Prayer – Page 10 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 2, 2024

“Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.” —Exodus 5:29

From the Glory of the Lord, Moses’ face revealed the Shekinah radiance that comes from worshiping in the presence of God. Thankfully, we have the privilege of entering God’s presence and enjoy a mountaintop experience during times of collective and personal worship.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Reflection: From God’s open invitation, we can approach God in reverent worship any time of the day or night. Are we readily seeking God to receive the only transforming power available to humanity?

Often there is a vast difference between our understanding of worshiping God in Spirit and Truth and God’s definition of worshiping Him. Worship requires a heart filled with love and total surrender to the will of God. Every day, we pray in faith, asking for God’s will to be revealed for the given day. Obedience to God is our sacrificial worship. Once we know His plans, we follow through by doing His will.

Worship is a lifestyle. Worship engages our mental and moral powers as we emotionally prepare ourselves to physically be in the presence of God. Worship extends beyond attending church. We incorporate deep, meaningful personal worship [at least twice a day] into our service to God.

“Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.” —Isaiah 6:2

In today’s Christian community, reverence for God has substantially declined. A few days ago, I was watching a South African music video and when I observed the level of reverence [most of the congregation were on their knees with uplifted hands] during the song of worship, I immediately repented for not reverencing God as He deserves. God is Sovereign and He is Holy!

“The fear [reverence] of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10). God is Holy! Through our intentional posture of surrender [on bended knees, if physically possible], we remind ourselves and acknowledge that God is not only Sovereign, but He is the reason we have life.

Personal worship requires meaningful preparation. We set aside uninterrupted time, eliminate all distractions, and leave our silenced cellular devices in another area. With the Bible in hand, we take a deep breath, proclaim praises of gratitude for our life, health, and strength, and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment during our Bible study.

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms [songs].” —Psalm 95:2

Worship is a time of rejoicing to thank God for all that He has done and all that He will do in our lives. We cannot let our feelings determine our perception of the goodness of God. It is a privilege to enter the presence of God. Whether we are in times of peace or hardships and sorrows, we give Him praise because He is always faithful.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

We begin by emptying our hearts of selfish desires and self-seeking attention with a prayer of repentance. We express our love for God by asking for His will to be revealed on the given day. The remainder of our prayer is dependent on our free expression between ourselves and God.

Pray honest prayers. God is not offended when we offer spoken words of truth. We do not have to be ashamed of confessing that our faith is weak, or we feel sad, disappointed, or due to a major life change, we do not know how to move forward. With God there is no pretense, He knows the true condition of our hearts.

What can we expect to receive during worship? “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

Through worship, the Holy Spirit imparts the spiritual and physical sustenance that is required for the given day, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). The Holy Spirit convicts and identifies our sins and unrighteous character traits. We receive the strength to change our habits and behaviors.

Sanctification—being transformed into the likeness of Christ [His love and character] and possessing the Fruit of the Spirit takes a lifetime.

God’s ultimate goal is to prepare us for eternal life. From our desire to be in the presence of God, we receive the benefits of His Shekinah glory. When we continue to persevere by offering our sacrifice of obedience to God in worship, our minds, characters, and personalities are transformed. From the depths of our spiritually energized souls, like Moses, our faces reflect the radiance of the Glory of God! Amen.

Prayer: God, we come to You offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. We make a covenant vow to surrender in faithful obedience to Your will. Lord, we praise You for the gift of Your life and the privilege of worshiping You. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Scriptural Prayers on the Lord’s Goodness

Scriptural Prayers on the Lord’s Goodness – Sabbath Scriptures – January 27, 2024

Through the Scriptures, we can embrace Christ and all His love and goodness for humanity. Making our relationship with Jesus is our number one priority in life. Be blessed, in Jesus’ Holy Name.

Ephesians 1:17-20 Prayer
I ask God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 3:16-19 Prayer
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Colossians 1:9-14 Prayer
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

The Lord’s Goodness

The Lord’s Goodness – Sabbath Devotional – January 27, 2024

We are loved by God who gave us His Son. Christ has the same overwhelming love for us. We receive angelic protection and daily provisions when we are in the right standing with God. In John 14, verses 1-3, we learn that Christ is in heaven preparing a forever home for the righteous believers.

Christ is our Heavenly Intercessor. The Holy Spirit immediately takes our prayers to Christ who answers every prayer according to God’s will. Prayers of confession and repentance, requesting discernment, guidance, protection, blessings, and expressions of gratitude are received by our Mediator, Jesus Christ. His goodness is overwhelming.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Truth to teach and give us discernment of the Holy Scriptures. We pray for and receive the wisdom to live righteously from the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual journey of Sanctification is guided by the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin and gives us the strength to overcome temptation and sin. The Lord’s goodness is without end.

“Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” —Lamentations 3:22-24

Although the prophet Jeremiah laments over his sufferings, he comes to his senses and acknowledges that the Lord is good despite his circumstances. At times our minds may gravitate toward tangible blessings—things that can be destroyed—His goodness of receiving the never-ending mercies of a new day of life, health, and strength is definitely praise-worthy.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?” or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles [unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:31-34

Jesus promised to take care of us by giving us daily provisions. This is an area of conflict in our minds because we have embraced the worldview of always worrying about our financial status in the unknown future instead of embracing the blessings that we received for the given day.

Yes, we may anticipate the greatest needs in a few days, next week, or next month, but our faith in Jesus’ promises should calm our fears and erase the false suppositions that we will not have enough for ourselves or our children. The goodness of the Lord includes the provision of our needs, not our desires.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17

Redirecting our focus on the character of Christ instead of ourselves allows every believer to have experiential knowledge of the Lord’s goodness. Once we recognize the Lord’s goodness, we will understand that we are saved by His grace and clothed with His Righteousness.

We belong to God. Through His Son, Jesus, who has assumed full responsibility for us, we are the recipients of daily blessings. And for the unmerited favor we receive our hearts should overflow with prayers of gratitude. Yes, the Lord is good! He is very, very Good!

Ephesians 3:16-19 Prayer
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. (17) Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. (18) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. (19) May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Choose Not to Sin

Choose Not to Sin – Devotional – January 25, 2024

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23, NIV

We were created with free will to choose an earthly life which may or may not include our choice for an eternal one. If we desire to live in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth then preparation begins now. From the Scriptures, we learn that God expects us to live a life pleasing to Him. Have you ever wondered how to show your love for God? One way to prove your love is by putting Him first in your life.

Because we honor God as the Sovereign Ruler we choose to seek and obey His will. From the moment we awaken to the gift of a new day, we make decisions that either strengthen our relationship with Christ or satisfy our heart’s desires. Our love for God is tested every day. It’s not easy, but making an effort to prioritize God above everything else is the only way to strengthen your relationship with Him.

We can proclaim love for God, attend church every week, and not engage in worldly activities, but fail to daily surrender our will to God. There can be no pretense of our love and loyalty to God. Not only does He know our innermost thoughts, but we are betrayed by our lifestyles which reflect the true status of our hearts. Comparing our morals and values to the Bible may reveal shocking answers. How did this happen?

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” —Jeremiah 17:9-10

Every believer is impacted by the sinful world we live in. We know this because our belief systems often include worldviews. Selfishness is the greatest sin among today’s Christians. Many believers do not feel it is their responsibility to witness and help those in need, they simply live for self-gratification. Our hearts are carnal and drive us to satisfy ourselves. Still, we cannot do things our way when we commit to a worshiper’s life of surrender and obedience.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” —John 14:15

Obedience is the distinguishing characteristic of Christ’s true followers. Faithful obedience to God reflects our choice to live righteously. Yet, we face a spiritual dilemma—continuous internal and [covert] external spiritual warfare. In our daily walk with Christ, we must choose to stand down our innate desires and say no to Satan’s temptations. We cannot rely on our knowledge, skills, courage, or strength, to choose not to sin is something we cannot accomplish alone.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” —John 14:16-17

As long as we have breath, we will face many temptations that appeal to our driven desires every day. Yet we choose to pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom to discern the deceptive temptations and empower us with the strength to choose not to sin. Relying on Spiritual guidance instead of our understanding results in victory over sin.

There is no middle ground. Our prayers reveal if we are for God or against God. If we desire to abide in Christ then we follow Christ’s example by praying a daily covenant of surrender to God’s will. Jesus gave His life so we could live as overcomers. We can live an earthly life filled with love, courage, and victory over sin when we follow Christ who is our Lord, Savior, and King.

From receiving the mercies of a new day, we express our gratitude through surrender. The prayer of surrender easily flows from loving hearts because, like Christ, we seek God’s will and plans for our lives. Each new day, we whisper a prayer for the Holy Spirit to empower us. And we cooperate with Divinity by using our free will to proclaim “No! I will not choose to sin by following my heart’s desires.”

Prayer: God, we thank You for the Holy Spirit who makes it possible for us to live victoriously when we choose to say no to sin. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

The Internal Battle of Surrendering to God’s Will

The Internal Battle of Surrendering to God’s Will – Devotional – January 19, 2024

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

Self-reliance is promoted as a character strength, yet for a Christian to function outside God’s will is not substantiated by the Scriptures. Our role model is Jesus. Faith, Trust, and Obedience are the righteous characteristics that Christ possessed in His earthly life. Jesus prayed continuously for God’s will to be revealed and without fail, He obeyed even unto the death on the cross.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” —Matthew 22:37

Our love for God is demonstrated by our dependency on Him. God reveals His promise to sustain us by giving us the mercies of a new day. We are covered by grace and our prayers of repentance are answered with the mercy of never-ending forgiveness. Our response of gratitude is expressed in a prayer of surrender asking for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will for the given day.

The truth is that the concept of surrender causes conflict in our minds and souls. Taking up our cross is to win the raging, internal battle by choosing to surrender and obey God instead of following our heart’s desires to please ourselves. Reflection on our lifestyles reveals whether or not we are in alignment with God’s will.

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23, NIV

When our actions reveal carefully planned agendas without God’s approval, we are manifesting symptoms of the heart condition, pride. Although it is the trend [even among Christians] to make plans, move forward, and then pray for God’s blessing, we are disobeying His Scriptural commands.

Unwavering love for God is the catalyst that propels us to disregard our heart’s carnal tendencies of unfaithfulness and disobedience. Love produces loyalty to God instead of self-satisfaction.

“The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:19

Self-reliance is the bitter fruit of pride that always produces sinful behaviors in opposition to God’s plans. Disobedience separates us from God and gives us the same status as the unrighteous. Still, we were created with the free will of choice, but we must choose who we will serve. God does not accept a form of sacrificial prayers from prideful, disobedient hearts who are following their paths of earthly success.

Who is more loving and powerful than our Father God? The desire to sustain our lives is a rejection of God’s promises. Our plans can easily take a detour which brings overwhelming situations and burdens. At some point, our self-reliance will hit a roadblock. Never worrying about life’s cares is only possible through a faithful dependency on God.

Loving God is the most important attribute of our character. Surrender is the loving humility that reverences and honors the Most-High God without hesitation. Daily surrender reveals that we are preparing for Kingdom life where the righteous will easily worship and obey God.

Yes, the faithful who surrendered on earth to the Sovereignty of God will receive their Heavenly reward, living forever in His presence and giving King Jesus their highest praise of worship and adoration. Amen. Praise the Lord!

Prayer: God, we are thankful for Your abundant love, grace, and mercies. Please reveal Your perfect will for us today. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Improving the Quality of Our Lives

Improving the Quality of Our Lives -Devotional – January 16, 2024

“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” —Isaiah 46:4

Having steadfast faith in God is the first step to improving the quality of our lives. Despite our rocky journey, if we remember that nothing comes as a surprise to God then we can live in peace. Christ is the Solid Rock. As long as we maintain our relationship with Him through surrender, faith, obedience, and prayer, we have the assurance that the Holy Spirit will guide us through every adversity and bring victory to our lives.

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’ ” (Psalm 27:8). Begin and end your day with worship. Separate yourself for uninterrupted time with God. When we enter the presence of God, we receive spiritual strength and peace. Despite our circumstances, we can trust God to give us victory.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies…” (Psalm 103:1-5). Always focus and meditate on the faithfulness and goodness of our Great God. Pray little prayers of gratitude throughout your waking hours for continuous spiritual refreshment.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ ” (Hebrews 13:5). Practice need over greed. This earth is our temporary home.
“Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies” (Psalm 27:11). Pay close attention to the spiritual warfare of distractions. We should not involve ourselves in matters that consume our time and steal our joy and peace. God never places us in chaotic situations. Always pray before you say yes.
“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). Strive for a gentle, Christ-like character. Live peacefully with others. Exercise self-control by using silence when facing confrontation. Pray for Divine intervention. God always resolves our battles when we surrender to His power.
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Do not harbor a spirit of offense! Unforgiveness is a sin. Anger, resentment, and vengeful thoughts are bitter fruits of hate. Establish boundaries, but let go of all unloving tendencies. We have too much to lose [our heavenly reward]. Christ never retaliated.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). King David realized that our eyes must be lifted above the highest earthly point toward heaven to live courageously. Dependence on God is an outward sign of internal surrender. Our Omnipotent Father waits for us to seek His help.
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:1-2). We were created to worship God. Our lives are sustained by Him. Praise defeats all anxieties and worries. Give glory and honor to our Loving God because He gave us His Son, Jesus.
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2, NIV). Our minds, bodies, and souls belong to God. Taking care of our mental, emotional, and physical health is vital for a steadfast relationship with Christ. Choose the most nutritious foods, learn to cook, and incorporate exercise into your lifestyle [preferably in nature]. Reduce stimuli by limiting the things you watch and listen to. Cease negative thoughts and spoken words. Pray often, laugh, and possess a heart of gratitude.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Change your definition of love according to the Scriptures.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” —Matthew 22:37

Our foundation is Christ with whom we must have a loving, heart-to-heart relationship based on our love for God. Our quality of life is directly linked to the amount of love that we have for God. His plans for us are above and beyond all that we could imagine.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever thought about how we often try to outdo God by striving for the best possible quality of life? It’s tempting to think that we can control everything and make our lives perfect, but we should take a step back and consider whether this is really the right approach. Trust God with your life!

Prayer: God, we surrender to Your loving plan for our lives. We ask for forgiveness for not trusting You. Thank You for never-ending grace, mercies, provisions, and protection, yet, most of all we thank You for the gift of Jesus and the plan of Redemption. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.

Trusting in the God of Completion

Trusting in the God of Completion – Devotional – January 8, 2024

“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

When studying the Bible, we learn about God’s Divine character. God is consistent and dependable, He always gives definitive instructions that result in victory. Believers are instructed to “Wait on the Lord, ” and “Do not trust your own understanding.” We are never told to follow our thoughts, develop strategies, or move forward unless directed by God. We know that the Holy Spirit is directing us because the outcome always brings glory and honor to God.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

Always pray and take your burdens, trials, and hardships to the throne of Grace first. Be very cautious when sharing your dilemma with others. Do not ask for answers or recommendations. When asking for prayer only disclose that you are facing a hard trial. An anointed prayer warrior will never ask you for additional information. Sometimes God uses a man or woman of God to relay His answer, but the person He uses is completely unaware of your circumstances.

Free will of Choice: Completion or Consequences

If we desire Divine intervention, God requires a prayer of faith asking for His help. Yet, there is a time of waiting. During the wait, either we will acknowledge [honor and reverence] God demonstrated through faith, trust, obedience, and patience, or, we will despise the waiting that we perceive as God’s silence and inactivity and follow our inclinations which results in suffering consequences.

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” —Psalm 37:7

The righteous do not have to suffer consequences! Only when we choose to disobey God can we reap sorrow and regret. There is a well-kept secret in the Christian community regarding, “I did it my way.” Many believers fail to share their true testimony—from their act of disobedience [following their thoughts and strategies] it appeared that all was well for a long time, yet, the consequences came to fruition many years later.

God’s Way: Completion and a Victorious Outcome!

“Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20

Based on the miracles of the parting of the Red Sea, Naaman being healed of leprosy, Kings Asa and Hezekiah winning impossible battles, and Hannah, Sarah, and Elizabeth having babies after years of infertility, we witness the love and power of a God who gives victory to those who obey and wait.

Yes, it is a struggle to patiently wait. During the wait, pray without ceasing, study the Scriptures, and use your power of a sound mind to stand down all wayward thoughts and feelings of impatience. Ask for help! The Holy Spirit empowers us to exercise self-control and resist our thoughts.

Obedience to God is always rewarded! When you experience the blessings [spiritual, material, healing…] pouring down from the windows of heaven because of the decision to be a faithful follower of Christ, your perception of God and relationship with Christ deepens. You will have a testimony to share that focuses on the goodness of God!

We have a loving Heavenly Father who desires the best for us and deserves our faith, trust, and obedience. Who else can we trust with our lives? The righteous who wait on the Lord stay in His perfect will and live peaceful and abundant lives without suffering consequences. It’s time that we trust in the God of completion and experience His victorious outcomes. Amen.

Prayer: Thank You God for providing stability in our lives. We desire to put our faith and trust in You because we love You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

Rejoice and Be Glad! Appreciation of God’s Great Love

Rejoice and Be Glad! Appreciation of God’s Great Love – Devotional – January 7, 2024

In 2 Kings, Sennacherib the king of Assyria defiantly sent a message to King Hezekiah boasting against the LORD: “Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: What confidence is this in which you trust? You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust that you rebel against me?” (2 Kings 18:19-20).

King Hezekiah prayed fervently to God for deliverance from the king of Assyria. The prophet Isaiah delivered God’s answer to King Hezekiah: “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: “He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it ” (2 Kings 19:32).

And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead” (2 Kings 19:35).

What is our first response when we face the unexpected vicissitudes of life? Do we pray immediately for Divine Intervention like King Hezekiah? Although we never think of fighting the spiritual warfare of physical harm without God’s help [the reason we pray for God’s Divine protection every day over our lives and those of our families], many believers attempt to resolve life’s challenges using their thoughts and strategies. Sadly, they never ask God for help until their solutions have failed.

“God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created.” Steps to Christ

Studying the Bible increases our intellectual knowledge of who God is, but we must use our faith to believe in His promises and power. Faith allows us to live victoriously. Praying in faith every day is a significant part of a Christian’s lifestyle. When we fully trust God, prayer is always our first response. Like King Hezekiah, the words, God, I need Your help, immediately flow from our mouths.

Memorizing Scriptural promises prevents all anxiety and worries—God is our only stability. His promises are Yes, and we say, Amen [It is so]. Still, it is not enough to have intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures. Unwavering faith is vital in receiving Divine deliverance from our enemies and obstacles. A heart-to-heart relationship with Christ is based on our faith and gives us courage and confidence in God as we patiently wait for His help. Rejoice and celebrate His faithfulness!

Distractions are the enemy’s spiritual warfare designed to make us forget about God. In 2024, if we slow down, and eliminate unnecessary distractions, we will have time to focus on God’s love and promises. Through worship, the Holy Spirit gives us peace and reassurance that we are in God’s hands. The righteous have a reason to rejoice, we receive the unmerited attention of God every day.

For every battle, we have three Divine powers: God, the Father, Jesus, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Rejoice and celebrate God’s Divine Attention!

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” —Psalm 46:10

When strongholds arise, we do not have to develop strategies or try to resolve life’s issues. To “Be still” is to stop striving and to surrender to God. Pray in faith! “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14, BSB). Yes, God will bring perfect resolutions and completion to our struggles. Rejoice and celebrate God’s Majestic Power and Divine Intervention!

Prayer: God, we thank You and celebrate Your Great love, attention, and intervention. We ask for forgiveness for self-reliance and being so distracted that we do not recognize Your loving-kindness toward us. We pray for greater faith and trust in Your Divine love. In Jesus’ Loving Name, we pray. Amen.

God Desires to Give Us Eternal Blessings

Devotional – January 2, 2024

Our lives would reach levels that we could never anticipate if we kept our focus on God. God’s thoughts, ways, and plans include Eternal blessings. Pray for the spiritual insight and the wisdom to reach for the hand of God who will lead you from this earthly existence to Revelation chapters 21-22.

STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Reflecting on the Majesty and Glory of the Triune God

Reflecting on the Majesty and Glory of the Triune God – Sabbath Devotional – December 29, 2023

It was very saddening and disappointing to read the advice given to a new believer on a recent IG post. The majority did not speak about God’s love, majesty, power, grace, and abundant mercies. Instead, they gave many warnings about Satan’s power.

Ephesians chapter 6 tells us that spiritual warfare is real and we must stay faithful and armor ourselves through prayer and studying the word of God. Still, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with countless examples of God’s love and divine intervention for those created in His image.

Has Christianity declined to the point that our focus is on Satan and the fear of spiritual warfare instead of the love and Omnipotence of God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit?

We should never give credence to any power in heaven or earth above the Triune God. If so, we are not fully committed to God and need a revival of our love for Christ. As believers, we face constant battles [internal and external], which is the reason the Apostle Paul emphasized putting on the full armor of God along with maintaining unity and fellowship in the Christian community.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6

We hear and share a lot of non-essential information. Nothing compares to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. By witnessing, we can fight against the trending belief that Satan is more powerful than God. Witnessing is easily accomplished with the use of technology. Use social media to share Scriptures revealing God’s powerful love and faithfulness to humanity.

Many who are desperately seeking peace have not heard the message of a loving and powerful Savior who specializes in new beginnings. Living in perilous times requires that we also think of those who are living hopelessly in this dark world. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Share the gospel of Jesus Christ!

“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it, the LORD is His name: Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” —Jeremiah 33:2-3

How well do you know God’s character? We will lose interest in God if we only have a minimal understanding of Him. From dedicating time to studying the Scriptures, God becomes real to us. The Holy Spirit, our Teacher, gives us a deeper understanding of God’s power and majesty, as well as the spiritual strength to live a holy life.

Our preparation for eternal life begins in our earthly lives. Worshiping God is the reason we were created. We serve a loving Father who patiently waits to commune with us. Persevere in prayer! Let your prayers be specific—pray for guidance, wisdom, and discernment from the Holy Spirit.

With faithful dedication, you will rejoice in your experiential knowledge of an awesome God to whom you will readily give all of your honor, glory, and praise, and share His goodness with others.

Prayer: God, we pray for a revival in our hearts so we will have the desire to seek and abide in You. We ask You to reveal Your plan and give us guidance in using our spiritual gifts to witness. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.