Sat, 29 Nov 2025 20:20:38 +0800WeeblyFri, 27 Nov 2020 01:23:17 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/the-best-guarantee

In our day money is often used to seal a guarantee. Sometimes, a word of honor is our only assurance. But talk is cheap, and money is gained and lost. Is there any guarantee that is completely trustworthy? Keep Reading…

READ
Ephesians 1:13-14 - When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

REFLECT
God the Father wanted you to be so confident in the solidity of your salvation and the hope of eternal life that he gave you a deposit. This is his guarantee that your salvation is real - his proof that he walks with you. And this guarantee has a name - the Holy Spirit.

You might be thinking, "How solid and sure is a guarantee like the Holy Spirit? I can't see him. I can hold money in my hands. Now that seems like a real guarantee. But the Spirit seems more like a symbolic gesture or a spiritual idea."

Do you remember how Jesus - God himself - walked around in crowds of people? Many believed him. But many did not. The Pharisees clearly saw God as their Father, but most of them denied the reality that Jesus is God. In the same way, the Father has sent the Holy Spirit to us so that we would be assured of his presence - the reality of Jesus walking with us. But many would say along with Philip, "Just show us the Father and that will be enough for us." (John 14:8) It is possible that the Holy Spirit - God himself - is standing right next to us, and we could deny his reality?

If God the Father and Jesus trust the Holy Spirit to be the most solid guarantee of his presence and all his promises, we should trust him too. The Father did not send us a symbol, a power, or an aura. He sent a person - the Holy Spirit. Just because you do not see him with physical eyes do not dismiss his reality. The Pharisees actually saw God with physical eyes and still denied his reality. The human heart believes what it wants to believe and sees what it wants to see.

RESPOND
Practice relating with this most solid, concrete guarantee that the Father has given you. Listen, talk, think, walk - all with the Holy Spirit. Practice relating to God next to you. For that is who the Holy Spirit is. The more you treat him as a real person, the more assurance you will have of the Father's guarantee - your salvation and life forever with him.

]]>Sun, 04 Oct 2020 00:26:23 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/another-look-at-gods-faithfulness

Take another look at God’s faithfulness in the following verses. He is really quite astounding. Keep Reading…

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

He is the God of peace. In these days filled with anxiety and uncertainty, He not only brings peace, but He is peace. You do not just need the soul-rest that He brings. You need Him. The closer you get to Him, the more peace you have.

He is the God who sanctifies you. He is actively making you holy - more like His Son, Jesus. God not only tells you to be holy (1 Peter 1:16), but He is actively doing this in your life. You might feel like you are floundering in your occupation or relationships. You might wrestle with purposelessness. But God is actively at work in your life - making you holy, keeping you blameless. He is making you more like Jesus.

God is coming back. He has not left you alone (the Holy Spirit is with you). And He never will. Jesus will personally come back to get you. God is reminding you that your current status in life is not the end of the story. So much more is coming. God has promised to come again and take you to heaven with him.

God calls you. He speaks personally to you. How can He do this? He created your ears, mind, and spirit to receive His call, to hear His voice. He is always speaking. Will you listen?
God is faithful. He always keeps His promises. He has never failed you. And He never will. You might feel unsure of yourself. You know your capacity to flip-flop under pressure. But God is steady at the wheel - consistently steering you toward good paths in all things (Romans 8:28).

God will do it. He not only has good intentions for you, but He does something about it. He will complete what He started in you (Philippians 1:6). You might not trust yourself, but trust Him. His faithfulness is not just a state of mind. No, He is on the move in your life, actively securing you, holding you, and speaking to you. 

Take some time to speak the words of these verses back to God in thanksgiving. They are truth and will transform you.

]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2020 02:03:46 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/possessed-by-god

Who owns you? Who's got the trademark on you? Keep Reading...

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

As humans we are tempted to think that we start things, own things, and control things. We tend to think that life begins and ends with us. "I am my own person," we say. But the Bible says something different.

"It is HE who made us, and we are HIS. We are HIS people, and the sheep of HIS pasture."

It is one thing to read this Scripture. It is another thing to lived out being possessed or owned by God. If he created us and owns us, then he has a right to our lives. He has a right to direct our coming and going. He has the right to provide and care for us. 

And who are we? What is our role? We are sheep. We were created to be led by him… to be guided into green pastures, to be protected from enemies. Sheep are not particularly smart, but they can be led.

Now that is a reason for celebrating. Those who have embraced their status as sheep can truly enter into God's presence with thanksgiving and praise. It is our fallen tendency to act like a god that weighs us down, that mutes the praise, and darkens our vision.

God owns you. But will you acknowledge that today? He wants you to respond as a sheep. He longs for your humility, as you say, "Lead me, guide me, and protect me. I will follow you, for you are my owner and my King." He desires your praise, as you declare, "You are my God, and you are good. Your love and your faithfulness endure forever."

]]>Sun, 05 Apr 2020 05:27:58 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/redeem-the-time

Does your life ever feel "on hold," like you're just waiting for a sense of normalcy, for the time of turbulence to be past? What should you do in the waiting? Redeem the time. Keep Reading...

​Isaiah 43:18-19 - Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

What the enemy would intend for evil, God wants to turn for the good (Rom. 8:28). In this time of isolation and anxiety, the enemy would want to breed a sense of paralysis among the church. There's nothing to do but wait, check the news, pray, check the news, wait, eat, wait, check the news, pray. This feeling of fatalism works slowly into our system, causing a spiritual apathy that steals our time away.

What is God doing in the midst of the waiting? He is making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. He is redeeming this time, and he invites you to partner with him. How can you redeem the time? Use it to create beauty. There are new creative expressions of beauty to come out of you in this time of waiting. New songs, new stories, new technologies, new ways to love and new ways to worship.

The creation of beauty is stirred up by gratefulness. So begin here. Instead of complaining about the waiting, thank the Lord for the time you have to explore new expressions of beauty. Let  gratitude propel you into fresh ideas of connecting with God and people.

God has always desired to create beauty with us. Unfortunately, we miss the beauty in the midst of packed schedules and "real" work to be done. Let this time not be wasted. Give God the beautiful creations he wants from your life. Don't waste any more time. Redeem it. 

]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2020 02:35:39 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/jesus-comes-close

In our days of social distancing (which is very important), we read about the God who comes close. He breaks through the barriers, opening himself up to the infection of our sin. Keep Reading...

​Philippians 2:6-8 - "[Jesus] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself...."

It is a wonder that God became man. For we humans have an infection among us far worse than viruses that circle our world today. And this infection called sin is something that we have all chosen as humans. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). No one has infected us. We have infected ourselves.

With this in mind, it is amazing that Jesus came into our infection-ridden world. And when he came, he did not stay at a distance. He came close. Jesus touched the blind man (Mark 8:23). He wrapped the children in his arms (Mark 10:16). He allowed John to lay in his lap (John 13:23). Jesus subjected himself to our attitudes, our sorrows, our sicknesses and our sin.

But he didn't stop there. Jesus "was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus actually took our disease (sin) on himself. As he took our sin and disease, we gained our healing and salvation.

There is no one like Jesus. There is no sacrifice that can be repeated that would take on our sickness, and in so doing, provide our healing. Thank Jesus today that he chose to come close to you. He is worthy of your trust and submission.

]]>Mon, 30 Mar 2020 23:46:10 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/face-the-sun

In these days when many are house-bound, the heaviness of waiting is very real. When can life start again? Actually, there is so much life, warmth and richness to be experienced today. Keep Reading…

​This morning as I looked outside my living room, I noticed solar panels covering the roofs of the houses around me. These panels were getting ready to soak up the sun that was just beginning its ascent over our neighborhood. Interestingly, all of the panels in our area are positioned in the same direction to soak up the maximum rays. They are not scattered whimsically over the rooftops.

And then I thought - of what use would a solar panel be that is sitting inside the garage? A pretty expensive piece of equipment doing nothing! What a waste. For a solar panel to maximize its potential, it needs two main things - the sun to rise and to be correctly positioned to receive its warming rays.

We cannot control the rising of the sun, but God can and does each day. For his mercies are new morning by morning (Lam. 3:23). In fact, God is called the Father of heavenly lights who is constantly pouring out his good and perfect gifts on us - like the warming rays of sunshine (James 1:17).

The one thing we can do is position ourselves to receive his good and perfect gifts. This happens in praise and thanksgiving. The overflow of “thank-you's" from our mouths aligns us to receive the richness of his warmth. So begin your session of thanksgiving even before the "sun" comes up. Get ready to receive his good gifts today. If you don’t get in position, you will effectively be a solar panel locked inside a garage.

The uses of a solar panel full of the sun's warmth are many - hot water, electricity, etc. Your usefulness to the Lord Jesus flows out of receiving his warmth in the first place. He has done his part - the sun has come up. His good and perfect gifts are flowing. Will you receive them? It’s time to get in position.

]]>Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:23:23 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/alertness-vs-assumption

The enemy of alertness is assumption. When we assume that we know best, when we fail to seek God's input, we blindly walk into the enemy's trap. Keep Reading...

​READ
Joshua 9:14-15 - The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

REFLECT
God was clear with his instructions to Israel. They were not to make a treaty with any of the surrounding nations. Why? God did not want the idols of these nations to infiltrate the Israelite community. There were to be a holy people - set apart to the one true God.

A neighboring nation, Gibeon, feared the power of Israel and her God. So they decided to play a trick on Israel and deceive them into making a treaty. Joshua and his leaders were not alert to this deception and made a very bad call. They agreed to a treaty and opened the door for the enemy and idolatry to live among them. How did this happen? Joshua assumed that he knew what to do. He did not inquire of the Lord.

Living off of assumption or resting in past experience brings a dullness into our spirits. Getting blindsided by the enemy comes when we assume we know what is best. Seeking the Lord's input happens only once in a while for "big" decisions. But, normally, we can just cruise on self-reliance. This makes us susceptible to walk right into the enemy's deception.

Alertness comes through active dependence on God. When independence dies, we have a real opportunity to navigate through the enemy's deceiving plans. This alertness is practiced. It doesn't come naturally. So, we must focus ourselves to stop, listen and respond to the Spirit - as opposed to only responding to the people or situations in front of us.

RESPOND
Have you been living in a state of assumption or alertness? Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit about this. Commit to the practice of listening and responding to Him in the midst of your everyday living.

]]>Sun, 16 Feb 2020 21:50:56 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/high-alert

Do you ever feel like you are blind to the enemy's attacks? You wonder why his pressure and temptations are so strong. Keep Reading...

​READ
1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

THINK ABOUT IT
We're used to sirens - red flashing lights and blaring noises. We see them on buildings. We hear them flying down the road. It is normal for us to be warned of a fire or break-in. We appreciate these warnings.

If you knew that a criminal was on the loose in your neighborhood, would you keep your doors unlocked and your alarm system deactivated? No, you would be on high alert. Did you realize that the enemy, Satan, is on the prowl? He is looking to harass, attack and tempt. Is your alarm system activated?

We are told to be self-controlled and alert. It takes self-control to stay in a place of alertness. In other words, self-control keeps the batteries active in your alarm system. A lack of self-control in specific areas of our lives will result in a dullness to the tactics of the enemy. We won't see him coming.

When our minds, emotions and bodies are under the control of the Holy Spirit, our spirits get sensitized to what is going in the spirit realm. We can recognize trouble from a mile away. If we are sensitized in our spirits, we can repel the roaring lion even before he gets close.

PRAY
So, how is your alarm system? Take a few moments to allow God to check your batteries. Ask him to scan areas of self-control in your life. If he reveals a lack of self-control, take time to repent (turn from sin) and commit to walking in self-control and alertness.

]]>Thu, 13 Feb 2020 08:54:30 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/alertness-in-prayer

Do you ever find yourself praying repetitious prayers... perhaps a bit religious sounding, perhaps a bit lifeless feeling? Look for keys to powerfully effective prayers here. Keep Reading...

​READ
Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

THINK ABOUT IT
There are keys we read about in Colossians 4:2 that will focus and sharpen our prayer lives. After all, God wants us to pray with power and effectiveness so that real change is accomplished.

DEVOTE - We are called to devote ourselves to prayer. This calls for dedication in our time, focus and energy to prayer. Will you devote, or set aside, time to be with God in prayer? Of course, we can pray on-the-go prayers all the time. But, devotion requires a commitment of time. Devotion also requires a focus of our energy. It's possible to waste 10 minutes of devoted time with passive praying. The prayers of devotion call for passion and an expenditure of energy.

KEEP ALERT - It's not just about the amount of time spent or the energy output. We need to know what to pray about. This is where the key of alertness comes in. To be alert means that we are watching and listening to what God is doing and saying before we pray. We need to take our cues from him. If we ask, and if we keep listening, he will prompt us (give us cues / ideas) about how to pray. He wants our spirits to stay in a position of alertness, which is readiness to listen and pray as he speaks.

GIVE THANKS - This can sound like a very obvious spiritual activity. But it is thanksgiving in prayer that brings the final breakthrough. We thank God for his victory, even before we see the final answer to prayer. We are praying in faith, thanking him for his character who always hears and answers. Prayers that lack faith (and real fire-power) will be shown through a lack of thanksgiving. Do not regard thanksgiving as an optional extra. It is vital to seeing power released through your prayers.

PRAY
Dear Jesus, I commit to set aside time and energy for prayer. I want to listen and follow You in prayer - not just pray out my ideas. Thank you for the gift of prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

]]>Wed, 12 Feb 2020 07:34:04 GMThttps://www.stepstudyteach.com/todays-step/watch-with-me

Why would Jesus ask his disciples to keep watch and pray with him in his deepest hour of need? How would their alertness and prayers help in that moment? Keep Reading...

​READ
Matthew 26:38 - He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
​
THINK ABOUT IT
Think of the humility of Jesus. At the most difficult period of his life - when he is about to be tried and crucified - when he is about to take on the sins of even his most trusted followers - he asks his them, "Will you keep watch with me?"

If Jesus was about to die for the sins of Peter, James and John, would he really need their watchfulness and their prayers at that moment? One would think that Jesus would just want to be alone. For he was about to do something that no other human could do - sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. Yet, Jesus called for his friends to watch with him.

Jesus chooses partnership with us even when it might slow him down - even when we might fall asleep and completely miss the importance of the moment. He still comes back and calls us to stay up with him, to watch with him, to carry his burden in prayer.

Is it possible that we miss the importance of the moment, that we fail to see what God is really doing in our day? When our eyes are fixed on our calling, our passion, and our burden, we easily miss what he is doing. The great thrill and mystery of the Christian life is that we get to partner with God in what he is doing. He has desires, passions and burdens to share with us - if we would only keep watch with him.

PRAY
Dear Jesus, I want to keep watch with you. I will push away the sleepiness to my spirit and keep my eyes and ears open to what you are doing. I want to carry your burden with you... to listen to your voice and pray your prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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