Sanctification – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

“What does it mean to be a Christian?” God’s Answer: The Message of the Cross

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] Only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, Amplified Bible).

If a coworker asked you, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” how would you respond?

Our answer is John 3:16: “God, the Father gave His only Son, Jesus Christ…” revealing that we understand that “The Message of the Cross,” always focuses on God, the Father’s, and [Jesus] God, the Son’s Life-Giving Plan of Redemption.

The Apostle Paul explains the difficulty of the human mind comprehending The Message of The Cross: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

“We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19).

When we initially accepted Christ as our Savior, it is God, the Holy Spirit, who gave us the wisdom to understand the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ Love, the Sacrificial Gift of His Life, and His Power to cleanse us from the unrighteousness of sin.

The Blood of Jesus Washes Us and We Are Spiritually Clean: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). What a beautiful and foundational Truth!

“God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14).

“The Message of The Cross [Jesus Christ] is the Core Foundation of the Christian Faith. It is God’s Ultimate Act of Sacrificial Love, the forgiveness of sins, and the Power of Salvation for those who believe!”

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…” (Proverbs 2:6, ESV).

Without asking the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and knowledge, our understanding and perception of God’s Saving and Redeeming Grace is severely limited.

Daily worship invites the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and strength we need for our spiritual journey and growth; The Spirit of Truth also teaches us the deepest meaning of God’s Holy Scriptures [God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways, Isaiah 55:8-9].

Like the Athenians in the Apostle Paul’s era, who had an altar inscribed “To The Unknown God” many of today’s believers do not understand that Jesus is the Foundation of Christianity, or even know how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Bible is our Spiritual Guide. We must study for ourselves. Not knowing who God is and how to apply Christian principles to everyday life, diminishes one’s faith in a Loving God, who gave His all when Jesus went to the Cross to save our souls.

It is God, the Holy Spirit, who gives us the spiritual wisdom and discernment to comprehend the Holy Scriptures, and The Life-Giving and Life-Saving Message of The Cross.

The Answer to Living a Victorious Life Through Jesus Christ: “Pray continuously!” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Jesus’ Promise: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

God honors us when we consecrate and surrender ourselves daily to follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. The Christian Journey requires living a Christ-Centered life of faithful obedience, dedicated to worshiping God through Prayer and Bible Study.

In morning worship, ask for wisdom. And day by day, the Holy Spirit will empower you to see life through spiritual eyes, giving you the Spiritual Discernment to grasp the magnitude of Jesus’ Sacrificial Gift of His Life on Calvary’s Cross.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13, ESV).

God is Omniscient, perceiving time as Eternal, and His Wisdom is higher than we can ever imagine. The Bible is unequivocally Superior to all human knowledge, strategies, and thoughts, and artificial intelligence.

Our prayer for a deeper understanding of Jesus’ Love and the Message of the Cross is immediately answered by the Holy Spirit. Whether we are new to studying the Bible or have studied for years, we can never exhaust the Wisdom of God.

Our Heavenly Father is Loving, meeting us exactly where we are in our journey with Christ. When we do our part, the Holy Spirit establishes a spiritual foundation, gradually teaching us God’s Higher Thoughts, and how to live righteously.

Sanctification is the Spiritual process of being changed into the likeness of Christ Righteous Character. Study Matthew 11:29 and Galatians 5:22-23.

“For it is written, ‘Be holy, for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

When we pray and study the Holy Scriptures, God, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our minds and hearts, preparing us for a Holy Heavenly Home.

Recognizing Spiritual Transformation: Not only will our desires be different, we will not speak words, or engage in activities that bring shame and dishonor to our Heavenly Father.

Reflection: Does your heart align with the Righteousness of Christ? Our thoughts reflect whether our eyes are on the prize of the Crown of Life, or if we are focusing on the meaningless things of this Earth.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8, NLT).

Everyday we must remind ourselves that we are the blessed recipients of God’s Love, Grace, Mercy, and Salvation. Keep yourself on a high Spiritual Alert! In these Last Days [2 Timothy 3], Satan is busy!

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).

Never let your emotions make decisions for you. Fight uncertainties and temptations by whispering prayers for God’s Guidance and Strength throughout your day!

The Holy Spirit responds by strengthening our faith, giving us directions, and redirecting our focus back to Jesus Christ, our Risen and Triumphant King.

The joy of the Lord is our strength! Because of the magnitude of Jesus’ Gift of Eternal Life, our hearts should overflow with love and gratitude.

Study Revelation Chapters 21-22, memorizing the love and beauty of our future Forever Home.

In John 16:33, Jesus warns us in advance that our Spiritual Journey would be tough, but with His Guidance, Strength, Power, we can face life with courage, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” Pray, trust, and depend on Jesus’ Strength.

From a spiritual perspective, there is no reason for a praying Christian believer not to be full of Jesus’ joy, peace, and happiness. Every minute of the hour of the day, we must fight the good fight of faith!

Immediately Respond to All Temptations With Prayer

Be aware of your thoughts and desires! Without the Holy Spirit converting our heart, the inherited human heart is filled with desires of greed that can never be satisfied!

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19, 21).

Allowing ourselves to be mesmerized by Satan’s temporary material possessions and money spiritually disconnects us from Christ.

Greed changes our hearts from pure to unclean, and evicts the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit no longer resides within us, we lose our spiritual focus, and the ability to think clearly.

Praying for our heart’s desires [success, material possessions, money, and relationships] will receive an answer of “No” from God. Why?

God’s priority is to change our character. We can come to Jesus, Just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. Spiritual Transformation is a slow process, requiring a lifelong journey of little steps of growth.

We cannot change ourselves, nor can we speed up the spiritual rate of growth, our responsibility is to follow, obey Christ, and to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

God gave Jesus to save us from the wages of sin; and He desires to give us His Best Blessings in the New Heaven and New Earth, not on this temporary Earth that has no future.

Trust God, who knows the future and redirect your faith and focus back to Jesus! Change your prayer to, “Lord God, I want what You desire for me.”

“To him who overcomes, I will give the Crown of Life” is Jesus’ promise. It’s time for us to think, act, and live as if we are blessed recipients of Salvation and will soon receive our reward of Eternal Life.

We are Temporary Travelers Living on a Temporary Earth preparing everyday for our Forever Eternal home. Yes and Amen!

When our goals align with Jesus’ Promises in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12, this Earth becomes insignificant. Jesus is Coming! We are waiting for our inheritance of the Crown of Life.

Use your faith to trust God and His Excellent Thoughts and Plans, which are designed to give us hope and a blessed Eternal Future with Jesus, our LORD of Lords and KING of Kings.

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18).

Lord God, we pray for a Spiritual Revival and Reformation in our hearts. We ask You to forgive us for our sins, and to give us clarity and strength when we are uncertain of why we are Christians. We confess that we are not studying Your Holy Scriptures as we should and our prayer life is weak. Lord, today we commit to loving and honoring You as You deserve. Thank You for reminding us that because You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ to save us from the second death, we owe You faithful obedience, and honor, glory, and praise. We know that You love us, forgive us for not returning Your love. Today, we desire to restart our spiritual journey. Lord, teach us how to be holy. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Running The Christian Race – Strive For Your Crown of Life!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV)

There is a misconception that has spread like wildfire in the Christian Community: Because Jesus Paid it All [redeeming us from our sins] on Calvary’s Cross, once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we don’t have to do anything beyond attending church to receive Eternal Life.

Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12, NKJV).

The Amplified Translation: “Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness).” (Revelation 22:12).

Throughout the Bible, God reveals that He has given us spiritual gifts and innate talents to use for His Honor and Glory. “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6).

“By His own humiliation and agony, Christ has paid the purchase for our salvation, and He has a right to our services.”

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“By the body we are to understand [lustful desires], appetites, and inclinations. These the apostle Paul set himself to curb and conquer, and in this the Corinthians [members of the Corinth Church] were bound to imitate him…”

“I say then: ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’ ” (Galatians 5:16).

“[We] must fight hard to overcome fleshly lusts, and not to surrender to uncontrolled appetites.” Fleshly lusts also includes the relentless pursuit of our desires, material possessions, wealth, and relationships with the intent of self-gratification.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).

“You are the light of the world…You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13-14).

As “Light and Salt of the Earth” [Matthew 5], we represent God’s Love by possessing the Fruit of the Spirit, including self-control, which represents Christ’s Righteous Character:

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, Amplified Bible).

As “Light and Salt of the Earth,” God has given us the responsibility of spreading “The Message of the Cross.”

Sadly, many believers cannot fulfill their God-given Spiritual Assignment of witnessing to others, because they do not have a heart to Heart relationship with Jesus Christ. And from not studying the Holy Scriptures they do not know or understand God’s Character, His Commandments, and Righteous Precepts.

Walk In Love – Walk In Light – Walk In Wisdom

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ And Jesus replied to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'” (Matthew 22:36-38).

Love for God is the foundation and the catalyst of our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. To love God is to know Him, to honor and revere Him, and to put God First in every aspect of life.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:12, ESV).

Following Jesus requires that we love Him more than we love ourselves, and this includes our spouse, and our family. We do not neglect them, yet, we do not compromise because they are not committed to following Jesus with faithful obedience.

Dedicated followers of Christ are willing to live a daily sacrificial life of self-denial and faithful obedience. “I will not sin against God,” is the True Believer’s Creed.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational act of worship.” (Romans 12:1, Amplified Bible).

Sacrificial Commitment: The daily personal worship of praying, fasting [at least one hour per day], and surrendering oneself to follow Jesus cannot be accomplished without self-denial, self-control, and Jesus’ Wisdom, Strength and Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit.

“Spiritual Fasting is an earnest tool for seeking God’s Wisdom, breaking self-dependence, [and sinful habits, behaviors, and self-seeking pleasures].”

Practical Ways to Incorporate Spiritual Fasting: At 8 pm, I cease all food intake, with the exception of water [if thirsty]. At 10 pm, I pray for God’s forgiveness of sins, asking for blessings of safety while sleeping, and to reveal His will for my life.

The next morning, I whisper a prayer of gratitude for the blessing of a new day, breaking my fast with lemon water. At times, I feel no hunger for 3-4 hours, so I delay eating.

Spiritual fasting draws us closer to Christ and gives us spiritual and mental clarity. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to distinguish God’s Voice above our thoughts and others’ voices.

From daily fasting, we are rewarded by Jesus with the Wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes. Not only do we gain a higher spiritual focus, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the self-control to stop former habits and behaviors. Yes and Amen!

Before engaging in spiritual fasting for an extended time, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will guide you regarding the duration of your fast. This is especially important for those with medical diagnoses that require taking medications within definitive time parameters.

“See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15).

Continuous Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with Spiritual Wisdom, Discernment, and Strength. Without daily Spiritual Reinforcements, it is impossible to recognize and overcome Satan’s continuous covert strategies and temptations.

We receive our greatest Spiritual Blessings through personal worship. Our love and gratitude to God for our Spiritual Gift of Time is revealed by separating ourselves to worship Him one-to-one in Spirit and Truth.

From praying and eating The Bread of Life and drinking The Living Water [Studying The Holy Scriptures], God, the Holy Spirit converts our heart, and transforms our mind and character, preparing us for eternity with Jesus Christ.

Sanctification is performed by the Holy Spirit, who requires our willingness to actively participate in our daily spiritual growth and character transformation into the likeness of Christ. Let go of people, places, and habits that fail to honor God!

“Be holy for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

If our lives do not reflect the daily sacrifice of self-denial, and the willingness to surrender with faithful obedience to follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness then we are only carrying the label of being a Christian.

Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the Last Days [2 Timothy 3], Run, Run, Run the Spiritual Race with Conviction and Courage in the Power of our Lord, Savior, and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Who Promises:

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.” (Revelation 3:21).

Lord God, as we strive to run the Christian Race, we ask You to empower us with Your Divine Wisdom and Strength. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, teach us how to be holy, and guide us in our thoughts, spoken words, and decisions, so we always bring Glory and Honor to your Holy and Righteous Name. Jesus, please be our Strength, lead us, guide us, correct us, and protect us. Thank You, for Your Amazing Love. We ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Christ Chose Us To Always Reflect His Light

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:14, 16

Pastor G’s Testimony of His Life-Changing Experience

“It was a busy morning for Pastor G. He had awakened early to prepare for the Bible Class and the Sermon, and he was also leading an Evangelistic Series in the afternoon. He grabbed his keys, ran out the door, and sped away….

He drove through the city traffic, annoyed that so many people were out on that morning and could make him late for church. Where were they all going? Then, out of nowhere, one car cut in front of him. He slammed on the brakes and held up his fist in frustration and anger, yelling at the driver.

Finally, Pastor G arrived at the church. As he stood up to teach the lesson, his eyes scanned his class and came to rest on a familiar face: the driver of the car he was angry at just 20 minutes earlier was sitting on the church pew.” SSNet

Jesus’ disciple Peter was a fisherman who was prideful, aggressive, impatient, and usually the first one to express his feelings using harsh words.

In fact, at The Last Supper when Jesus told them that one of them would betray Him, Peter immediately stated, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33).

As the disciples followed Jesus to the Mount of Olives and entered the Garden of Gethsemane before He separated Himself to pray, Jesus told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

The Rest of Peter’s Story: After Jesus’ arrest, Peter viciously denied knowing Christ three times, swearing and cursing, and then the rooster crowed, just like Jesus prophesied.

Jesus Forgives and Restores Peter: After Jesus’ resurrection, He had breakfast with His disciples by the sea. “Jesus asked Peter three times, ‘Do you love me?’ as recorded in John 21:15–17.”

“By asking Peter, ‘Do you love Me?’ three times, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of Peter’s love and [unrelenting] obedience to his Lord as necessary for his future ministry.”

And from deciding that he desired to love like Jesus loved, Peter cooperated with the Holy Spirit, who changed his crude, unloving heart into a gentle heart that was tender and responsive, a heart overflowing with God’s Agape Love.

Yes, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave Peter the wisdom and the words to witness Jesus’ Love and Saving Power: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36).

When Peter spoke, the people who knew him as the rough fisherman listened closely to his words. Yes, Peter revealed that following Jesus, and surrendering to Him with faithful obedience, invites the Holy Spirit to transform us from roaring lions into gentle sheep.

The People’s Response: “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:40-41).

Today, Jesus is asking His believers [you and me], “Do you love Me?” Yes? Then Feed My Lost Sheep!

Possessing the Love of Christ Is the Foundation of Our Relationship With Christ and Our Most Powerful Witness: “Though I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Like Peter, if we desire a spiritual transformation [total makeover] of our heart, mind, and character, we commit daily to following Christ with love, surrender, faith, and obedience, always praying for wisdom, guidance, and strength.

Spiritual Growth Requires Human Effort and Divine Help! We were not created with the ability to change ourselves. Behavior Modification is the attempt to change by using human strategies and effort, but Spiritual Transformation can only occur when we are empowered daily by the Holy Spirit.

Human Effort: To follow Jesus requires a life of self-denial, renouncing sin, and agreeing to live as clean vessels with pure hearts. Spiritual transformation is a lifelong, daily spiritual process, which requires us to be in total agreement with the Holy Spirit.

Yes, the spiritual journey is tough! Yet, we have hope; eleven of Jesus’ twelve apostles were transformed [Judas had his own agenda, including betraying Christ].

Through prayer, we commit to actively participating in our Salvation. We must maintain the continual desire to be one of Jesus’ faithful disciples. Using self-control, when we resist our heart’s desires and Satan’s temptations, the Holy Spirit gives us the Divine strength to overcome.

To Be a Light Requires a Daily Battle With Self and Satan!

Reflection: Are we ready to use our faith and self-control, praying to be empowered with Jesus’ Strength when facing challenges and temptations?

Jesus revealed in His earthly life that He relied on the Divine Power of the Holy Spirit for strength to accomplish His daily goals and to say, No to temptation.

The Character of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, Amplified Bible).

How do we know we are growing spiritually?

Spiritual Growth is gradual, but consistently progressing, from the invisible spiritual, mental, and emotional changes to the visible physical changes.

Jesus’ Promise: “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).

From the moment we wake up, we have peace and joy from being filled with the Light of Jesus’ Love and Compassion—our presence, facial expressions, attitude, thoughts, spoken words, and actions reflect that we are “lights” in darkness.

The Holy Spirit, through daily Sanctification, changes us from the inside; we let go of worldly habits, clothing, and lifestyles that we used to enjoy; and the things that used to annoy and upset us, instead, we whisper a prayer or sing a song, praising God for His Faithfulness.

“The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1, NIV). To be a “light” requires continuous self-denial and steadfast faith, courage, and prayer. You will lose friends and family.

“We live in a world that hates God’s Truth, but that reality should not prevent us from sharing [God’s Love] in thoughtful, loving ways.”

As empty vessels, if we allow ourselves to be filled with the Light of Jesus’ Love and Compassion, serving as witnesses of God’s Steadfast Love, Grace, and Mercies, Jesus has this promise for you and me:

“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). Yes and Amen!

The Apostle Peter’s Guidance:

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers [and sisters], be tenderhearted, be courteous;

not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-9, 12).

Lord God, we thank You for choosing us to follow and represent Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world. We pray for a spiritual makeover, one that represents a heart filled with Christ’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, and self-control. We desire for our minds and characters to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, revealing to the world that loving and following Jesus makes a difference in one’s life. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to those who desperately need to know that Jesus loves them. We also pray for wisdom, guidance, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Are You Growing In Spiritual Knowledge And Wisdom?

“‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.'” (Jeremiah 33:3, Amplified Bible)

Through daily surrender, prayer, and studying the Holy Bible, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and the One and Only interpretation of God’s Truth in the Scriptures.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him.” (1 John 3:1, NLT).

The Bible is God’s Love Letters, written for every Christian believer. Because we inherited sinful hearts [Jeremiah 17:9], it is easier for us to follow our desires, leading us into disobedience against God.

Every day, we must choose to do what is right according to God’s Righteous Principles. The test of our love and loyalty for Jesus is one that we cannot pass without being empowered with our Shepherd’s Divine Wisdom and Strength.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]. (2 Timothy 1:7).

God gifted us with the Spiritual Fruit of self-control, but we must pray, asking for the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize sin, and the strength to say, No.

In Ephesians chapter 6, we learn that we are in a spiritual battle, requiring us to continuously overcome our heart’s desires and Satan’s temptations.

Still, we are not helpless! Satan can never force us to sin against God. We decide to embrace or to renounce sin. We have the power to be loyal to God by proclaiming, “No, I will not sin against God.”

“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 higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The Bible also serves as our Spiritual Map. We were created with limitations, including the inability to see beyond the moment, we are living in.

God’s Words of Warning: “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” In Proverbs 3: 5-7, God tells us not to trust our own thoughts or follow human wisdom.

We are blessed to have the Holy Spirit who convicts us through our conscience when we are considering choices that separate us from God.

Recently, I had a “Come to Jesus” experience. While preparing for personal worship, the Holy Spirit convicted me of only sporadically praying for God’s Guidance. I quickly came to my spiritual senses, asking myself, What were you thinking? How can I know more than God?

When we separate ourselves to pray and meditate on God’s Love, Saving Grace, Mercies, and His Sovereign Authority and Power, the Holy Spirit opens our minds to understand the magnitude of our disobedience against God.

“Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people]…”

16 “making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Do not trust your salvation to anyone else! Do not believe the enemy’s lie that you do not have to pray and study the Bible!

Praying, Studying the Scriptures, and Obeying God is the way Jesus intentionally lived. Christ always prayed for spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to overcome temptations.

The Apostle Paul was given the Spiritual Assignment of starting the early churches.

Since most of the converts were from pagan backgrounds, they required the knowledge to let go of former hatred for others, lustful desires, and idol worshipping practices.

The Holy Spirit empowered Paul with the knowledge to teach and guide the new believers in letting go of their sinful habits and lifestyles.

The Epistles [Books] of the Bible that Paul wrote are not only letters to the members of the Early Churches, his writings are still relevant for today’s Christian believers, who have the same unrighteous behaviors and temptations to overcome.

“Be holy, for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher. Through daily personal worship [Prayer and Bible Study], with faithful obedience, we surrender to Christ, inviting the Holy Spirit to give us the Spiritual Knowledge and Wisdom that we need to navigate in this sinful and evil environment that we live in.

“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by Divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]” (2 Timothy 3:16, Amplified Bible).

God teaches us His expectations and how to live holy through the Scriptures.

The Bible teaches us about God’s Loving Character, the Creation, the history of God’s Divine Help, and the life of suffering that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, endured to complete the Plan of Redemption, required to save us from the wages of sin [Romans 6:23].

God’s Holy Word has separated the Christian Community into two groups of believers:

Those who study and obey the Scriptures will remain faithful and steadfast, because they invite the Holy Spirit to empower them with the highest level of Spiritual Knowledge and Wisdom; And those who refuse to study the Bible, who will continue to live a life of compromise, following their thoughts and living as they please.

God’s Grace and Mercy: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

Everyday, we have the opportunity to choose Eternal Life by renouncing sin, and dedicating ourselves to follow and obey Jesus through continuous prayer, and the study of the Word of God.

Bible Study: The Book of Philippians

Lord God, we come to You with humility, asking for the forgiveness of wilful disobedience. We have come to our senses, realizing that You demonstrated Your Love for us, by giving Your Only Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered, bled, and died on Calvary’s Cross. We know that the next time Jesus comes, He will come as the Triumphant KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. Today, we commit ourselves with faith and surrender to follow Jesus Christ, our Savior and Shepherd. And we also ask for the Holy Spirit to empower us with wisdom and understanding, as we seek knowledge in Your Holy Word. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Testimony Revealing the Transforming Power of Jesus Christ

“Behold, I am the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me. (Jeremiah 32:27).

Brothers and sisters when we surrender ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, His power is unlimited! Preparing for eternal life one day at a time. Peace and Blessings.

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Trust God With Your Life

Redirecting our faith and focus from our challenges to God’s Sovereign and Unlimited Power proves that we believe God is who He says He is, “I Am that I Am!”

Elisha Prays, “Lord, Open His Eyes”

“Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, ‘I will set up my camp in such and such a place.'”

9 “The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: ‘Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.’ 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.”

11 “This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, ‘Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?'”

12 “‘None of us, my lord the king,’ said one of his officers, ‘but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.'”

13 “Go, find out where he is,’ the king ordered, ‘so I can send men and capture him.’ The report came back: ‘He is in Dothan.’ 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.”

15 “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.”

16 “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'”

17 “And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

18 “As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, ‘Strike this army with blindness.’ So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.” (2 Kings 6:8-18, NIV).

This morning at 3 am, God awakened me to speak to my heart, and reminded me, that He is the God of all flesh, and nothing is too hard for Him.

God’s primary method of speaking to us is through the Holy Scriptures. Sadly, we have become too comfortable with only attending church once a week, and hearing second hand knowledge of who God is from others who dedicate their time and effort to studying God’s Holy Word.

Elisha was a great prophet, and in Biblical times, servants lived with their masters. Servitude was not like the atrocious enslavement that the Israelites suffered in Egypt.

Although Elisha’s servant had witnessed God perform countless miracles through His faithful and dedicated prophet, Elisha’s servant remained faithless.

How is it possible for someone to witness the power of God and still not believe?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).

To believe in God requires that our hearts are converted and we place 100% of our faith in God.

When challenges arise, instead of us thinking, What am I going to do? We immediately fall to our knees and pray for Divine Help, and in the same prayer, thank God for giving us the victory.

Why? Because we believe that God loves us, and we have a Heavenly Father Who is Sovereign and Omnipotent.

To have the faith and courage that God requires us to completely trust Him with our life. We relinquish self-reliance through daily surrender.

Whether we are facing dilemmas, or the routine duties of life, when we include God, we reveal that our love, loyalty, and trust is completely in Him.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 6:8).

It is wonderful to awaken with a mind filled with peace, joy, and happiness. Involving God in every aspect of our lives is a faith-building activity that removes all doubts, fears, anxieties, and worries.

From our willingness to trust and obey God, Christ promises to shower us with His greatest spiritual blessings of steadfast faith, courage, wisdom, discernment, endurance, and perseverance, which is required to run the Christian race and win.

Steadfast faith in God redirects our focus to God’s power instead of the circumstances. We can only live as Victorious Overcomers, if we stop trusting in our limited abilities.

How important is faith in God? Faith in God is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith, or the lack of faith also determines our destiny.

Reflection: If we did not honor and revere God with steadfast faith in our earthly lives, can we expect to spend eternity with God?

If we did not trust God on Earth, it would also be impossible to trust Him in Heaven.

The character that we develop on Earth must reveal steadfast Faith and the attributes of the Character of Christ, written in Galatians 5:22-23 to receive Eternal Life.

Yes, we were given a mustard seed size faith, but God expects our faith to strengthen and experience growth based on our belief in His Sovereign Power, which requires knowledge of His Divine Character.

Our daily personal worship should consist of prayer and studying the Bible. The Scriptures feed our faith. The same God who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River says, “I do not change! Trust Me.”

Those who trust in God are empowered with the Divine Strength of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

Trusting God with your life produces spiritual growth and development. Not only will you begin to perceive life through spiritual eyes, but your character will also change to reflect the Righteousness of Christ.

David’s prayer reveals that humility, surrender, and obedience is worship: “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).

Preparing for Eternal Life One Day At a Time

Lord God, we come to You on bended knees, seeking Your forgiveness for redirecting our faith and trust from You to ourselves, and for not studying your Holy Scriptures. Lord, we confess that our faith is weak because we have failed to worship you in Spirit and Truth. We ask you for strength, wisdom, and discernment. And we thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sabbath Peace and Blessings

For the next 24 hours, immerse yourself in the Holy Scriptures, asking the Holy Spirit to empower you with wisdom, discernment, and the strength to apply God’s Righteous Principles to your life.

In 2 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul described the time we are living in, The Last Days. To keep moving forward in our spiritual journey with Christ, we must be anchored to Christ through the study of the Bible, and much prayer.

Lord God, we pray and ask for the wisdom to see life through spiritual eyes. We know that You are coming soon, and Lord, we ask You to give us direction, so we stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask for a double blessing on this Holy Sabbath. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

Love Every Day Preparing for Eternity

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.

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“Real Impact Comes When We Shift From My Plans to God’s Purpose”

Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of Spiritual Growth and Character Transformation necessary to receive our reward of Eternal Life.

The difference between unbelievers and believers is that we love God. And we demonstrate it by surrendering ourselves every day in prayer, asking for His Divine Plans to be revealed, and for the spiritual strength to obey and fulfill His plans.

Peace and Blessings

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God Promises to Bring Us Through Our Trials

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