Tag: Sabbath

Sabbath Blessings—A Beautiful Time with God from Sunset to Sunset

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” —Mark 2:27

Jesus’ words remind us that the Sabbath day was meant to be a blessing rather than a burden to those who observe it. While others long for vacations, Sabbath-keepers eagerly look forward to their weekly Spiritual Spa. God honors our obedience by blessing us with spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical renewal and restoration.

The Creation Sabbath is 24 hours of God-focused, intentional worship and communion with our Heavenly Father. Yes, the Sabbath definitely gives us a reason to rejoice. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Deliverance From All of Our Troubles

Deliverance From All of Our Troubles, Sabbath Devotional Reading, June 30, 2023

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.” —Psalm 34:4,6

When David wrote the 34th chapter of Psalm, he was a fugitive, living in caves, and on the run from King Saul who planned to kill him. Although we cannot relate to his extreme situation, all of us have experiential knowledge of how it feels to have troubles that we cannot resolve. Yet, David gives us his testimony that God is faithful and will always deliver us when we pray in faith and wait on the Lord.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 34:17,19

“The Contemporary English Version of Psalm 34, verses 17 and 19 reads: “When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles. The Lord’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through.”

With confidence, we trust our Heavenly Father to answer our cries for help. The Bible reveals that God is a Loving Father who promises to take care of the righteous by giving us victory over all obstacles. We pray and are ever hopeful for a quick answer to our prayers.

How do we react when we have to wait for God’s Divine Intervention?

David was a fugitive for many years. Bible scholars tell us he became king at the age of 30. He was a young teenager when anointed by the prophet Samuel. A guestimate would be between 15 and 20 years living on the run. Although David tells us that God always keeps His promises and to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14), most believers begin to experience anxiety and worry within 24 hours of praying for God’s Divine Intervention.

Reflection: Why do I have the expectation that God will answer my prayers immediately?

The Waiting Period—When will God answer my prayers? And why hasn’t God answered my prayers?

We begin to overthink and create various reasons why God has not immediately answered our prayers. Sadly, we become discouraged or angry because God is silent. But impatience is a bitter fruit that causes us to lose faith, resulting in us not trusting in God’s promises and His power.

As our emotions escalate, our faith dwindles! Without a biblical foundation and consistent prayer, in troublesome times, our faith is weak or nonexistent. Suffering from spiritual malnutrition, we easily place ourselves under a dark cloud of unbelief and worry consumes our thoughts.

God is Omniscience—All-Knowing. We can have the assurance that God has knowledge of every trial and unexpected life event before they happen. Yes, He allowed us to journey through this tribulation. And He already knows how we will react! Prayer Warriors will keep on praying and believing in faith, but those who are sporadic in praying and studying the Scriptures will falter almost immediately.

It is comforting to know that God is infallible and incapable of making mistakes. Our Heavenly Father knows the level of faith each of us possesses and whether it will remain unwavering. Will we strengthen our faith while waiting or will we attempt to solve the issue on our own?

“But they who wait for 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

Jesus asks the question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46

Waiting on God is not only a spiritual test, waiting produces spiritual growth! Our love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience. Never minimize the spiritual importance of obeying God. How crucial is obedience to our righteousness? Obedience to God results in living an earthly life that allows the Holy Spirit to change our character in preparation to receive eternal life.

God expects every believer to have the spiritual qualities that are required for us to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

” ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Mark 12:30

“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6

Psalm 34:15: NKJV—”The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.” CEV—”If you obey the Lord, he will watch over you and answer your prayers.”

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. —Psalm 34:18. NIV—”The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

The characteristic of a broken heart is bitter disappointment producing sorrow and grief. “Contrite means ‘penitent,’ humbled by our own sins and failures, seeking after God.” openthebible.org

“…At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.” —Isaiah 60:22

Waiting on God requires much faith and a spirit of humility demonstrated by our heart’s desire to reverence and honor God by seeking His will. We can develop the mindset, “I don’t mind waiting on God because His resolution to my challenges is perfect.”

Will we feel discouraged [at times] while waiting? Yes! Never forget that God is transforming us. Waiting on God has a purpose—waiting through troublesome times produces perseverance and a righteous character! The human effort of remaining patient, faithful, and obedient is honored by God. Continue or start having daily worship [praying and studying the Scriptures] to build your faith and endurance. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you spiritual strength while waiting for your breakthrough miracle of deliverance.

Waiting is not punishment nor indication that God has forgotten. David waited 15 years before He became king at the age of 30. During the waiting, God is transforming our character and strengthening our faith. Trusting in God is more than verbalizing the spoken words of “God, I trust You.” We are guaranteed a victorious outcome if we remain steadfast until we receive deliverance.

Scripture Reading: “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’ ” 13 “I would have lost heart [courage], unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! ” —Psalm 27, Verses 7,8,13, and 14

Prayer: Hear our prayer, O LORD, forgive us of our transgressions, and deliver us from our adversity. We ask for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength to persevere through this trial. Jesus, we need You to help us to remain steadfast during the time of waiting for the promise of deliverance. We pray in faith and in Jesus’ Worthy Name, we ask these things. Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

God’s Spirit is Withdrawing From the Earth–Preparing for Eternal Life

The following quote from John Bradshaw summarizes our world’s spiritual and moral decline.

In recent times, the world has witnessed events that just a few years ago might have seemed unbelievable. Flooding, record temperatures, and devastating fires have given evidence that our planet is fragile. Traditional moral values have been turned upside down, while defenders of biblical standards have been ridiculed. Social media has become an ocean of unbridled anger and malice. Cancel culture ruins lives, careers, and reputations.

Politics has become openly hostile, seemingly devoid of the collegiality that once characterized political discourse. The lingering COVID-19 crisis revealed that in no time at all, the attention of the entire world can be fixed on a single, polarizing issue. John Bradshaw, It is Written

“And the LORD said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…” Genesis 6:3

“So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” Genesis 6:12

There are 8 billion people on this earth. Can you imagine that only a few would be saved and receive eternal life? Humanity is on a rapid and progressive journey toward the time of Noah. Many who were steadfastly serving God have fallen because of their carnal desires. Biblical prophecies are being fulfilled, yet, we continue to live casual, carefree lives.

Satan has introduced the noise of entertainment, the sports arena, politics, social unrest, violence, and addiction to social media to distract the people of God. Yet, the greatest entry into a believer’s life is from unequal relationships between believers and unbelievers. “Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

We have become mesmerized by the intentional deception of preaching false interpretations of the Scriptures. How is the prosperity message being tolerated and accepted in many of our churches? The reason for the popularity of false prosperity messages is our desire for earthly treasure. The line separating need from greed is blurred. We desire tangible things that we can see with our eyes.

A recent survey among Christians reveals that only one in nine studies the Bible every day. Our interest in fulfilling our heart”s desires has resulted in a disinterest in studying and obeying God’s commands in the Bible.

Baptism by immersion is only practiced by a few Bible-based churches. Witnessing to others and community outreach participation by members are almost non-existent. Most Prayer meetings and Bible studies are virtual because of the low attendance in-house. Weekly church attendance is not indicative of a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ.

The time is now for an honest, self-reflection and praying the prayer of David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Human Effort: Serving God requires an intentional mindset of striving to be holy. “…Be holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Jesus lived as a man who was tempted like we are, yet, He did not sin. It is impossible to live holy without praying for the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit. Our commitment involves putting God first and seeking His guidance in every area of our lives.

Divine Intervention: “I will send you the Helper from the Father. The Helper is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me. And you will tell people about me too because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27, ERV)

The human effort of daily surrender, faith, obedience, perseverance, prayer, and Bible study prepares us for the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In these last days of earth’s history, we need God’s Divine Intervention to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Although the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth, from the whisper of a prayer, we can have the Spirit of God within us to lead, teach, and give us spiritual wisdom and discernment.

Bible Study: Acts 3, The Day of Pentecost

Prayer: God, we desperately need Your help. We commit our hearts to you and ask to be anointed with the Holy Spirit. Thank You for your Divine Intervention. We pray for knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray, Amen.

In Adversity, The LORD is Our Fortress

In Adversity, The LORD is Our Fortress Devotional Reading June 19, 2023

“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, My God in Him I will trust.'” —Psalm 91:2

David lived as a fugitive for many years, running and hiding from King Saul who was jealous of David’s God-given strength and wisdom. Without faithfully relying on God’s promises of deliverance and protection, David would have quickly developed feelings of hopelessness from the adversity of living in caves.

“…While they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life. But as for me, I trust in you, O LORD, I say, You are my God. My times are in Your hand, deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, Save me for Your mercies’ sake. Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon you, let the wicked be ashamed…” —Psalm 31:13-17

Every believer has to travel down a path filled with adversities that cause us disappointment, sorrow, and frustration. We lose jobs, our plans fail, marriages end in divorce, health issues arise, the children act up, and friends and family avoid us because we are always going through trials. And to make matters worse, we begin to feel that God doesn’t love us.

During hard times, we easily forget God’s promises. But James, Jesus’ brother tells us, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.” —James 1:3-4.

Trials are not punishment! None of us are acceptable “as-is.” Adversity produces spiritual growth and transformation if we remain faithful to God. There is something that I have come to realize during my hard times—I become fixated on my circumstances instead of the POWER of God.

Nothing that we experience is a surprise to God. In a recent sermon, the speaker stated that Satan has to have Jesus’ permission before any spiritual warfare can come into our lives. It makes perfect sense that God has placed boundaries on Satan or he would take our lives whenever he felt like it. Thank You Jesus for your love and never-ending protection against the evil one!

Jesus gave his life for us! His magnitude of everlasting Love is a love that we will never fully understand in our earthly existence. Still, change your perception of God and make the commitment to see yourself differently. You have a Heavenly Father who knows the number of hairs on your head! You are a righteous believer of the Most-High God and the righteous have privileges!

Read David’s prayer in Psalm 31, verses 13 to 17. David reverently prayed for God to deliver him from his enemies. Even on the run, hiding out in caves, David prayed with confidence. He knew that God would deliver him from his enemies. Wait faithfully for your promise of deliverance! God never fails!

Our Father God is Watching and Listening: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” —Psalm 34:15-16

God’s Unbreakable Promise: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 34:17-19

Prayer: LORD God, “…how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You. Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men. You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence.” Heavenly Father, we come to You praying for Your help and the strength to persevere in these hard struggles of life. We believe that You will lead us through because of Your promise to never leave us or forsake us. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.