23 “Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while He was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’ “
24 Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin? ‘ “
“They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, From heaven, He will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ “
27 “So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ “
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
The commitment to follow Christ has always required surrender and faithful obedience to His authority, which was given to Him by God, the Father.
When we fail to consecrate and commit ourselves to God through daily personal worship, our thoughts and actions supersede our spoken words.
But what we do not understand is that we are questioning God’s Authority, which places us in wilful rebellion against God’s Sovereignty.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV). Jesus’s earthly life reveals that obedience to God is non-negotiable.
Remain Faithful to God
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4).
Never Trust Your Own Thoughts
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Reverence God Through a Spirit of Humility
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7).
Embrace God’s Promise of His Faithfulness
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Honor God’s Sovereignty, Because He Is God
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Our Allegiance and Loyalty Is To God, or To Ourselves
Reflection: By whose authority are you living your life? Every day, we choose our destiny, our choices and lifestyles reveal if we are obeying God, or not.
If we live according to our thoughts and desires, then we choose to forfeit our reward of The Crown of Life. Our only reward will be whatever we pursued and accomplished in our earthly lives.
Jesus’ Promise To the Faithful
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21, NIV).
Bible Study: Revelation 19, 21-22
Lord God, we ask forgiveness for the sins of self-reliance and disobedience. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and remove the stubbornness in our hearts. We desperately need Your Holy Spirit to baptize our hearts, and minds, so we can see life through spiritual eyes, and live a sacrificial life of obedience. Lord, we consecrate our lives to follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, and ask for the daily Spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment required to live as overcomers. God, we acknowledge that You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus, Amen.
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)
Jesus tells us that the life we desire filled with only love, joy, happiness, peace, and without hardships will not happen on this present Earth.
In fact, the life of a believer is the toughest journey, we will ever face. In the Great Controversy of Good and Evil, believers are the target!
Not only do we face the external opposition of Satan’s temptations, and animosity for following Christ, we must also overcome our internal desires, which are always in rebellion against God.
“Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:4, Amplified Bible).
The King James version of this Scripture states, “Abide in Me.” To abide in Christ means that we become totally dependent on Him.
“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).
We choose to follow Christ by using our faith to surrender in obedience. By seeking God’s will and plans through daily prayer, we receive wisdom and strength to fulfill His Perfect Plans.
“Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24).
Because we were created with a free will to choose, we must ask God for help. Whispering prayers throughout our day eliminates self-reliance and builds our faith and trust in God.
Despite our circumstances, if we rely on Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us unlimited Spiritual comfort, peace, joy, and guidance.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NIV).
Throughout the Scriptures, Jesus reiterates His love for us, still, due to busyness and distractions, we often do not engage in consistent personal worship [prayer, and Bible study].
But when facing challenges, if we exclude God, we easily become discouraged. Using human wisdom and effort has many limitations, we can develop strategies, but we can never predict a definitive outcome.
Prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures keeps us grounded in Christ and builds our faith. The Bible is the only way, we can learn Christ’s Loving Character, His promises, and the history of His Divine intervention in the lives of the righteous.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).
Truthfully, we cannot trust a stranger. When our knowledge of God is limited, we instinctively place our faith and trust in ourselves. But at some point, we will experience life-changing events that only Divine Intervention can resolve.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10).
From staying connected to Christ, we receive an internal assurance of peace and safety in knowing that we are loved by God, He is Faithful, and Committed to taking care of us.
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’ ” (Genesis 1:26).
To learn the Righteous Character of Christ and His love for us requires that we start with studying the Book of Genesis, the Beginning. Biblical knowledge increases our faith in God.
The Foundation: Study the Book of Genesis and the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], which records the Life of Christ. Before studying, always pray for The Teacher, God, the Holy Spirit to give you spiritual wisdom and discernment.
Our Heavenly Father Cares
“The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, BSB).
Words cannot describe the inner peace that comes from learning who God is, and His Amazing Love for those created in His Divine Image.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV).
Despite our challenges and hardships, our Heavenly Father also allows us to enjoy peaceful times. Even when experiencing hardships, we are not grapes, God never crushes us, which would also crush our hope in His Agape love.
“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18).
We are sons and daughters of the Most-High God who loves us unconditionally! God desires to lead us from Earth to Heaven. We cannot change ourselves or stay on the Path of Righteousness without Divine Directions.
We often mistake suffering the consequences of disobedient choices for God-Allowed trials. Thinking our own thoughts and planning our lives without God always has repercussions.
Praying for God’s Divine Guidance before making decisions gives us the assurance that we are aligned with God’s plans, which is the only way we can enjoy His peace, and receive guaranteed Victorious Outcomes.
By accepting Christ as our personal Savior, we committed to following Him as sheep who follow their shepherd. We are never alone! Pray, Obey, and Persevere through life in Jesus’ strength.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
Daily personal worship [prayer and Bible study] is the outward sign of possessing a heart filled with love, loyalty, adoration, and reverence for our Loving Heavenly Father.
Staying connected to Christ has definitive advantages: In times of adversity and lingering hardships, only true worshipers can remain courageous, enjoying Jesus’ gift of peace.
From establishing a life of prayer, we establish our dependency on Christ. When facing the stormy seasons, our first response is a faith-based prayer asking for Divine Help.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
No other book, but the Bible gives us the spiritual nourishment needed to grow in Christ. Studying and meditating on the Scriptures invites the Holy Spirit to give us a deeper understanding.
Our commitment to worship God is rewarded. The Holy Spirit empowers us to perceive life through spiritual eyes. Our dependency on God is not weakness, it is the only way that we can remain steadfast in our Christian Journey.
“Trials never feel good, yet, trials are faith builders.”
From possessing Scriptural knowledge, in difficult times, the Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s promises, giving us the assurance of our Heavenly Father’s Love and Faithfulness.
Whether in peaceful, or stormy times, we should separate ourselves, and deeply reflect on God’s love and our many blessings. We did not achieve a lifetime of victories by using human effort.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, HCSB).
Our Sovereign God is always Faithful! Every day, we are recipients of His overwhelming Love, Grace, and Abundant mercies. Yes, God deserves our prayers of praise and worship.
The storm cannot last! Eventually, the Sun will shine! We know that Christ, our Loving Shepherd will say, “Peace be still” and give us a spiritual calm that cannot be reproduced by human ability.
Like Job who suffered the most devastating adversity recorded in the Bible, if we stay connected to Christ, we will be able to proclaim:
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. “Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death], Yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God…” (Job 17:25-26, NIV, Amplified Bible).
Only God can guide us through the storms that produce spiritual growth and transformation necessary to prepare us to receive our Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NLT).
Bible Study: Genesis, and The Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John].
Lord God, we thank You for Your Divine Love and for taking care of us, even when we failed to acknowledge Your Faithfulness. Jesus, our Shepherd and Triumphant King, we choose You. We ask You to lead us, correct us, and protect us from spiritual warfare, and give us the strength to overcome external opposition and internal conflict. We thank You, and promise to give You the honor, the glory and the praise that you deserve. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11).
Recently, I listened to a sermon that taught us how we should pray for God’s help. For us to pray a prayer of faith with the confidence and assurance that God will intervene, we must know the attributes of God’s Righteous Character.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Since the Bible reveals God’s Loving and Faithful Character, the Holy Scriptures are the Resource we depend on to learn Who God says He is.
God’s Righteous Character: God Is Faithful to His Never-Changing Character: “I do not change.”
“God describes Himself as The Living God. He is Eternal and He is Powerful.”
“…Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23).
“God is a God of Love, God is Trustworthy, and He is Faithful. God is able to do miracles that no one else can accomplish.”
Effectual Prayers Focus on the Power of God Not the Problem
The Child’s Prayer: “God, You are Powerful. I am afraid and need Your help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
King Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
“O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:6, 12).
King David’s Prayer
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; For You are my hope, O Lord God; O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me. But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.” (Psalm 71:1, 3, 5, 12, 14).
Jesus’ Consistent Prayers
“In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.” (Hebrews 5:7).
Affirming God’s Attributes, Commands, and Promises in Our Prayers
When Facing Enemies: “Lord God, You said that I should stand still, hold my peace, and you would fight my battle…” Exodus 14:14; 2 Chronicles 20:17.
When Facing Uncertainty: “Lord God, You are All-knowing, and have the answers to my dilemma, I do not know what to do…” Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7.
God Proclaims His Sovereignty
” ‘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).
God is Holy, God is our Creator, and God is The Sovereign Ruler and Authority of this universe. Angels bow before Him, all Heaven loves, adores, and worships Him with humility, awe, and reverence.
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4, NIV).
We are privileged to be created in the image of God, redeemed by the blood of God’s Precious Son, Jesus, and to have God’s Ruach breath flow through our bodies. Truly, God is the Sustainer of our lives.
We cannot remember “…the most important provision, most costly provision, YahwehYireh has given us. He provided the perfect Lamb of God.” How can we forget?
In 2025, because we are practicing the worldviews of self-reliance, pursuing our goals, and worshiping God only by attending weekly church services, we have distanced ourselves from God.
Truthfully, we do not have time for God. Satan has deceived us with the busyness of distractions, and we are following our desires for earthly prosperity and success.
The Christian Journey is tough! We cannot make it without receiving Jesus’ strength to remain faithful and to persevere through our many trials and adversities.
Daily worship God keeps us connected to Jesus, our Shepherd. To abide in Christ is accomplished through prayer, fasting, and studying the Bible.
We must learn God’s Righteous Character and His Promises to respond with faith and trust in God during hardships.
It is in the quiet times of personal worship that we receive the blessings of peace and the assurance that we are loved by God, who promises to always take care of us.
” ‘I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ” (Isaiah 46:10).
Without Scriptural knowledge, and wisdom received from the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand God’s Majesty and Authority, or the need for His continuous Presence and Power in our lives.
Certainly, as the creation, we should possess a spirit of humility and reverence for our Creator. We should not wait until adversity enters our lives [that human effort cannot resolve] to pray for Divine Intervention.
To love God with all of our hearts is to acknowledge His Sovereignty through surrender, reverence, and to worship Him every day in Spirit and Truth with faithful obedience.
Only then can we approach the Throne of God with confidence, knowing that He will help us in our time of need, which is every minute of our days.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).
Lord God, we desperately need Your help to overcome in this journey of life. We ask for forgiveness for not reverencing You as the Sovereign Creator of this universe who sustains our lives. Lord, You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and we approach your Throne of Grace because we desperately need Your help in resolving our challenges. We love You, and thank You for giving us the victory. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
This is a powerful reminder that we must be spiritually minded, always preparing for Revelation 22:12.
Every day, Dedicate yourself to following Jesus through personal worship. Praying and studying the Bible keeps us connected to Christ, and invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength. Peace and Blessings.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us about the life His disciples will face: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Faith takes effort! Remembering our former blessings and supernatural miracles from the Giver of Life waters the seed of our ever-growing faith. A heart filled with gratitude expressed through prayer is the only way to strengthen our faith.
This Scripture represents the hardships of our tribulations: “If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people…” (2 Chronicles 7:13)
Yes, the trials and sorrows are too great for us to resolve. Victory is impossible without unrealistic faith, trust, hope, and confidence in God. We do not have to analyze or try to figure out the solutions. A prayer based on belief in a Loving and Omnipotent Father God never escapes the ears of God.
God tells us what is required to receive His Divine Intervention: “…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)
Faith is the response of our hearts to God’s gracious appeals for our fellowship with Him. It is the healing relationship with the One who is the Source of all life, health, and happiness. Faith restores us to our rightful state, to the condition in which we were created to live: union with our Creator. His Healing Love, D. Winn
“Lord, I Believe, Please Help My Unbelief!”
Prayer: God, please forgive us for the sin of self-reliance. We desire to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Lord, we desperately need You in times of peace and tough times. Hear our prayer, and give us the direction and the strength to live as one who is faithful. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)
In 2025, conflict has infiltrated the home, workplace, social media, and every society. Oppression, mass job layoffs, economic instability, political corruption, and violence exists globally, and according to Bible prophecy will continue to increase.
“Numerous diseases once considered nearly eradicated or well-controlled have seen a resurgence in recent years.”
Our Fight Is Against Satan’s Dark Power
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13).
Believers, we are the target in an invisible Spiritual War of Good and Evil. Every day, we face temptations, schemes, and scams devised by Satan to produce personal devastation, and place fear in our hearts.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).
Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3 [The Last Days] are the times we live in, and our response to the continuous discord must be continuous prayers of faith asking God for His Divine Help, Spiritual Wisdom, and Discernment.
Our Heavenly Father knows every challenge, demonic attack, and hardship, we will face, still, no spiritual warfare happens in the believer’s life unless it has been approved by our Intercessor, and Mighty Warrior, Jesus Christ.
The Spiritual Purpose of Hardships
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV).
The Daily Believer’s Prayer: “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.” (Psalm 25:4-5).
King Asa’s Prayer of Faith
When the Ethiopian Army of one million soldiers came against Asa, the King of Judah, his immediate response was a prayer asking for God’s Divine Help.
“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’ ” (2 Chronicles 14:11).
“So the Lord struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.” (2 Chronicles 14:12). Through the Power of God, the Ethiopian Army was annihilated.
The Mighty Warrior God of Biblical Times Is Still a Mighty Warrior Who Rescues and Delivers! Yes and Amen.
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17).
Active Faith is the Foundation of Our Relationship With Christ
Too often, we place faith in our limited human wisdom and abilities, but Christians who do not place their faith and trust in God through daily surrender and obedience can never stand against Satan’s Warfare.
“…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” (Ephesians 6:16-18).
Steadfast Faith requires total dependency on God. The raging battles, we face are greater than ever! Love is the foundation of our loyalty to God.
“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).
To live as Overcomers, from the moment we awaken, we dedicate ourselves as Courageous Prayer Warriors because we love and trust God.
Yes, through faith we are saved by grace, still God requires us to actively participate in our salvation. To experience spiritual growth and character transformation requires full cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
“And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” (John 8:29, Amplified Bible).
Christ Is the Commander of Angel Armies and Believers Who lived an earthly life of faithful obedience to God, the father.
Preparing for Eternal Life is to daily seek God’s will and plans by searching the Scriptures, and continuously praying for the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible was written for Christian believers. The Holy Scriptures reveal God’s Love, His Righteous Character, Commandments, and Precepts, which impart knowledge, guide us in our spiritual journey, and prevent us from detouring off of the Path of Righteousness.
Our faith [and relationship with Christ] is nourished and grows through daily personal worship. At least one to two hours per day, we should separate ourselves and worship God through prayer, fasting, and studying the Scriptures.
God’s Promises Are Eternal
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” (Isaiah 43 1-3).
Without knowledge of God’s promises, when facing adversity, we join the group of believers who suffer from anxiety and discouragement because they only possess a superficial knowledge of God.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). When experiencing trials, or hardships, a spiritual knowledge deficit results in asking the question, “I am suffering, where is God?”
“Jesus says, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ ” We have nothing to fear in the present, or the future when we live as consecrated Soldiers in God’s Army who strive to put God first.
With humility, whether in times of peace, or adversity, the faithful are always on bended knees, praying and asking for our Mighty Warrior’s Divine Help and Strength.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).
Bible Study: 2 Chronicles 14
Lord God, we thank you for being our Mighty Warrior. We ask for the blessing of supernatural strength to live as courageous soldiers in your Army. Give us wisdom and discernment, as we study the Holy Scriptures, and teach us how to apply Your Righteous Precepts to our lives. We thank You for being a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father, and look forward to the day when Christ will come, whose Righteous Name, we ask this prayer, Amen.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14).
Although our spiritual journey is unique, every believer has experienced the disappointment of God saying, “No,” to our heartfelt prayers requesting the things we desire.
God immediately denies requests that He knows are guaranteed to prevent our spiritual growth, development, and transformation, which is required for Eternal Life.
Everything God does brings honor and glory to His Name; therefore, He does not bless us if we do not possess the spiritual maturity to focus on the Giver instead of the gift.
“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV).
With love, God agreed to Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice to die on Calvary to save us from the penalty of sin, which is the final death. God’s ultimate goal has always been to save our souls.
Sadly, many Christians disagree with God’s greatest desire for us to live with Him throughout eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Wait! Who would accept Christ as their personal Savior and not desire His promise to give us the reward of Eternal Life?
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible).
When we ask God to bless us with a specific request and His answer is No, many of us are upset, especially when we see others with an abundance of money and material possessions.
God’s future plan of giving us a Crown of Life is steadfast, yet it is conditional. From the time we awaken, with a prayer of faith, we seek God’s plans, asking for the spiritual strength to obey, persevere, and complete His plans.
“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 reveals that the character trait of faithful obedience is required to stay aligned with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives.
The Believer’s Struggle is not only against the daily External Opposition of temptations, but we also must fight against the never-ending Internal Conflict of our desires.
It is easier to desire financial and material abundance instead of living a Christ-centered, faith-based life of self-denial. Because we inherited sinful hearts, enough is never enough. In Jeremiah 17:9, God says, The human heart is never satisfied!
When God says, No, we often feel that He is not a Loving and Gracious God. Regardless, God reminds us that He will not change His decision.
“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).
God does not perceive time as we perceive time; His Omniscient perspective of time is Eternal. Since He knows how long we will live, there is no reason for God to hurry up and bless us. Abraham was 100 years of age when Isaac was born.
There are 8 billion plus people on the planet Earth, and God knows every hardship, setback, disappointment, acts of obedience, and willful disobedience, along with every temptation, and victory we will experience in our lives from conception to birth to death.
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” (James 4:14, CSB).
We can pray for and receive spiritual wisdom, but God tells us that we cannot look beyond today, so focus on the responsibilities and blessings of the given day. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).
We feel slighted when God says “No,” because we have been deceived by Satan to think that we have the time and the right to pursue whatever makes us happy.
Signs of Living in the Last Days
In America, Religious Liberty and Freedom of Speech, two Constitutional Rights, are gradually being withdrawn. Many individuals have lost their employment for posting personal opinions regarding current global events on Social Media.
If the Christian Community began diligently studying the Bible, we would understand God’s refusal to give us what we are asking for. According to Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3, we learn that Bible Prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled, and we are currently living in the Last Days.
Although we do not know the exact time, those who are praying and preparing every day for Revelation 22:12, we recognize that Jesus, our Triumphant King, is coming sooner than we think.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). We need Scriptural knowledge to fully understand our Heavenly Father’s Love and His desire to keep us from losing our spiritual focus, so the Holy Spirit can perform the work of Sanctification in our lives.
Misalignment with God’s Will and Plans
In 2016, I was employed as a Quality Nurse reviewing medical documentation for a national Home Healthcare Company. I imagined a very long career, possibly leading to retirement.
In my 8th month of employment, we received notification from the Corporate office that the branch would be relocated to a beautiful business park 45 minutes away from our current location.
I was very excited, but also realized that my high-mileage vehicle was not reliable for traveling 2.5 hours per day. Without praying for God’s approval, I went to the Nissan dealership and purchased a new vehicle.
God’s Warning Was Not Perceived!
Just before my purchase, I had a very interesting conversation with the office secretary. We became friends, and when I shared my plan to purchase a new vehicle, the answer she gave me was very disconcerting.
“Sonya, how do you know that everyone in this location will be relocated to the business park?” I simply did not respond because to me, it did not matter.
I rationalized that the office could not meet healthcare regulations without a quality nurse who reviewed and approved all medical documentation before submission for Medicare reimbursement.
Two months later, following our conversation, I met with the Director, who informed me that Corporate had made the decision to eliminate the position of all branch office Quality nurses. All quality reviews would be sourced to the Corporate office, which was located five hours from our branch office.
Because of my desire to have a new vehicle, I did not recognize that God was speaking to me through our office secretary, who was aware of the Corporate plan before the nursing staff was informed.
Sadly, three of the staff nurses were also unable to travel the additional distance, but were not eligible for unemployment because they were offered additional compensation to work from the new location, but could not travel due to school-age children.
Although I immediately found a 35-week contract assignment that paid well, I was not prepared for a change in my health status. I began to experience severe pain in both knees, which indicated the progression of my diagnosis of Osteoarthritis.
I can recall the shock of leaving my Orthopedic Doctor’s office with a mid-thigh to mid-calf brace on my left leg. Yet, from listening to the Doctor’s treatment plan, I knew my nursing career had ended. His recommendation to immediately apply for Social Security Disability [SSD] made me realize that we should never plan our lives according to our thoughts.
Because I did not pray for guidance before purchasing a new vehicle, instead of keeping my vehicle that was paid for, I was facing the consequences of making a decision outside of the will of God.
The new monthly note, along with sustaining the vehicle’s insurance and routine maintenance costs, consumed 100% of my unemployment compensation and was draining my savings.
Not only did the constant worry keep me mentally and spiritually drained, but the stress from not having internal peace also exacerbated my physical level of pain,
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
God is still merciful and does not leave us stranded when we genuinely repent of our wrongdoing. Although there was a 3-year waiting list for SSD applications, God rerouted my disability packet to another state, and my disability was approved in a record time of two months.
Fast forward to 2025, and from studying the Bible, I have learned that the human heart never loses its desire to acquire material possessions [the non-essentials], but we must practice our God-given gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7] with the commitment to live a sacrificial, obedient life, holy and acceptable to God.
“God, reveal Your will to me and I will obey,” is the daily prayer of surrender that honors God’s Sovereignty, and is not an easy prayer! But to love God is to honor Him with faithful obedience, which reveals our desire to be aligned with His perfect will.
Pray, Wait, and Obey!
God’s Love never changes. And His answers of No are not punitive, but demonstrate His immense love for us. We should never compare ourselves to others, often wondering why God is blessing them, but not us. Many believers step outside of God’s will by blessing themselves [like I did]; not every material acquisition is a gift from God
When God says “No,” our response should be, “Thank you, God for loving and protecting me from the future consequences that are impossible for me to anticipate.”
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” (James 1:17, Amplified Bible). Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: James 1, Revelation chapters 21-22.
Lord God, we thank You for being a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who knows every temptation we will endure in our lives. Lord, please give us the strength and the courage to overcome the internal conflict in our hearts of choosing loyalty and obedience to Your plans versus pursuing our desires without Your Divine blessing. In faith, we accept Your perfect will for our lives. We love You, thank You, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“God will provide intimate, personal, and watchful guidance to those who trust Him. This refers to God’s attentive, loving oversight rather than distant instruction, emphasizing a close, personal relationship where He leads us with His wisdom,” according to his perfect will.
We were not created to be self-reliant. Sadly, many believers have embraced autonomy by never praying and asking God to reveal His perfect will for their lives.
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, NIV).
The ocean stays within its boundaries, and the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West, but human beings created in the image of God have consistently fought against the Creator by following the rebellious desires of their hearts.
Although, we were created with free will of choice, and inherited hearts that naturally rebel against total submission to God, total dependency on Jesus Christ is necessary to stay on the Path of Righteousness, and to receive our Crown of Life.
After many failures, with humility, I had to admit that it was impossible for me to live righteously using my strength. No, I could not walk through this earthly journey victoriously without God’s direction, protection, and correction.
Tired of feeling defeated, one day, I decided to fully surrender to God through the lifestyle changes of daily prayer, fasting, and Bible Study.
The hardships still happen, but my outlook changed as my heart embraced Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Filled with hope, I began to understood the necessity of faithful obedience to God’s Sovereign Authority.
“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.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
Only Christ can give us the spiritual strength to live righteously. If we are willing to live a sacrificial life of following our Shepherd with faithful obedience then Jesus promises to transform us from the inside out.
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT)
When we humble ourselves and live a consecrated, obedient life, Yeshua promises to complete the spiritual work of Sanctification in our minds, characters, and personalities.
Preparing for Kingdom Life One Day at a Time: With each passing day, we are closer to Jesus fulfilling His promise of John 14:1-3. Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: Revelation 21-22
Lord God, we ask You to reveal any hidden desires, habits, and disobedience that would prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We pray for the strength to overcome our internal desires and the external temptations designed to make us fall. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
The best advice we can follow is to pray more and to think less about our desires. God’s Love has no boundaries. His answer of “No” protects us from suffering the consequences of following our hearts.
“In the Bible, God demonstrates His unparalleled, unrivaled, unequaled powers and abilities and His love to humanity.”
“Only God has the mind of Omniscience, the ability to know and comprehend every iota of knowledge that can be known.”
God’s Love includes His goal for us to receive our reward of Eternal Life. But is this our goal?
Take a few minutes to think about the goals that you are pursuing. Our priorities reveal whether or not, we are choosing Heaven as our Eternal destiny.
God will never bless us with anything that distracts us from putting Him first, or interferes with our spiritual growth and transformation.
Only God can give us our best lives. His thoughts, plans, and ways are above our understanding. Our responsibility is to pray daily, asking for His plans to be revealed, and to use our faith to trust and obey His will.
Redirecting our faith and focus from pleasure, prosperity, success, and material possessions is the only way, we can do our part in receiving our Crown of Life from Jesus, who is coming soon. Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we desire to know Your plans for our lives. We ask You to lead us, guide us, protect us, and correct us, as we travel in our spiritual journey with Jesus. Lord, we desire to live with you forever in the New Heaven and New Earth.We ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Until we acknowledge that life consists of spiritual warfare, we will never utilize prayer as our most valuable weapon to win the Spiritual War between Good and Evil.
Sadly, without connecting to Christ every day through personal worship, we miss out on receiving Jesus’ strength and power to live as victorious overcomers.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10).
Receiving Daily Bread Requires Us to Abide in Jesus Christ: Pray, Wait, Listen, Obey, and Persevere in Jesus’ Name. Yes and Amen!
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).
Bible Study: 1 Kings 19 [Elijah’s Fear Overpowers His Faith in God].
Lord God, we thank you for Your abundant love. We also thank You for Your promises to renew our strength when we have become weary from self-reliance, and following our thoughts. Teach us how to redirect our faith and focus to You, so we can live victoriously through Your power. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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