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

#TGBTG

#Encourage

#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

How many times have you started a conversation with a family member, friend, or co-worker and when the discussion was over all parties walked away feeling empty, exhausted and unaccomplished?

In most cases, we want to be “right” and it’s our pride that impedes civility, clarity and unity. Unfortunately, we unintentionally and sometimes intentionally lose sight of our ethic and moral compasses.

When we become overtly obsessed on whether we are “right” or “wrong” we create more of a problem than being just wrong, because we often repudiate what really matters. The meanings of our exchanges with others, and the feelings that an action has produced in us, are sometimes more important than our ethic and moral codes.

So why is it so important to be “right”?

It is human nature to want to be “right”. We want to exist and be visible for our other half. The problem is that being “right” becomes more important than being considerate, meaningful and compassionate. Often we do not realize it; we just get “stuck” (or one of the two of us gives up) and the discussion does not lead anywhere. Yet, quietly the doubts start inside us and we lose, bit by bit, contact with our real self.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” In the OT, Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 10:12, “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.”

The point of all discussions is to remain objective. We shouldn’t be compelled to “win” the argument or “feel right”; it’s not a competition!We should aspire mutual understanding and we should always walk away from a conversational engagement knowing each party was at a bare minimum heard and understood.

Paul endorsed this methodology in Romans 4:19. He said, “So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” We must be cognizant and accountable of not only what we say, but how we say it. Our word choices, attitudes and demeanor should always build up the hearers in faith, holiness, clarity, civility, and unity!

#BeStrong

God knows, listens and moves whenever we’re in need, pray and believe.

In Philippians 4:19 Paul confirms, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

In 1 John 5:15 we are reminded, “And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Undoubtedly, God listens to our prayers, but what moves God to action? Contrary to what most people think, it isn’t prayer. Prayer is not to instruct God, or inform God, or impress God. Prayer moves you and me, however it is authentic faith that moves God’s hand. Faith is not believing that God can, rather it’s knowing that He will! Come here Centurion officer.

In Matthew 8:8 we hear those famous words, “….. just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, He said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel (v10)! The centurion officer’s faith not only amazed Jesus, it moved Him. In verse 13 Jesus responded to his faithful plea, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.”

I don’t know who I am speaking to today, but God is telling me to tell you that He knows, He’s listening and He’s moving in every circumstance in your life today!

A move of God will typically follow a move of Faith!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#Encourage

#Empower

#Inspire