every Floridian has experienced and that is the overgrowth of mold.
On August 10th, 2026, I looked under my bathroom vanity cabinet and could not believe what I was seeing, the wall was covered with black mold. So, I decided to look under the lower kitchen cabinet and that wall was also covered with mold.
At that point, I knew that my calm and peaceful life that God had blessed me with was interrupted. Yet, I did not know that this would be one of the toughest journeys of faith, I have experienced in many years.
What happened next was shocking, the property manager and maintenance supervisor insisted and agreed that it was only mildew.
The Property Manager refused to follow the company’s Mold and Mildew Policy, which required sending a licensed Mold Inspector to assess and perform testing of almost two hours duration.
At this point, I prayed and asked for God’s Divine guidance; “God, should I hire a Mold Inspector?” God revealed His answer of “Yes” in a Supernatural manner that you know that He is God.
Divine Intervention #1: On Wednesday, I called the Mold Inspection company that is located one hour from my home, explained the situation to the receptionist, who said they were booked, but she would speak to the owner. Within 30 minutes, she called telling me that my inspection was scheduled for Friday morning.
Divine Intervention #2: Instead of one of the company’s technicians performing the Mold Inspection, God sent Jared, the owner of the company, who performed extra testing at no charge.
Four days later, I received the Mold Inspection report along with the Lab results: The species of mold that was present is airborne, and from my nursing background, I know that it always attacks the Respiratory System, especially those with a diagnosis of Asthma, which I have.
“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers…” (Psalm 91:3-4).
Divine Intervention #3: Although this mold species is airborne, the test for airborne spores was negative: “No airborne spores present” in my apartment.” Hallelujah!
Further inspection revealed that the bathroom and kitchen subfloors were damaged by the hidden leaky water pipe in the wall leading to the bathroom faucet, and contained a large amount of mold growth.
I emailed the property manager the report and the Management company responded immediately by scheduling three Mold Remediation companies to inspect the apartment, and submit their bids.
The approved company was scheduled to begin the Remediation process today, Friday, September 18th.
Ten days ago, I received the preparation instructions, which required the relocation of all of the bathroom and kitchen items to my living and sleeping areas. I prayed, asking God for the wisdom and strength, and finally, after ten days, the rigorous task was completed.
Every day, I prayed for Divine guidance during the entire process; God answered my prayer by giving me the wisdom and strength to relocate two rooms into the 50% of the remaining areas, like playing with Legos, everything was stacked perfectly.
Because there were no vacant apartments available on the property, I was told that I would have to find temporary housing, during the Remediation process, and Florida State laws do not require the Landlord to cover the expenses.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV).
Divine Intervention #4: Jesus pays attention to the small details. He directed me to book an Airbnb that I thought was an apartment, but it is a separate house, on the owner’s property. I feel as if I am at a Spa; the host is friendly, and her flower garden is phenomenal, including beautiful orchids.
“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, ESV).
Jesus, our loving Shepherd is also “Yahweh Yireh), which translates to ‘The Lord will provide.'” God provided the finances for a two-week stay, allowing me to have a wonderful vacation while my apartment is remediated and renovated.
“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5, ESV). there was one major concern of the Remediation process that I immediately prayed about when I was informed of the start date of Friday, 9/18/2026.
Still, there was one major concern of the Remediation process that I immediately prayed about when I was informed of the start date of Friday, 9/18/2026.
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…” (Exodus 20:8-9, NIV).
The Remediation crew planned on performing and completing the demolition, working from early Friday morning until late into Friday night, after sunset, which would be the beginning of the Sabbath. God honors and blessed those who honor and obey His Commandments.
Divine Intervention #5: This morning, 9/18, I was notified via email by the Property Manager of the delay to begin Remediation; Their Corporate office was still processing the payment to the Remediation company, and the pending date for the initial Remediation is rescheduled for Monday, September 21st.
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.” (Psalm 24:1, NLT).
“Behold I am the God of all flesh, is there anything too difficult for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27).
In these Scriptures, God proclaims His Divine, Infinite Power and His Absolute Sovereignty over all creation. God has no limitations. And God will reveal His power to those who put their complete faith and trust in him.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV).
The following are notes from a Sermon entitled “God Is On Your Side,” by Pastor Pavel Goia:
“Trust that God is Faithful! Do not look at your challenges, look to God. God has the necessary means; Pray and ask for His plans to be revealed instead of your own.”
“To know God is life eternal. We only worry when we do not know God’s Loving Character. God is always on our side and if God is for us, who can be against us?”
“When we focus on God, God will focus on us, and fight our battles. We are not supposed to fix our problems, we are supposed to give them to God.”
“Study and Believe in God’s Written Word (His promises in the Bible). Keep praying! God loves us more than we understand. Choose to believe and keep praying.”
“In faith, when we pray and ask Jesus for help, the prayer is answered. We may have to wait, which is a test of our faith. We may not see the answer, but trust God with all your heart.”
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:8-10).
The difference between Christian Believers and unbelievers is that our faith, trust, and focus are directed to God, Who loves us with an Everlasting Love, and promises to take care of us.
Brothers and Sisters, if we love God then why do we continue to distrust His love and countless promises to take care of us? The Sovereign God, who gave His only Son, Jesus to die for us deserves our love and loyalty.
We must let go of the self-reliance that unbelievers practice, revealing that they despise God’s Sovereign Authority.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23, ESV).
This overwhelming situation brought me to a Spiritual Crossroads, requiring me to make a choice: Would I make a covenant with Jesus to surrender myself completely to follow my Shepherd with faithful obedience, trust, and reverence?
When we face impossible situations, we cry out to God for help, but are we willing to live the sacrificial life of self-denial and faithful obedience required to follow Jesus?
“Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21, ESV). God reads human hearts, knowing whether or not our commitment is genuine.
Today, I enjoyed the beauty of Melbourne Beach. Although the warmth of the sun and the warm breeze felt great, as I looked at the ocean, the waves were raging with visible strength, and no one attempted to enter the water, yet the sky was absolutely beautiful.
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us that our Christian Journey will be one that includes many hardships and adversities, but to remain faithful and courageous because He has overcome. Hallelujah! Yes, Jesus loves us!
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17).
Lord Jesus, we cry out to You, because we cannot live without Your Divine Help. Jesus, we thank You for being our Shepherd, Redeemer, Provider, Protector, Healer, and Risen King. We love You, Lamb of God, and with gratitude, we worship You for relinquishing Your Divinity to come to this earth to live in poverty, and suffer, bleed, and die a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross to save our souls. In Victory, from the grave You arose, proclaiming that You have the keys to hell and death, which will be destroyed when you come again as our Triumphant King. Hallelujah! This Sabbath, we honor You, King Yeshua with love, faith, obedience, and loyalty. This Sabbath, we worship You on the day that You made Holy. Jesus, we thank You, for loving us with an Everlasting Love. In faith and with reverence, we ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“A Free, Undeserved Gift: Grace cannot be earned through human merit, good works, or costly offerings. Our deep need and unworthiness qualify us to receive it simply by asking.”
“God’s Grace is defined as an unearned, free gift of Divine favor and power given to undeserving human beings to save, transform, and empower them to obey God’s Moral Law [Exodus 20] out of love.
“If you love me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15, ESV).
“Harmony with the Law: Grace does not replace or nullify God’s Moral law. Instead, Grace and the Law work in perfect harmony, with Grace giving believers the spiritual power to align their lives with God’s Commandments.”
For it is written, Be holy, for I Am Holy. (1 Peter 1:16). “God’s Grace Is A Catalyst for Transformation: Sanctifying Grace actively works within a believer to renew the heart, quicken the conscience, and purify thoughts.”
The converted heart perceives Jesus as a Loving Savior, who redeemed humanity from the second and final death [the price of sin], with His death on Calvary’s Cross.
The mind and commitment of Jesus’ dedicated followers is to honor and worship Him with daily surrender and faithful obedience, always acknowledging Christ as their Resurrected and Triumphant King!
Yeshua is our Loving and Faithful Shepherd, who is steadfastly committed to protecting and providing for His sheep.
Jesus Christ is Heaven’s Mighty Warrior and Commander of Angel Armies, who are commissioned to protect the righteous from Satan, our greatest enemy.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). To follow Jesus, we must love Him, learn His Righteous Character and Attributes, and study to learn how He lived in His earthly life.
To know Jesus requires knowing His Life and the Truth of His Righteous Principles. The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John document The Life of Christ in the Holy Bible.
God’s Grace is freely given to those who actively desire to receive its Life-Giving Power.
Every day, our gratitude for the gift of God’s Grace is revealed by spending time in personal worship, expressing gratitude for His Steadfast Love and Faithfulness, and asking God to reveal His Will and Plans.
Loving God is the spiritual catalyst that produces humility and the willingness to surrender to God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways [Isaiah 55:8-9].
Faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the Holy Scriptures and our thoughts. God, the Holy Spirit communicates God’s Divine Plan to every believer, who uses their faith to surrender with the commitment to follow Jesus.
Active participation in our Salvation includes learning to hear Jesus’ Voice. When facing challenges, it is best not to involve other people, which facilitates the astute recognition of Divine Guidance.
We can differentiate Jesus’ Voice from our thoughts because Divine Thoughts and Instructions always reveal that God is Holy; and God always gives Glory and Honor to Himself, because He is The Sovereign Authority of this universe.
Obedience To God Is True Worship: Remaining Covered By God’s Grace
God’s Grace: We were Justified [forgiven of our sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness] when we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). From obeying Jesus’ Voice [His plans for our lives], we remain covered by His Righteousness, which is required for our Salvation and Sanctification.
Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of our mind, character, and personality being changed from carnal unholiness into Christ’s Righteous Character.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25). Prayer keeps us connected to Christ.
Through daily surrender, we proclaim that Jesus is the Lord of our life; yet, it is continuous faithful obedience that reveals if Jesus is sitting on the throne of our heart as our Lord, Shepherd, and King.
Remaining Under The Spiritual Umbrella of God’s Grace
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
Spiritual growth and character transformation require the human effort of daily total surrender and cooperation with God. To remain anchored In Christ, we cease making decisions without spiritual guidance.
Surrender is revealed by letting go of our desires and plans in exchange for seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).
To remain covered by Grace, our lifestyle is one of continuous worship; Praying, Waiting for God’s answer, and Obeying His instructions, keeps us in Right Standing with God.
Through God’s Grace, the Journey of Spiritual Transformation is performed by the Holy Spirit, yet, we must actively participate in our Salvation.
The Fruit of The Spirit Describes Christ’s Righteous Character
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
We cannot change ourselves. The Fruit of the Spirit are Divine Attributes, which require the intervention of the Holy Spirit and our commitment to follow and obey God, and to live righteously.
To remain covered by God’s Grace, we let go of all behaviors, habits, lifestyle choices, and relationships that do not represent the Pure Righteousness of Jesus Christ.
“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.” (Galatians 5:24-25).
From our commitment to put our faith and trust in the Strength of Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live a sacrificial life of self-denial. Every day, we will be tempted and our faith will be tested, Prayer is our Spiritual Weapon!
Through prayer, we have immediate access to Divine Help. Whisper prayers continuously throughout your day, always asking for the Spiritual Wisdom to recognize temptation and the Spiritual Strength to renounce sin in all of its devious forms.
Our Christian Journey requires faith, trust, courage, obedience, perseverance, and endurance. The psalmist, King David assures us, “When the righteous cry out for help, the Lord delivers them.” Yes and Amen!
Like the great Niagara Falls, God’s Grace, Mercies, and Power flows continuously to the heart of every surrendered believer; Jesus, our Loving Shepherd is always ready to give us Divine Help.
“Give us our daily bread” has a physical and spiritual meaning: To remain connected to Christ, we must receive the spiritual food of supernatural wisdom, strength, and power from the Holy Spirit to navigate in our spiritual journey.
Reflection: God’s Grace is the undeserving, free gift of His Divine Love, Favor and Power.
Jesus, our Shepherd leads us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness; and the Holy Spirit gives us the instructions and wisdom to live righteously, preparing us for an eternity in the presence of a Holy and Righteous God.
As time rapidly progresses toward the Second Coming of Jesus, we cannot afford to be separated spiritually from our Shepherd. A steadfast relationship with Jesus is required to be covered by His Grace.
To navigate through this tumultuous spiritual journey, we must stay under the Cover of Jesus’ Divine Grace, which invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the supernatural wisdom and strength to “fight the good fight of faith.” Yes and Amen.
Lord God, we approach the Throne of Grace, realizing that we are powerless without Your Divine Presence, Guidance, and Power. We ask You to cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness, and to give us the strength to keep persevering through our earthly spiritual journey. In faith, we commit to following Jesus, to establishing a life of worship filled with prayer, gratitude, and praise for Your continual faithfulness. We ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“For it is written, Be holy, for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10: 2-3).
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the members of the Church in Rome, who attempted to become righteous and live holy using their own thoughts and strength.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Because we inherited sinful hearts, it is impossible for us to use our thoughts and strength to live righteously. We must receive Divine Help to overcome the internal sinful desires of our hearts and Satan’s covert temptations.
“Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, BSB).
The Plan of Redemption Includes Divine Help From Heaven: Jesus, Our Savior and Intercessor, the Holy Spirit [John 14:26], and the Heavenly angels [Psalm 91].
When we confess our sins (1 John 1:9), through our faith, we are saved by God’s Grace; the Holy Spirit lives within us; and Jesus, The Commander of Angel Armies, assigns guardian angels to every righteous believer.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Active Participation Is Required in the Plan of Salvation
We accept Christ as our personal Savior; abide in Christ through consistent prayer and diligent study of the Holy Scriptures [The Bread of Life]; and the Holy Spirit dwells within us, unless we choose to rebel against God.
We cannot serve God with a divided heart. It is impossible for us to be a “Worldly Christian,” either we are living righteously, or we are living in sin.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14).
Always ask this question before you participate: Does this honor the Holy and Sovereign God?
Although we face many temptations in our spiritual journey, we were created with spiritual gifts, giving us the ability to discern between right and wrong:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control, discipline].” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Loving and honoring God includes the daily covenant promise to be a faithful and obedient follower of Jesus Christ: “I love God and I will not sin against Him.”
We have received the ability to establish and maintain boundaries. Satan does not have the power to coerce us to sin against God. Choosing sin is a conscious and willful choice to rebel against God.
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT).
“Power Over Temptation: God gives the soul united with Christ the active spiritual strength needed to overcome evil, meaning a converted person does not choose a lifestyle of willful disobedience.”
Our True and Proper Worship
“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. 2 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).
“Pray continuously!” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer immediately connects us to Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor, Who gives us His strength through the Holy Spirit to overcome all temptations.
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14, NLT). We use our faith to believe in and trust God, whose Wisdom is Infinite.
And from studying the Holy Scriptures, we redirect our Focus from the distractions of this world to our spiritual journey with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will lead us, correct us, and protect us from satanic warfare.
Through daily prayer, we surrender to following Jesus Christ, and God, the Holy Spirit begins the process of Sanctification: The lifelong journey of Spiritual Growth and Character Transformation into the Righteousness of Christ.
We are Temporary Travelers Living on a Temporary Earth that is almost out of time. We do not know the exact time or date when Jesus is Coming; but we are 100% certain that His promise will be fulfilled.
“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so that he will not go naked and be publicly shamed.” (Revelation 16:15).
Meaning of the Verse
It warns believers to stay spiritually ready.
“Coming like a thief” means a sudden, unexpected arrival.
“Remaining clothed” means keeping your faith and good deeds active, so you are not caught unprepared.
“I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, NIV).
Lord God, we ask You to give us the Divine Wisdom to use our time wisely to prepare for Your Ultimate Promise to the righteous in Revelation 22:12. We also ask You to empower us with the Spiritual Strength to renounce sin in every form, including our hearts desires that do not glorify and honor Your Holy Name. Lord, please open our eyes so that we can perceive life on a spiritual level, and give us the courage when facing opposition to renounce all that is unholy. We look forward to that Great and Glorious Day when You will come for the righteous. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5).
“The mind is the governing center of the soul. Separate your mind from the world!”
“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).
Through daily prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit gives us the deepest understanding of “God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways.”
Relying on God for guidance in our thoughts, decisions, actions, and routine tasks reveals that we love and revere God.
Obeying God is not a burdensome task. Faithful obedience is worship, revealing that we honor God’s Sovereign Authority as the Creator and Sustainer of our lives.
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28).
Faithful Obedience to the word of God reveals our desire to surrender, follow, obey, and worship Jesus Christ, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King.
Jesus Christ Is Our Ultimate Example of Faithful Obedience to God: “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).
Jesus proclaims that He always obeyed God. “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,” who prayed continuously, seeking the will and plans of God, the Father.
Before Christ came to this Earth, He was equal to God, the Father, so He had the same mind, thoughts, and power of God, His Father.
But as a human, developing from a baby to a man, Jesus had to learn obedience, and pray daily for God’s guidance, strength, the spiritual ability to discern people’s thoughts and intentions and the power to heal multitudes.
If Jesus, the Son of God had to pray daily for guidance, strength and power, how much more do we as human beings desperately need Divine Help?
God’s Invitation: “‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.'” (Jeremiah 33:3, Amplified Bible).
Sadly, most believers do not have the desire to receive spiritual wisdom and growth and transformation. What reward can we expect when Jesus comes, if we refuse to obey God?
The failure to consecrate ourselves daily to God with surrender, prayer and surrender, and Bible Study prevents us from receiving the spiritual and physical blessings that God desires to give to us.
An Amazing Fact: In Heaven, God, the Son, Jesus Christ spoke the Holy Scriptures given to righteous men by the Holy Spirit.
Yet, when Jesus was born as a human, Mary, His mother had the responsibility of teaching Him the Old Testament Scriptures.
In Luke Chapter 2, instead of returning with His parents, The Boy Jesus stayed behind discussing the Scriptures with the rabbis who were amazed at His knowledge.
At the age of 12, through the Holy Spirit, God, the Father revealed to the Boy Jesus that He was the Son of God.
“And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?'” (Luke 2:49).
Jesus was required to obey his parents, yet when He asked this question, “Why did you seek Me?” Mary was reminded that Gabriel, the Angel told her that she would conceive through the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God.
Praying, Waiting, and Obeying God’s Directives reveals the desire to serve God with humility and willingness to emulate The Life of Christ as written in the Holy Scriptures.
Reflection: “If you have no desire to become like Jesus, then what is the point of being a Christian?”
One of Satan’s most effective lies is that we can live as we desire and still remain in right standing with God and receive our reward of Eternal Life. But God tells us, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6).
The Bible Teaches Us God’s Righteous Expectations of Surrender and Faithful Obedience
“All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction [training, discipline] in righteousness, that the man [and woman] of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible was given to us by God to learn His Righteous Character, how He intervenes in our lives, and keeps us connected to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, who guides our minds and actions by teaching us how to live righteously.
King David reveals the spiritual habit that keeps us from falling into temptation and sinning against God: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11, NIV).
Do not believe the false teaching that Christian believers do not have to study the Bible. It is impossible for us to keep ourselves on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
Obeying God’s Truth Keeps Us On The Narrow Path of Righteousness: “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.” (Matthew 7:13).
The Spiritual process of Sanctification is the daily transformation of our mind, character, and personality into the Righteousness of Christ’s Character, which requires active participation and cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
We choose our destiny. Our role in the Plan of Redemption requires that we work on our salvation by praying, studying, learning, and obeying the word of God, the Holy Scriptures.
David’s Prayer: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5, ESV).
God’s Truth Replaces Our Thoughts With His Higher Thoughts
“God guides us with His Omniscient Mind. [From daily surrender] You are being guided by the only Mind that can see the past, present, and the future in real time.”
God’s Truth Heals and Restructures Our Minds
“God’s Truth not only heals our hearts, it also rebuilds our minds. Repetition of the Scriptures weakens old thought patterns, replacing them with God’s Truth, Grace, Joy, and Peace.”
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
When we perceive ourselves as being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and adopted into the Family of God, as His Sons and Daughters, day by day, we will seek God’s Divine Plans, and fulfill them through the Power of the Holy Spirit.
“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.” (Psalm 25:9).
Lord God, we confess and repent for our sins of disobedience by following our thoughts and living as we desire. We ask You to give us a pure heart that desires to strive for the Righteousness of Christ. Today, we renew our covenant to faithfully obey and follow Jesus. We ask the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and to guide our steps. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Practical Messages For Living In Impractical Times
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