Think about for a moment….the most powerful offensive and defensive weapon known to man is not found in the launch codes to a nuclear warhead. The most powerful weapon is irrefutably, unequivocally and hands down, the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 highlights and confirms my disposition, “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

God’s Word is so powerful when the devil showed up in the wilderness to tempt Jesus, it was the Word of God that Jesus used to overcome the attack. Jesus said to him, “It is written . . .It is written . . . .It is written!” (Matthew 4:1-11).

The word of God is not only useful in counterattacks protection and defense, it’s also beneficial to our spiritual/caramel nourishment ( Heb 5:12-14), cleansing (Rom 12:2; Eph 5:26), guidance (Ps 119:105), strength/courage ( Joshua 1:9), fruitfulness (John 15:1-27), and victory (1 John 5:4).

Is it soaking in yet?

The known and unknown galaxies were created by the Word of God. John 1:1 of the NLT nailed it, “In the beginning the Word already existed [JESUS]. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Furthermore, Jesus the efficacy of Gods word in Luke 6:47-48, “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them . . . is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built”

If a hundred billion galaxies are born in the vapor of God’s breath [word], what other evidence do you actually need to fully embrace the empirical truth that God’s word is the most powerful offensive and defensive weapon inventoried in our spiritual and carnal artillery??

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#TGBTP

#TGBTH

Inevitably, at some point we all face circumstances that are unsettling and take us out of our comfort zones. Whether you’re facing a big life decision, a tough conversation with a good friend, or waiting on results from a COVID test, a peaceful mindset can help you find the strength, courage, and comfort you need to combat any and all uncertainty and restlessness.

When you’re ready to face these situations head on, it’s imperative to look to the Bible as a source for reserving peace. The Bible is stocked full of wise words and relative examples that can help ease anxiety—including Bible verses about healing, hope, and joy.

Jesus reminds us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Wow, Jesus made a clear distinction that His peace is not of this world, meaning it’s not a temporary fix. His peace is eternal and supernatural!

Paul’s insightful and often quoted passage found in Philippians 4:6-7 is our Rx to access this supernatural peace Jesus is referring to. Paul said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we live in reconciliation with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the peace of God will always calm our emotions, nerves and drive away worry, anxiety and confusion. God’s peace will undoubtedly and unwaveringly produce stability in both our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#TGBTH

#TGBTP

#TanscendingPeaceOfChrist

I think a little dose of reality helps to keep even the most pious person humble. Most people have the wrong perception of Christianity and church in general. Some believe both of which are made up of perfect people. Well, let me be the first to admit that’s not at all true. From the pastor to the janitor, everyone in the church is imperfect.

Let’s briefly examine the church experience:

You walk-in and you’re greeted with a smile (behind the mask) and then you’re offered to help yourself to some type of pleasantry. You began to look around and notice that everyone is happy and gleefully smiling (behind their masks). You then entered the sanctuary and are ushered to a seat where you wait until worship begins( that’s if you’re on time). The band sings harmoniously and the preacher delivers a eloquently and passionate message. On the ride home you start to think ain’t no way you could ever fit in……

Ok, let me be the second to tell you that it takes many hours of practice and preparation to successfully host one Sunday worship experience and all of that time and effort is intended to help folks like you and I understand that a perfect God loves imperfect people. Why else would God go to such great lengths??

Here’s another way to look at it, the church is a perfect institution made up of imperfect people. So if you’re the one I am writing to this morning and you think that your life isn’t perfect enough to fit into church more less Christianity than I got good news for you, neither am I!

I am far from perfect! I make mistakes, fall, stumble, and struggle. But, I’m God’s mess and the only cure for my mess is found in Jesus Christ. You see, the only cure for sin is Jesus and it doesn’t matter how big your mess is, the blood of Jesus covers it all!

Thankfully, God’s grace is bigger than my mess and through Jesus death, burial and resurrection I am free from any hint of condemnation (Romans 8:1).

With that said, the reason you see the happy, smiling (behind the mask) and chipper people at the church is because they know they’re God’s mess too!

The doors of the church are open…..is there at least one??

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

#BeStrong

#LightDrivesOutDarkness

#LoveDrivesOutHate

#MLKDay2021🖤

#TGBTG

#TGBTH

#TGBTP

I’ve read there is at least 169 verses in the Bible that refer to the ways God provides for us and Philippians 4:19 makes it plain: “My God will supply all your needs according to this riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

Think back for a moment and ask yourself, “When was the last time God failed to come through for you?” We’ve all heard it said, “God is is never late, He is never early, but He is always on time.” In context this often recited adage is true, but in reality we must recognize that God is not confined to time…we are!

After his conversion, the apostle Paul’s life was totally dedicated to Christ. However, his commitment to Christ didn’t make him bullet proof! Like you and me, Paul faced some serious trials and at times he surely thought his life was over. But God protected and cared for him. From a cold, dark, lonely prison cell, he wrote to the New Testament churches, promising the congregations that God would provide for their needs. The only condition to this promise was that they would give themselves completely to the Lord. This meant that they could not hold anything back—not their time, talent, treasure, and certainly not their personal devotion. Many times, we expect God to answer our prayers and meet our needs, but we want to give very little in return to Him.

Psalm 84:11 reminds us, “No good thing does God withhold from those who walk uprightly.” This passage of text carries a reminder that there is a part we play in God’s provision coming to fruition in our lives. We must walk uprightly.

When we read passages of text such as Galatians 1:15 and Jeremiah 1:5 it gives us assurance that God’s love and direction began even before conception. What a gift to know that God has been involved in our lives even before our lives began. His love for us is encompassed in His desire for our highest good. He is truly Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord-Who-Provides.

With that said, I know the stimulus checks has helped many families including my own, but let us not forget that God knows what we need even before we pray and His hands will continue to supply every need according to His glorious riches contained in Christ Jesus!

#BeStrong

#WontHeDoIt

#NoCapp

Quiet as it’s kept, chronic negative thinking, depression, anxiety, and similar disorders are on the rise all over the world. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults in the U.S. are affected, which is nearly 20 percent of the population. Of that number, many are professing Christians.

Hello somebody!!

The struggle against negative thinking is a battle for the mind. Apostle Paul tells believers what to think about: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Besides defining what thoughts should fill our minds, this passage of text implicitly teaches that we can control what we think about. When a negative thought comes, the thinker who has the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) has the ability to push it out of the mind and replace it with godly thoughts. This takes practice, but with persistence, it gets easier. Christians must think about what they’re thinking about and not allow their minds, other people or circumstances to have free rein. In our spiritual warfare, we’ve been given the helmet of salvation—spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:17) for mental protection.

The helmet of salvation protects us spiritually and carnally from the powerful blows of doubt from the devil, people and circumstances. Without this piece of defensive equipment, we leave ourselves exposed on the spiritual and carnal battlefield.

Friends, as long we live in a fearful, stressful world, negative thoughts will come. We have the option of either stamping out those thoughts or nurturing them. The good news is, negative thoughts can be replaced with positive ones, and the more that godly substitution takes place, the more peace and joy we can experience.

So, don’t let the ugly in others kill the beauty in you!

Hope should be the architect that shapes our future, not hurt or pain! The Hebrew word for hope is batach and it means trust, confidence, security, and being without care. We find this meaning lived out in Job 6:20; Psalm 16:9; Psalm 22:9; and Ecclesiastes 9:4.

The Greek word for hope is elpis and it’s definition is almost identical to the Hebrew definition. Therefore, I believe it would be safe to opine that biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full confidence.

This confirmation is found in Hebrews 11. This chapter has been dubbed the “Hall of Faith” or the “Faith Hall of Fame” and verse one says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Justifiably, faith and hope are running mates and both terms represents confidence and assurance. Fact is, these two terms are inseparable and you can’t have one without the other and together they empower us to cast out all forms of doubt and fear. Together these two powerful words build the footing upon which we base our lives, believing that God always delivers on His promises.

On a side bar, did you know as believers we are also called to give an answer for the hope that is within us to any who would ask? I Peter 3:15 confirms, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..”

With that said, biblical hope is far from wishful thinking. It is a reality and not a feeling and combine with faith in God it carries no doubt. Hope is the fundamental component of life and without it, life literally loses it footing.

Friends, despite the darkness surrounding our nation, don’t ever forget that biblical hope produces joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit and Paul confirms this fact in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness!

#H.old

#O.n

#P.ain

#E.nds

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

I Peter 5:8-11, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”