When we are unsure of how God wants us to use our spiritual gifts and talents, we can always pray for others. On social media, countless people are asking for prayers due to the death of their newborn babies, family members attempting suicide, receiving cancer diagnosis, depression, and so much more.
It is not enough to post, “I am praying for you.” We should always post a short, heartfelt prayer. When we pray for others the Holy Spirit responds by comforting and providing direction, and strength to the individuals who desperately need a healing touch from God.
Praying for others also invites the Holy Spirit to bless us with spiritual strength, wisdom, peace, and direction as we navigate through life
The Apostle Paul’s Prayer
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19). Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we ask You to remove our stony hearts, and to replace them with hearts filled with love and compassion for those who are hurting mentally, emotionally, physically, but most importantly teach us to pray for their spiritual well-being. In Jesus’ Loving and Holy Name we pray, Amen.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
“‘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).
When we love God more than ourselves, through daily prayer, we seek His plans. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength of Jesus Christ as we strive to live righteously. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to stay on the Path of Righteousness.
Because of Jesus’ sacrificial gift of His Divine life, we have the option to receive Eternal Life. Without a daily spiritual commitment, our minds become desensitized to sin, and we live a compromised life. Rely on Christ and He will transform your mind, character, and personality into His likeness.
The King Is Coming! Prepare, Pray, Obey, and Persevere.
Lord God, we pray for the desire to live a life that represents Your Divine love and Righteousness. We ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Teach us how to live holy as we prepare for your soon coming. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:7, 14-15, NIV)
“Of all creatures the sheep is one of the most timid and helpless…still, the shepherd’s care for his flock is untiring and incessant.” The defenseless sheep know they must always depend on their shepherd to keep them safe.
“In ancient times there was minimal safety outside of walled towns. Marauders from the roving border tribes, or beasts of prey from their hiding places in the rocks, lay in wait to plunder the flocks. The shepherd watched… knowing that it was at the peril of his own life.” He was always prepared to fight and protect his sheep.
Spiritually, Jesus compares us to sheep who are helpless against Satan, the enemy. Without the Divine power and strength of Christ, our Shepherd, we cannot live righteously, or overcome the covert, and highly effective deceptions of the enemy.
“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” -Isaiah 53:6, NLT
Sadly, we think that attending weekly church service is the way to receive eternal life. Many believers refuse to live a surrendered, faithful, obedient, and consecrated life to God. But our self-reliance comes with a high price, we lose the safety of being led by our Shepherd which easily persuades us to embrace the enticements and deceptions of this world.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” -Matthew 16:26
The decisions we make without spiritual guidance will always bring consequences to our lives. Maybe all is well right now but the mindset of self-reliance is one of disobedience which ultimately separates us from God. We believe that we can lead ourselves, so there is no need to pray for guidance.
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” -Proverbs 16:12
From using our thoughts and inclinations to fulfill our desires, we exchange the hope of receiving the promise of eternal life for nothing but earthly treasures that will soon be destroyed when Jesus comes again.
The Christian Community has embraced many pagan practices in the attempt to gain Jesus’ gift of peace. Burning sage, Eastern meditation, yoga, the worship of Hindu deities, online gambling, CBD, secular music, pornography, living together without marriage, and friendships with unbelievers instead of living a sacrificial life dedicated to God.
We easily pursue our desires that are satisfied from hours of screen time, scrolling on social media, and seeking prosperity, pleasure, and political alliances. Without Divine power, we lose the internal battle against our heart’s desires, so we feel no need to be led by Christ.
“It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift the soul. The contemplation of the love of God manifested in His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as nothing else can.”
“Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in man; and whoever turns men away from Christ is turning them away from the source of true development.”
The decision to follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd is a tough spiritual journey that requires us to let go of our desires and pursuits. Yes, our faith is tested everyday by temptations, and fiery trials but we are not left defenseless.
“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
Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to intervene. To be under the loving care of Jesus is to live a life overflowing with hope, joy, and peace. We can live with the spirit of contentment when we choose Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
“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, NIV
Use your faith to live courageously! Even in adversity, we know that Jesus will give us the victory! From dedicating ourselves to the Shepherd, He will lead us safely through our earthly journey.
As obedient sheep who always follow their Shepherd, we have the hope of receiving the reward of eternal life in a perfect and loving New Heaven and New Earth. Yes and Amen!
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
Lord God, we thank you for being our Good Shepherd. Our desire is to return to Your loving arms. We ask forgiveness for leaving your safety by pursuing meaningless earthly practices and treasures. We pray for strength, wisdom, and an increase in faith, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“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
“God often allows us to experience a crisis to reveal our limitations and weaknesses. The adversity that no human effort can resolve points us to God, the Only True Source of Strength.” Sermon Notes
As I read a few of my sermon notes, one caught my attention, causing me to reflect for quite a while. The only thought that repeated itself over and over again was the question, “Why do we exclude our Heavenly Father from our daily lives until we face a major dilemma?”
How are we different from the unbelievers who reject God by practicing the learned behavior of self-reliance, and suffering never-ending consequences, which creates an atmosphere fueled by anxieties, worries, and hopelessness?
The Apostle Paul answers the question: “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1, NLT).
“The word ‘carnal’ (Greek: sarkikos) is often used to describe a state of being dominated by the flesh and worldly desires, rather than the Spirit of God. It suggests a focus on physical needs, earthly pleasures, and a lack of spiritual maturity.”
Prayer, fasting, consecration, and renewing our vow to follow Christ through daily surrender and faithful obedience is the only spiritual remedy to regain our right standing with God. We must worship God with love, loyalty, and commitment if we truly desire the reward of Eternal life.
Lord God, we approach your Throne of Grace asking for forgiveness for a spirit of disobedience as manifested by a mindset of self-reliance and lifestyles of self-governance. We ask you to, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a contrite spirit within me.” Lord, we thank you for your love, grace, and mercies, and ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you…” -2 Chronicles 20:17
Often we forget that God is Omniscient and He knows every aspect of our lives from beginning to the end. The hardships, adversities, and spiritual warfare we face, God is already aware of, and He waits for us to ask for help.
The LORD is on our side! Who can stand against our Warrior God? Use your faith to believe in His Sovereign Power! Pray for help. Remain silent. Be patient. And watch God give you victory that honors His Holy Name. He is a God Who protects the righteous. Yes and Amen!
LORD God, our world is in turmoil, and we are facing obstacles that we cannot eliminate, and problems we cannot resolve. You commanded us to come to the Throne of Grace, and ask for Your help in the times of need. Jesus, we always need You. Thank You in advance for a victorious outcome. In Jesus’ Powerful Name we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 13, 2025
We often pray for things that we usually do not need. But I learned a couple of days ago when we pray differently, especially for obstacles that impact our mental and emotional health, God responds immediately to our prayers.
My prayer was simple, “God, please give me the things that I need to improve the quality of my life. I have an obstacle that is overwhelming, affecting my peace, and causing me stress that I cannot resolve. Jesus, I need your help. Thank you. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.”
God answered my prayer later that day. Peace and Blessings
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 11, 2025
“…For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” -2 Chronicles 20:12
When King Jehoshaphat acknowledged the impossibility of using human effort to win the pending war from pagan armies, his first response was prayer.
Every day, we face dilemmas that require God’s Divine intervention. If we live by this rule of always seeking God’s answer, whether it is a minor issue or a difficult life-changing dilemma then we are guaranteed a victorious outcome.
One thing is for certain, we should never ask for secular advice. Even those who are considered experts are looking at the situation from their perspective. Spiritually, unbelievers can never perceive a situation as God sees it.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes…” Proverbs 3:7
Truthfully, believers who serve God with obedience and steadfast faith still need help. Involve God in every aspect of your life by asking for spiritual wisdom and guidance before making decisions.
Pray and wait for God’s guidance. If we make prayer our first response and wait for God’s answer then He will resolve all of our challenges for our good and His glory.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).
Lord God, we admit that we do not know what to do and ask for Your Divine Help in resolving this impossible situation. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we ask this prayer in faith, Amen.
“The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.” —Psalm 121:5
From the moment we awaken, we are actively involved in the ongoing battle of good and evil. Without heavenly angelic intervention, we could never overcome humanity’s greatest enemy—Satan, the stealthy “roaring lion” who desires to separate us from God by presenting personalized and dangerous temptations of worldly pleasures and treasures that appeal to each of our heart’s desires.
The Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God: “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler [deception] And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge…” —Psalm 91:3-4
Throughout our waking hours, we should whisper prayers of gratitude for Christ’s continuous protection from unseen and seen harm provided by His angelic armies. Unknowingly, we face harm through covert schemes of powerful deceptions, identity theft, financial scams, fake love relationships targeting the lonely, coercion, and many other dangers developed to devastate our lives.
It was not our human wisdom that prevented us from sustaining major losses. The righteous are blessed with guardian angels who protect us from the evil of unseen spiritual warfare. Near-miss vehicle collisions, personal falls without injury, and protection from highly contagious diseases are only a few of God’s Divine blessings of protection.
“…When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” —Isaiah 59:19
It is not good luck, charms, chants. or ancient spirits that protect us. Our safety from all hurt and harm is a result of God’s overwhelming love and continuous mercies of providing angelic protection to keep us safe. God’s protection knows no boundaries, He also protects us from from succumbing to temptation.
“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
Even when facing temptation, we receive a warning from the Holy Spirit that something is not right! The disturbance of our inner peace and feelings of unease arises from the Holy Spirit who alerts our guardian angels, who always obey Jesus Christ, their Commander, to warn and protect us. God’s promises of protection are timeless, and valid, and include today’s Christian believers.
“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
The Scriptures reveal God’s Love and His continuous Intervention in our lives. We are loved beyond measure! We must love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength to worship Him in spirit and truth with faithful obedience. If we do not worship God in our earthly lives, certainly, we will not desire an eternal life of worshiping God.
This Sabbath [and every day] separate yourself at least twice daily to enjoy a time of intimate worship of praying, studying the Scriptures, and singing songs of gratitude to Elohim Shomri.
“Elohim Shomri” translates to ‘God our Protector’ or ‘God my Protector,’ emphasizing God’s role as a Provider of safety and protection.’
“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…” —Isaiah 43:4
Bible Study: Psalm 91, Psalm 121, and 2 Kings 6
Lord God, for your never-ending love, mercies, faithfulness, and protection we say, Hallelujah and Thank You! We ask for a much-needed spiritual blessing of wisdom and strength on your Holy Sabbath. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Lord God, we thank You for Your Relentless Love and Divine Intervention. We pray for those whose lives are overcome by the turmoil of war, famine, natural disasters, and social and political unrest. Please strengthen us in our daily journey and we ask for a blessing of peace and restoration of hope as we worship You on this Holy Sabbath. With expectancy, we humbly ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 24, 2025
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” —Matthew 6:26
Recently, after sunrise, I heard a bird singing to the top of its voice to which I responded, “Sing little one, sing!” As I started singing, I reflected deeply on God’s blessings to His creations, human beings continuously receive showers of blessings that we often forget to thank God for. Like the birds, we should sing praises of gratitude every day because we are blessed and highly favored.
The Dilemma: Within the past three years, thousands of individuals have lost their primary source of income due to job loss. “Financial hardship due to job loss refers to a difficult financial situation that arises when someone loses their job, leading to a sudden drop in income and making it challenging to cover essential expenses like housing, food, utilities, and debt payments.”
Jesus’ Response to Our Dilemma: “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 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.” —Matthew 6:31-33
Do not worry! We cannot possess a heart filled with faith and gratitude if we are anxious and worried [seeds of fear] about tomorrow, next week, or next month. Live one day at a time! Limit your conversation regarding your loss of income with everyone but God. This is the time to establish a season of prayer and learning to recognize when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV
“While many people believe that God must always get what He wants, the Bible tells a quite different story. Over and over, Scripture depicts God as experiencing unfulfilled desires. In many instances, God explicitly declares that what is happening is the opposite of what He wants.” SSNet.org
Redirecting Our Faith and Focus: Yes, it is extremely heartbreaking and painful to face financial loss, yet as believers, we should not possess a spirit of hopelessness nor should we think that our loss is due to God punishing us. Do we believe that our Heavenly Father cares and His promises are a binding covenant to provide for us? When chaos disrupts our stable lives, we use our faith [weak or strong] to believe in God’s love and pray for Divine Help!
“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
God is Omniscient—He knows the end from the beginning. Yes, He knows that you have not been faithful in serving Him. Move forward by confessing your sins with genuine repentance, and renew your covenant of surrender and faithful obedience. With joyful expectation, ask God for help and thank Him in the same prayer for sustaining you in your time of need. Faith proclaims, I believe God has a plan for taking care of me [and my family]. Yes and Amen!
When faith-based prayer is our first response and the Bible is our spiritual compass, we receive the Divine wisdom that allows us to perceive life through spiritual eyes. The spiritual path we travel leads to victory because it is paved by the footsteps of Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit. True worship is giving ourselves daily through the covenant of total surrender and consecrating oneself to follow and obey Jesus Christ.
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27
God testifies of His Righteous Character and Unlimited Power. The Lord is capable of anything and can overcome any obstacle! Both converted [depend on God and obey His will] and unconverted believers [self-reliance is their roadblock to faithfully trusting God] acknowledge that God exists. The believers with converted hearts know that God is always Faithful, so they acknowledge His Sovereignty by coming daily to the Throne of Grace to ask for help every day.
“So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). It is only by trusting in God’s promises and immutable power that keep us faithful when facing life’s extreme challenges. From establishing and maintaining a lifestyle of devout prayer, consistent Bible Study, and thanking God daily for our provisions, our faith strengthens.
“I the LORD do not change…” (Malachi 3:6). The righteous know their only option for victory is to constantly depend on their Heavenly Father. Financial loss is a storm that is not easily resolved. To persevere through the storm, we must put forth the human effort of faith in God which is reinforced by studying the Scriptures, where God reveals who He is and how He intervenes in our lives.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:25-26
God is never in a hurry. The wait is testing our faith. Jesus promises to always be with us. Even if the waves are crashing against the boat [Mark 4], He asks, “Where is your faith?” Our Father does not want us to strategize or ask others to help us financially. He will reveal His Divine plan and send dedicated believers who give without expecting repayment to help in your time of need. Do not think or speak words of doubt or discouragement that reveal distrust in God’s Love and Sovereignty.
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14
Spending time with God at least twice a day in personal worship is imperative to receive His guidance and strength. In the season of waiting, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of downsizing to decrease your financial expenses. God promises to supply our necessities, and we use our faith to depend on our Heavenly Father’s promises, still, we must become good stewards of our finances by eliminating unnecessary expenditures.
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” —Ecclesiastes 3:1
Yes, at times, the storm lasts longer than we expected, still, the storm cannot last forever. Do not let the flashing lightning of circumstances [Bills due] become a diversion! The loud thunder [Satan presenting high-interest loans] is designed to weaken our faith. The blessings of God are never in deceptive tactics that promise quick resolutions of fast money.
“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
In Isaiah 65:24, Jesus says, “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Calculate your necessary expenses for the month. Pray and present the monetary amount to Jesus who is our Intercessor and thank God in advance for His blessings of the financial provisions. We do not have to beg continuously asking God to help us. Pray in faith and believe that God will provide.
“In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” —Psalm 4:8
When we trust Jesus, we can sleep in peace. By praying and proclaiming steadfast faith in God, we remain focused on Yahweh Yireh, The LORD will Provide. Not only will we receive our provisions, but Jesus navigates us safely through the tumultuous waves and empowers us with His Divine strength to persevere through the duration of the storm.
“But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.” —Luke 8:23
Unlike Jesus’ disciples, we must not wait until our situation is out of control before we ask for Divine help. From the moment the storm begins, pray! The storm not only tests and strengthens our faith but also reminds us that human effort has its limits. “God, Your will be done in my life” is our daily request. Believe, Pray, Praise, and Wait.
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). Yes, it is in the raging storms that we learn to depend on our Triumphant King Jesus who is in the storm with us and promises to always give us peace. Thank You, Jesus!
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” —Isaiah 43:2, NLT
Lord God, we admit that our faith is weak. Still, we approach Your Throne of Grace in faith, asking You to supply all of our provisions in a time of devastating loss. We pray for the strength to endure and the wisdom to identify the things we need to let go of. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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