Tag: Sabbath

Sabbath Devotional–A Time of Peace

Devotional—A Time of Peace–From The Struggle of Sanctification by Sonya Johnson

The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart. —1 Samuel 13:14

From a shepherd boy who killed lions and bears to becoming a teen giant slayer, David matured into a Warrior King who led armies to victory. Many know that he wrote the book of Psalms, yet, they are not familiar with his life events and reign as king that are documented in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st Chronicles. In studying Chronicles, we find that David’s reign involved continuous wars and victories over enemy nations.

How could David be a man after God’s heart when he intentionally committed adultery and ordered her husband to be placed on the frontline of the battle? Yes, he made errors in judgment by following his heart’s desires. God sent the prophet Nathan with a message to confront David regarding his sins [Read 2 Samuel 12].

For his grievous sin of taking Bathsheba and killing her husband, David received a twofold punishment, the death of their first child, and his life was filled with chaos. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you…” (2 Samuel 12:11).

Once David became king, he also sinned by taking many wives and concubines, bringing abject chaos into his home. Though his enemies sought to take his life, including King Saul, and two of David’s sons—Absalom and Adonijah rebelled against him, God’s righteous hand of protection was upon King Davids’s life. Despite his willful disobedience of following his carnal desires, David repented and found favor with God. The Psalms portray David’s heartfelt love for God.

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’” (Psalm 27:7-8)

Nearing the end of his reign, David decided to build the Temple. Like many of us, King David assumed God would approve his plans to build the Temple because he made the human effort of gathering all of the materials [Read 1 Chronicles 29, verses 1-5].

God’s Answer: “Then King David rose to his feet and said, ‘Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.’ But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.’” (1 Chronicles 28:2-3)

From the disobedient act of taking Bathsheba as his wife, God forgave David. And from that union, Solomon, the wisest man was born and became King. With the love and mercy that only our Heavenly Father can give, David received this promise:

“But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.” (1 Chronicles 22:9-10).

King David’s command to Solomon: “Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary, be strong and do it” (1 Chronicles 28:10).

David’s life represents the lives of many Christian believers who face spiritual, mental, and emotional distress from unexpected life events, chaos in the home amongst family members, and the suffering of consequences from their acts of presumption and disobedience.

We have biblical accounts of the history of humanity’s defeats, disobedience, suffering, and victories. Still, God has shown His abundant love, grace, and mercy to those who followed their hearts. We will always suffer consequences for our disobedience to God. At times, we receive mercy and do not receive the full impact of what we deserve. Yet, we should not take God’s mercy for granted. It is a privilege to serve a God who expects us to be holy because He is Holy.

Sin changes the heart into a rebellious state against God. At that point, we lose the desire to obey God along with our spiritual gifts of peace and contentment. The state of the world in 2022 is the most perilous time in our lives. Staying obedient to God is a covenant vow that brings many benefits. Pray about every decision whether big or small. “Teach me Your way, O Lord…” (Psalm 27:11).

To have God’s Divine protection, provisions, and peace changes the very trajectory of our lives. More than ever, we need God!

Prayer: God, we thank You for protecting us against dangers seen and unseen. Thank you for Your grace and mercies. We pray for forgiveness for following our hearts instead of waiting for Your direction. We ask for Your divine guidance through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

A Time of Peace

Devotional—A Time of Peace–From The Struggle of Sanctification by Sonya Johnson

The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart. —1 Samuel 13:14

From a shepherd boy who killed lions and bears to becoming a teen giant slayer, David matured into a Warrior King who led armies to victory. Many know that he wrote the book of Psalms, yet, they are not familiar with his life events and reign as king that are documented in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st Chronicles. In studying Chronicles, we find that David’s reign involved continuous wars and victories over enemy nations.

How could David be a man after God’s heart when he intentionally committed adultery and ordered her husband to be placed on the frontline of the battle? Yes, he made errors in judgment by following his heart’s desires. God sent the prophet Nathan with a message to confront David regarding his sins [Read 2 Samuel 12].

For his grievous sin of taking Bathsheba and killing her husband, David received a twofold punishment, the death of their first child, and his life was filled with chaos. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you…” (2 Samuel 12:11).

Once David became king, he also sinned by taking many wives and concubines, bringing abject chaos into his home. Though his enemies sought to take his life, including King Saul, and two of David’s sons—Absalom and Adonijah rebelled against him, God’s righteous hand of protection was upon King Davids’s life. Despite his willful disobedience of following his carnal desires, David repented and found favor with God. The Psalms portray David’s heartfelt love for God.

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’” (Psalm 27:7-8)

Nearing the end of his reign, David decided to build the Temple. Like many of us, King David assumed God would approve his plans to build the Temple because he made the human effort of gathering all of the materials [Read 1 Chronicles 29, verses 1-5].

God’s Answer: “Then King David rose to his feet and said, ‘Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.’ But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.’” (1 Chronicles 28:2-3)

From the disobedient act of taking Bathsheba as his wife, God forgave David. And from that union, Solomon, the wisest man was born and became King. With the love and mercy that only our Heavenly Father can give, David received this promise:

“But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.” (1 Chronicles 22:9-10).

King David’s command to Solomon: “Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary, be strong and do it” (1 Chronicles 28:10).

David’s life represents the lives of many Christian believers who face spiritual, mental, and emotional distress from unexpected life events, chaos in the home amongst family members, and the suffering of consequences from their acts of presumption and disobedience.

We have biblical accounts of the history of humanity’s defeats, disobedience, suffering, and victories. Still, God has shown His abundant love, grace, and mercy to those who followed their hearts. We will always suffer consequences for our disobedience to God. At times, we receive mercy and do not receive the full impact of what we deserve. Yet, we should not take God’s mercy for granted. It is a privilege to serve a God who expects us to be holy because He is Holy.

Sin changes the heart into a rebellious state against God. At that point, we lose the desire to obey God along with our spiritual gifts of peace and contentment. The state of the world in 2022 is the most perilous time in our lives. Staying obedient to God is a covenant vow that brings many benefits. Pray about every decision whether big or small. “Teach me Your way, O Lord…” (Psalm 27:11).

To have God’s Divine protection, provisions, and peace changes the very trajectory of our lives. More than ever, we need God!

Prayer: God, we thank You for protecting us against dangers seen and unseen. Thank you for Your grace and mercies. We pray for forgiveness for following our hearts instead of waiting for Your direction. We ask for Your divine guidance through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

Born with the Strength to Overcome

Devotional–Born with the Strength to Overcome From The Struggle of Sanctification by Sonya Johnson

A child has more than the physical appearance of their parents, they also inherit mommy and daddy’s personality traits, and learn their parent’s or caregiver’s observable behaviors and habits.

Whether we agree or not, humanity was made in the image of God. Those who believe in God most likely possess knowledge of the Creation story in Genesis. Still, a profound lack of understanding exists of God’s attributes as evidenced by our natural reaction to feeling defeated in times of adversity.

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ ” (Genesis 1:26)

For us to have dominion over the animals, we must have the innate characteristics to perform the duty we were given by God. Our Heavenly Father is all-knowing and was aware of the difficulties we would face before He created us. We were born with the necessary attributes to be courageous and to perform the duties that our lives require.

  1. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
  2. “…Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us (Romans 12:3 NLT).

Our God-given gifts: Power, Love, a Sound Mind, and a Measure of Faith.

No, we are not demigods nor do we have divine power without asking for divine strength. Nor were we created to function independently without God’s Divine Intervention in our daily lives.

“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.’ ” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The human effort of acquiring knowledge of who God is gives us the confidence that we are not alone to fight against spiritual warfare and our daily challenges. When the apostle Paul asked God three times to take away His thorn in the flesh [poor eyesight], Jesus answered with No. God does not give yes answers to prayers that would give us the ability to function without His divine Intervention. Many people choose to live without God, but “…the way of the transgressor is hard” (Proverbs 13:15).

Faith, love, courage, power, and a sound mind require spiritual nutrients for proper growth. Many of today’s believers rely on the pastor’s sermons to feed their minds and souls. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 timothy 2:15). God has given us the responsibility of studying the Scriptures for ourselves. The importance of studying the Scriptures is we learn of the divinity and power of the Trinity Godhead–God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and God’s will and plans for our lives.

“Pray without ceasing” (2 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is vital! Prayer sustains our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health. Pray for the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit in the morning as soon as you awaken. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot discern the spiritual meaning and depth of the Word of God [the Bible]. Prayer is the way in which we communicate and stay connected with the God of the Universe who imparts His Divine power and strength through the Holy Spirit to us every day.

Yet, God does not impose Himself in our lives. If we do not take the time to worship through prayer and study of the Bible, we will be weak and despondent as a babe who does not receive proper nutrition. Anxiety, worry, and depression cannot enter the mind of a believer who stays connected to Jesus, the Source of Life.

The human effort of maintaining our relationship with Christ [He is the only way that we can come to God] prepares us for unexpected times of trials and sorrows. Faith carries us through even in lengthy tribulations because we have faithfully stayed rooted and grounded in the Foundation, the solid Rock–Jesus Christ.

“Stand up straight and realize who you are, that you tower over your circumstances. You are a child of God. Stand up straight.” Maya Angelou

Prayer: God, thank You for the innate gifts that you have graciously given to us. We pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and for a stronger relationship with You. Jesus, we thank You for your great sacrifice and for being our Friend. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of Jesus, Amen.

In Harmony with God

Sabbath Devotional–In Harmony with God From The Struggle of Sanctification by Sonya Johnson

“Do you desire eternal life?” was the question in the Pastor’s appeal at the end of His sermon. Surrender, Commitment, Faith, Trust, and Obedience to God are the human effort required to do our part in maintaining a relationship with Christ. Daily praise and worship strengthen our ability to stay on the narrow Path of Righteousness. Yet, we cannot fulfill the requirements to live, think, and act in harmony with God unless our hearts belong to Him.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Matthew 22:37-39

Love for God is the catalyst that changes our mindset and posture of living to satisfy ourselves. Humility and obedience are the fruits [characteristics] produced by a loving heart. Love causes us to strive to stay on the Path of Righteousness and to put God first.

Many individuals will make substantial contributions and accomplishments in their earthly lives, yet, we will never receive eternal life based on our achievements. Divine Intervention is required daily for us to remain steadfast in our high-maintenance relationship with Jesus Christ.

Most human beings can fast from eating food for several days before their bodies are negatively impacted. But spiritual food obtained through prayer and study of the Scriptures is required daily to achieve and maintain spiritual growth. Because we face continuous spiritual warfare our only resources against Satan are Divine. Humanity cannot fight the evil forces [Satan and his angels] that dwell on this earth without the intervention of our Spiritual Team.

To stay in harmony with God we require help! Today’s believers face many distractions that keep us from abiding in Christ. Our favorite program that we look forward to watching suddenly contains profanity or sexual immorality in the current episode. Do we overlook the sinful content? Our temptations are custom-made for us. Never forget that we are fighting against a fallen angel and his army.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

We receive mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual strength from God through much prayer and additional reinforcement from the Holy Scriptures. It’s the Old Testament stories of humanity’s defeats and God’s divine intervention that gave fallen human beings victorious outcomes. The Bible was written for us to learn who God is and to provide hope through His promises.

Staying on the Path of Righteousness requires total surrender and commitment to follow Jesus Christ. And that is the toughest assignment we will ever face in our earthly lives. Our Heavenly Father demonstrated His agape love when He gave Jesus for our redemption [John 3:16]. We have everything that we need to receive the reward of eternal life if we choose to accept God’s plan and will for our lives. With a do-right mind, we can decide to Abide in Christ and with our commitment to trust and obey Him, Jesus has promised to finish the work in us [Philippians 1:6]. Have a blessed and happy Sabbath!

Human Effort plus Divine Intervention equals Victorious Outcomes!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we confess that many times we lose our desire to wholeheartedly commit to trust and obey You. We desire to live a sanctified and holy life and cannot do this without Your divine intervention. Search our hearts and reveal anything that hinders us from abiding in You. Hear our prayer that we ask in the Worthy name of Jesus. Amen.

Sabbath Rest and Restoration is Available for You

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy. Exodus 20:8-11

My life changed dramatically when I made the life change of keeping the Creation 7th day Sabbath. I believe our Creator God knew that the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components of our minds and bodies would require 24 hours of healing and restoration.

For our obedience, we live differently from non-Sabbath keepers. Personal testimony: I live without anxieties or worries. How? Through the study of the Scriptures, I know who God really is. My relationship with Christ is growing stronger every day. Most certainly, I face continuous spiritual warfare. And that’s when the praise and worship begin. God has resolved every problem with His Divine Power.

Pray, believe, and expect great blessings. God rewards our faithful obedience. Shut out the noise of the world from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. And your mind will begin to align with the will of God for your life. The faithful are always Victorious Overcomers!

“But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works” (Psalm 73:28).

Prayer: God, You Are mighty and Worthy of our highest praise. Thank You, for the peace and well-being that comes from our Sabbath worship, rest, and restoration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.