Spiritual Ascension requires intentional preparation

 

These days, I realize that the Lord's coming is getting closer every day I wake up; every month that goes by brings him closer; and every year that I pass over brings him even closer. I mention this to encourage you not to be misled and convinced by the things and methods of this world. Darkness is unable to understand light. The awakening that followed that insight is the principle of preparation; giving God priority is, in my opinion, the most crucial aspect of the process. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (St. Matthew 6:33) I hope and pray that we will be forced to put God first. We will be more passionate about God in 2024, and we will discipline our mortal bodies to follow the concepts that will serve as the foundation for ascension in all spheres of our spiritual lives.

 We must work to develop a close relationship with God as followers of Christ. These days, I've been analyzing a lot in the kingdom of God, and one of the things I've found is that we frequently let a lot of things come before our connection with God. I eventually realized that if we let the devil see this, he will drag you into such a dark place that you really won't recognize yourself. Our enemy's schemes and the world's algorithms are designed to prevent us from giving our prayers, supplications, thanksgiving, fasting, reading the Bible, and meditation the priority they deserve. As believers, we cannot forget these needs in the midst of everything else going on in our lives. "Where have you come from?" said the LORD to Satan. "From roaming through the earth," he replied, "and walking back and forth in it." (Job 1:7 KJV) Since the beginning of time, our enemy has been roaming the globe. He is aware of earthly patterns and is only interested in bringing oppression to God's people. He is waiting for you to become irresponsible in your connection with God. I say this with conviction because I know that your carelessness in your connection with God will have severe consequences. For this reason, I've reminded you of a sacred passage. “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV) I exhort the generation I represent to remain sober; we cannot become sidetracked; we must apply wisdom to our lives and seek God's will in everything; occasionally, seemingly good things are devious schemes of the evil kingdom intended to undermine one's spiritual foundation. I advise you to address the issues that are preventing you from working for God; after all, our connection with God and matters pertaining to the kingdom ought to take precedence in our lives. Work and education are very important, but we must remember the most crucial thing: even though they will exhaust you, don't let that be the reason you lack spiritual discipline. I urge those of you who are really honest with yourselves to exercise the same discipline when spending time with God that you do when attending work or school, regardless of the circumstances. To sum up, I implore you all to examine yourself and reconsider how you view the spiritual life. My hope is that this year will be one in which we give our time to God and the matters of the kingdom of God top priority. I have included five scriptures below in the hopes that they will encourage those who wish to have a closer relationship with God.

• “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (St. Matthew 6:33 KJV)

 

• “[1] He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence.” (Psalms 91:1-3 KJV)

 

• “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

 

• “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

 

• “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (St. Mark 8:36 KJV)