It’s time for every Christian to start using their spiritual gifts and it doesn’t matter how big or small your gift is— every gift is needed to propel the weight of the gospel.

God has given us spiritual gifts for many purposes. Ultimately, all of these gifts have been provided to equip us to glorify God. The gifts of the Spirit were given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect [complete, mature] man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ . . . speaking the truth in love, [that we] may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:12–13, 15).

Jesus is our perfect example; He exemplified all the spiritual gifts through the words He spoke and the actions He carried out. Since Jesus is now at the right hand of God the Father, the Holy Spirit is the primary manifestation of the presence of God on the earth. Thus our heavenly Father distributes the gifts of the Spirit among the members of His Body, so believers now glorify God through those gifts.

So what’s all the fuss and why do Many Christians not pursue or hoard their spiritual gifts? Topically speaking, perhaps many Christians don’t know what a spiritual gift is, they don’t know what a spiritual gift is not, or they don’t know what their spiritual gift is. If one of these reasons is true to you, I invite you to pray about it and trust me, God will reveal it you. Here’s on small hint in discovering your gift; your misery is your ministry.

As mentioned, it’s the Holy Spirit’s jobs to distribute the gifts and it’s out responsibility to pursue using those gifts. Jesus unapologetically admonished all of us to produce fruit. He said in John 15:2, “He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

Think about, how strong does your muscles become if you never exercise them. Beloved, I beg you not to allow fear and stature grapple your gifts. You don’t have to be a Pastor, deacon, or lead worship. No matter the size of Messure of influence, your gift is just as important!!

Think about it; if you’re not pursuing spiritual gifts, you’re handicapping yourself and the Body of Christ. I challenge you to figure out what’s holding you back so you can begin moving forward and don’t let the devil, fear, or people stop you! The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few (Matt 9:37)!! The body of Christ needs you!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#Encourage

#Empower

#Inspire

#YouHaveAGiftToPursue

Charles Spurgeon said, “True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that — it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth”

Do I really need to remind you about the power of prayer? In Matthew 18:18-20, Jesus tells us about the power of prayer when he said, “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Beloved of God, the power of prayer isn’t in the words you utter. It’s not about what you pray or even how you pray. Prayer can be defined as talking to God, but it is much more than that. Prayer is an act of worship that glorifies God and reinforces our need for Him. Through living a life of prayer, we communicate with the very source of and purpose for our existence.

I heard it said, “You better pray like you’re the third donkey trying board Noah’s Ark.” Ok, all jokes aside, God authentically invites, encourages, and desires for all of us to talk to him. We are invited to come to Him by faith, (James 1:5), with persistence (Luke 18:1), with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6), within His will (Matthew 6:10), and from a heart that is right with God (James 5:16).

My prayer for anyone who reads this message today is that with an open and humble heart communicate to God; tell Him everything and let Him in on what He already knows. 1 John 5:14-15 inspires and encourages us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him” (according to His will).

Jesus is at the prayer register; are you ready to tender your request(s)?

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#Encourage

#Empower

#Inspire

There is no need to debate; arrogance is in direct opposition to godliness because it exalts self above all, and especially, above God.

The story of King Nebuchadnezzar is one example of pride bringing a person low. When Nebuchadnezzar took credit for building his kingdom on his own, he was banished to the wilderness by God, living like an animal, and it wasn’t until he gave God the credit due Him that he was restored to his kingdom, saying: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37; Daniel 4:28-37).

Love is the opposite of arrogance because it exalts others above self. The life of Jesus exemplifies this. He came to serve and to give His life for others. Jesus told His disciples, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42–45).

Unquestionably, arrogance is clearly a sin, however I pray that we all remember that we can be strong, kind, bold, humble and proud without being arrogant or prideful (Prov 16:18). Our confidence comes from God, which means we cannot exalt ourselves above Him, as He is the source of all things good in our lives. “‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:17–18).

C.S. Lewis wrote, “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#Encourage

#Empower

#Inspire

Real quick, what’s the difference between running the race with the world versus with God? In short, when your run with the world it’s called a race (aka) rat race, but when you run with God it’s called grace (aka) amazing grace!

The writer of Hebrews encouraged us to enduringly run our race with God and to keep our eyes fixed on the One who crushed the race we call life.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

My brothers and sisters, as many of you know; life is hard and it’s even harder when we try to live a part from God! Jesus said in John 15:5, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

If you have been running with the world I personally encourage you to run with God and to go where He says go. Do what He says to do. I promise you that with God you will never lose! You can run with God boldly and confidently because His ways always produces life, purpose, peace, endurance, and provision which is how we define amazing grace!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#Encourage

#Empower

#Inspire

#AmazingGrace

Sometimes the only thing you can do in certain circumstances is wait or (aka) be patient, but waiting is often extremely uncomfortable. If that’s you today, I got some good news for you!

When you look at biblical scriptures there are several reminders that encourages to be patient. Make note, God doesn’t operate in time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years), rather He functions in His appointed time (aka) seasons.

With that being said, whenever your battling with impatience you have to dive into the scripture.

In the ever popular Psalm 46:10, David reminds us when we are at wits end to, “Be still and know that God is God” and Solomon endorses this truth in Ecclesiastes 7:8, “The end of something is better than its beginning. Patience is better than pride.”

In Galatians 5:22-23 we learn the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Patience is the 3rd of 9 fruits (or forbearance) and it means to possess the ability to endure difficult circumstances. Patience will also involve perseverance in the face of delay (waiting or tarrying); tolerance of provocation without responding in disrespect/anger; or forbearance when under strain; or duress especially when faced with longer-term difficulties.

I hope that helped! Now, before I close this short devotional, I invite you to re-read paragraph 2 and remember that God operates outside of time and even more important than that, God is faithful, God will never lie, and God will never fail! The God on the mountain is the same God in the valley and if God brought you to it; He will at the appointed time (season) see you through it!! Everything will always fall into it’s proper place!

#BeStrong

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#Empower

#Inspire

#BePatient

In Isaiah 61:3 we are introduced to a marvelous and benevolent exchange process. The word of God reads, “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”

As many of you know, life is filled with choices. Sometimes the choices we make line up with God’s will, plan and purpose, but there are times when the choice(s) we made didn’t even come close to lining up with one letter of God’s word!

These prodigal driven choices creates “ashes” like grief in the deepest pockets of our souls, where no one but God can really see.

In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) we learn of a beautiful “comeback” story of a young man who went from riches to rags and then from rags back to riches.

In Luke 15:16-17 we find the the prodigal (lost) son ‘starving like Marvin’, but before he took a bite of the decadent fruit (pods) prepared for swine he decided to opt-out and to return home. Now, let’s not fit it twisted; it wasn’t his empty stomach that led him back to his father’s house, it is was repented heart.

Upon his return home, in exchange for his bad choices (ashes) his loving and forgiving father figuratively gave him a crown of beauty.

Brothers and sisters, there’s beauty and greatness behind every mark of darkness. Ashes eventually blow away, they don’t stay forever, but God’s greatness and glory shines forever through every broken place, bad choice and flaw we’ve struggled through.

Our only hope is in Jesus. He conquered death. He lives forever. He reigns in glory. And we have victory in Him.

If this message is speaking to the core of your spirit, today is the day you get up and head back home to our Father’s house where there is a crown of beauty awaiting—straight out of your ashes!!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#Encourage

#Empower

#Inspire