“New Year — Same God, New Surrender”

Beloved, every New Year comes with excitement, goals, and fresh expectations. We buy new planners, make new promises, and hope for different outcomes. But here’s the real question:

So it’s the New Year… now what?

Let’s be clear, a new year by itself doesn’t change anything. God changes things. And He doesn’t start with our schedules — He starts with our hearts.

The Old Testament reminds us where true direction begins. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” We don’t ask God to bless our plans — we surrender our plans and let Him shape them.

The New Testament shows us the same truth. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” You see, when God comes first, everything else finds its rightful place.

So Beloved, the best New Year resolution is not “try harder,” but trust deeper. Not “do more,” but surrender more. Not “create a new life,” but let Christ lead your life. Because when God is first, the year becomes more than a date change — it becomes a life change.

Pray with me: Father God, as I step into this New Year, I give You more than my goals — I give You my heart. Lead my steps, shape my desires, and help me seek You first in everything I do — in Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#NewSurrender

“The Hands That Bled For You”

Beloved, never forget this unshakable truth: the hands that were pierced for you on Calvary are the very same hands holding you right now. The hands that stretched wide on the cross didn’t stop working when Jesus said, “It is finished.” They carried your salvation then—and they carry your life now.

In the Old Testament, the Lord speaks tenderly through Isaiah 41:10 and the prophet said, “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Long before Jesus walked the earth, God was already promising that His hand—strong, steady, and sovereign—would hold His people.

Then in the New Testament, Yeshua Himself makes it even more personal. In John 10:28, the Messiah declared “No one will snatch them out of My hand.” Beloved, your earthly confidence is not in your grip on God but in God’s spiritual grip on you. The same hands that bled for you are the hands that defend you, guide you, carry you, and refuse to let you go.

So when fear rises, when discouragement whispers, or when life feels unsteady, remember this: the crucified hands are still the comforting hands. The hands that saved you are the hands that sustain you.

Pray with me: Father God, thank You for loving me enough to stretch out Your hands on the cross for my salvation. Help me rest in the truth that those same hands hold me today. When I feel weak, remind me that Your grip is unbreakable. Teach me to trust the hands that were wounded for me and now carry me every moment. In Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen and Amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#TheHandsThatSaves

“Change Your Mind, Change Your Life”

Beloved, every day we are being shaped by something. The voices we listen to, the culture we absorb, and the thoughts we entertain — they all form how we see God, ourselves, and the world. The danger is this: the world trains us to think in fear, self-preservation, pride, and comparison. But God calls us to think differently — to exchange worldly thinking for Word-of-God thinking.

The Old Testament reminds us of this calling. Isaiah 55:8–9 says, “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.” God is inviting us upward — out of small thinking, fickle/fearful thinking, and flesh-driven thinking — into thoughts shaped by His truth.

The New Testament tells us how that shift happens. Paul writes in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And again in Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” To renew your mind means to replace worldly thinking with godly thinking. Transformation doesn’t start with circumstances — it starts with thinking. We don’t just stop worldly thoughts; we replace them with God’s Word:

• Worry is replaced with promises.
• Pride is replaced with humility.
• Anger is replaced with grace.
• Fear is replaced with faith.

So Beloved, don’t just ask God to change your situation — ask Him to change your thinking. Take off the world’s mindset, and put on the mind of Christ.

Pray with me: Father God, show me where I have allowed worldly thinking to shape my heart. Teach me to see through Your Word, not my emotions. Renew my mind daily, and help me walk in thoughts that honor You — in Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#RenewingYourMind

“Jesus Is the Gift”

Beloved, Jesus is the gift. Not a symbol, not a season, not a tradition—but the gift. Before blessings were counted, before prayers were answered, before peace was restored, God gave Himself. Everything else we receive flows from that one act of love. When we lose sight of the gift, we start chasing substitutes—things that promise fulfillment but cannot sustain it. But when Jesus is the center, nothing else has to compete.

The Old Testament foretold this gift long before it arrived. In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet Isaiah declared, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Notice the language—given. Jesus was not earned, negotiated, or deserved. He was given freely, intentionally, and sacrificially. God knew humanity’s deepest need was not more rules or rituals, but redemption wrapped in relationship.

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of that promise. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Jesus cannot be fully explained because grace cannot be measured. He is forgiveness for the broken, hope for the weary, and salvation for the lost. When God gave Jesus, He gave everything heaven had to offer.

So Beloved, don’t overlook the gift by searching for what only the Giver can provide. Jesus is not just the beginning of faith—He is the substance of it. He is enough when answers are delayed, when seasons are difficult, and when life feels uncertain. Every good thing flows from Him, and nothing compares to Him.

Pray with me: Father God, thank You for the gift of Jesus. Help me never take lightly what heaven gave so freely. Teach me to treasure Christ above all else and to live from the grace He provides. In Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen and Amen.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#JesusIsThePrize

“The Struggle Is Real”

Beloved, the struggle is a sign of obedience. If you were walking away from God, there would be no tension. If you were fully surrendered to the flesh, there would be no resistance. Struggle does not mean failure—it often means you are choosing God in the middle of opposition. The pull you feel is evidence that your spirit is alive and responding to truth. Obedience rarely feels comfortable, but it always produces growth.

The Old Testament gives us a powerful picture of this truth. Moses records in Exodus 23:22, “If you listen carefully to what He says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.” Obedience invites God into the conflict. When you choose His way, resistance often increases—not because you are wrong, but because you are aligned. The struggle is not punishment; it is confirmation that you are walking in step with God’s instruction.

The New Testament echoes this reality. The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other.” That conflict is the struggle you feel. It is not a sign that God has left you—it is proof that His Spirit is actively working within you. If there were no obedience, there would be no battle.

So Beloved, don’t misinterpret the struggle. Don’t retreat just because it’s hard. Lean in. Stay obedient. The resistance you feel today is shaping the strength you’ll walk in tomorrow. God is doing something in you that comfort could never accomplish.

Pray with me: Father God, help me recognize the struggle as evidence of obedience, not failure. Strengthen me to stand firm when resistance rises and to trust You when the path feels difficult. Teach me to remain faithful in the tension, knowing You are working through it. In Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen and Amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GodIsInTheStruggle

Be Strong | J1:9 – Weekly Devotionals for Courage, Purpose, and Kingdom Assignment.

Life has a way of testing our strength long before we feel ready. Trials come without warning. Storms rise without apology. Loss, disappointment, fear, doubt, and fatigue try to make their home in our hearts. And yet, in the middle of all of it, God continues to whisper the same powerful command He gave Joshua: “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

This book was born out of that command.

For years, I carried the weight of responsibilities—family, leadership, ministry, and the daily work of serving people with excellence. But after walking through some of life’s deepest valleys, including the passing of my twin brother Noel and the reshaping of my own identity through grief, God began stirring something new in my spirit. Strength is not a personality trait. Strength is a calling. Strength is a posture. Strength is a divine response to a God-given assignment.

Be Strong | J1:9 was written to speak life into that assignment.

These 60 weekly devotionals are not meant to be rushed. They are meant to be lived. Each reflection invites you to slow down, breathe, and hear God’s voice in practical, real-world moments—from the jobsite to the kitchen table, from the prayer closet to the places where leadership and service demand more from you than you think you have to give.

Every entry in this book follows one simple truth:

God does not expect perfection—He expects obedience. And obedience opens the door to strength that cannot be shaken.

In these pages, you will find stories, scriptures, leadership principles, and transparent moments from my own journey. You will be invited to see yourself not through the lens of fear or failure, but through the eyes of the God who called you, equipped you, and assigned you to influence the world around you. Whether you lead a home, a team, a ministry, or an entire organization, the charge of Joshua 1:9 remains the same for you today:

Be strong. Be courageous. God is with you.

My prayer is that this book becomes a companion for your spiritual walk, a spark for your leadership, and a reminder that strength is already inside you—placed there by the One who never leaves, never quits, and never stops working on your behalf.

Let’s walk this journey together.

Let’s grow together.

Let’s be strong together.

In Jesus name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen and Amen!

Click the link to find out more: https://a.co/d/90gtCkl

“God Can Realign and repurpose Your Plans”

Beloved, sometimes life doesn’t go the way we planned—and that’s not always a setback. Often, it’s God stepping in to realign our direction. He can realign your plans, reshape your desires, and repurpose your gifts for His glory. What feels like a detour is often divine redirection. God never wastes a season; He refines us in each one. The opportunities that didn’t work out and the doors that didn’t open were never meant to define you—they were meant to prepare you.

In the Old Testament, Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Solomon’s words teach us that making plans isn’t wrong—but they must be surrendered. God’s sovereignty is not limited by our schedules. He sees the road ahead and gently redirects our steps when our plans drift from His purpose. What we call interruption, God calls alignment.

And in the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” This scripture is the foundation of my book, The 3:23 Solution: Service Is What We Do, Experience Is How We Make them Feel. Paul reminds us that purpose is not found in position—it’s found in motive. When we serve with excellence and integrity, we honor God through our work. Whatever you do, wherever you serve, do it as if the Lord Himself signed your paycheck. That’s where fulfillment lives.

So Beloved, if life looks different than what you imagined, don’t lose faith. God may be repurposing your gifts for a new assignment. The work you’re doing now may be training you for what’s next. His plan is better, His timing is perfect, and His glory is always the goal.

Pray with me:

Father God, thank You for being the Author of my life. When my plans fall apart, remind me that Yours are never broken. Realign my direction, reshape my desires, and repurpose my gifts to bring You glory. Whatever I do, may I do it with excellence and humility, as unto You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, believe, receive, and praise. Amen.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GodCanRealignPlans

“The Love of God Has Never Left You”

Beloved, the love of God has never left you — not even for a single second. Even in the moments when you felt forgotten, overlooked, or unworthy, His love remained constant. Our feelings may shift, but God’s love is unwavering. He does not withdraw His affection when we struggle, doubt, or fall short. His love holds, His love keeps, and His love carries.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Joel declares in Joel 2:13: “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Joel was speaking to a people who feared they had drifted too far. Yet his message was clear: God’s love doesn’t break when we do. His compassion doesn’t fail when we stumble. His arms remain open because His love is covenant love — steady, strong, unchanging.

And in the New Testament, the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:38–39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Paul lists every possible force — earthly, spiritual, visible, invisible — and then declares with authority: None of it can pull you out of God’s love.

So Beloved, take heart and be strong. You have never lived one second unloved. Not one tear, one trial, or one lonely night has escaped His sight. When you wandered, His love followed. When you broke, His love held you together. When you doubted, His love remained faithful. God has never left you — not even for a single breath.

Pray with me: Father God, thank You for Your unfailing love — a love that has never let me go. Remind me daily that I am held, seen, and cherished by You. Draw me deeper into Your compassion, and help me walk with confidence in the truth that Your love is constant and unbreakable. In Jesus’ name, we pray, believe, receive, and praise. Amen and Amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GodLovesYou

“When Correction Is Rejected”

Beloved, Scripture gives us wisdom not only on how to love people, but also on how to protect peace and truth. The apostle Paul writes in Titus 3:10, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” This is not a call to harshness—it is a call to discernment. God values unity, order, and spiritual health, and He knows that division, when left unchecked, spreads quickly and deeply.

This principle is not new. The wisdom of the Old Testament echoes it clearly. King Solomon writes in Proverbs 9:8, “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.” Solomon reminds us that correction reveals the heart of the person receiving it. Those who desire growth will respond with humility. Those committed to disruption will respond with resistance. The difference is not the correction—it is the posture of the heart.

Paul understood that some people are not confused; they are convinced. The first warning is grace. The second warning is patience. But after that, continued engagement can become unhealthy and unproductive. Boundaries are not unloving—they are biblical. Walking away is not abandonment; it is often obedience. God does not require you to remain entangled with those who consistently reject truth, resist accountability, or sow division.

So Beloved, do not confuse endurance with wisdom. Speak truth with love, correct with humility, and guard your heart with discernment. You are not responsible for someone else’s refusal to change. Your responsibility is obedience. Trust that God can do more with separation than you ever could with striving.

Pray with me: Father God, give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to step back. Help me correct in love, set boundaries in truth, and walk in obedience without guilt or fear. Protect my heart from division and my spirit from bitterness. In Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen and Amen.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GuardYourHeart

“You Can’t Out-Sin Grace”

Beloved, you can’t out-sin grace. No matter how far you’ve wandered, how many times you’ve fallen, or how heavy the weight of guilt feels, grace is still greater. Shame will tell you that you’ve gone too far and stayed too long, but grace reminds you that God’s mercy reached the cross long before your failure showed up. Grace does not excuse sin—it overcomes it. It was never surprised by your weakness, and it is not exhausted by your mistakes.

In Isaiah 1:18, the prophet Isaiah speaks to this in the Old Testament when he declares, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” This is not denial—it is divine cleansing. God does not ignore sin; He removes it. He does not label you by your past; He redeems you for your future. Every call to repentance is proof that restoration is still possible.

In Romans 5:20, the apostle Paul reinforces this truth in the New Testament when he writes, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Grace is not fragile. It is not defeated by repetition or failure. But grace is not meant to be delayed. Paul reminds us that grace invites transformation, not procrastination. Turning to Jesus is not about fear of judgment—it is about freedom from bondage.

So Beloved, don’t wait. Don’t reason with guilt or hide behind shame. Turn to Jesus while there is still time. Grace is available, mercy is active, and forgiveness is closer than you think. The cross paid the price. The resurrection secured the victory. Grace is not a license to sin, but the gateway to repentance and salvation.

Pray with me: Father God, thank You that Your grace is greater than my sin and stronger than my failures. I turn to You today with humility and trust. Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, and lead me in truth. I receive Your mercy and choose life in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen and Amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#Grace>Sin