It’s important to recognize that everyone experiences difficult seasona in their lives, and it’s okay to not feel okay sometimes. It’s important to acknowledge and accept our emotions, rather than suppressing them or pretending everything is fine. By doing so, we can take steps to address our issues and work towards feeling better. Seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can also be helpful. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to ask for help when we need it.

The Apostle Paul, illustrated this often neglected principle when he tells of a man who was caught up to the third heaven and saw and heard indescribable things. This man was remarkably privileged, and it seems apparent in the context that Paul is talking about himself. He adds that, because of the greatness of the revelations he was given, he was also given a thorn in his flesh that would keep him from exalting himself (2 Corinthians 12:7). While Paul tells us very little about the nature of this “thorn” (what he also refers to as a messenger from Satan), he makes clear that its purpose was to help ensure his humility. Paul pleaded with God three times to remove the encumbrance and God repeatedly said no to Paul’s requests. God’s response to Paul is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Sometimes God uses our difficulties to bring us to the point of humility, submission, and contentment. However, this is where and when God deposits His perfecting power! Hence my point, it’s ok not to be ok because God’s power is at work in every uncomfortable and difficult season.

Additionally and lastly, Paul illustrated this same concept in Philippians 4:11–13. He explained that he had learned how to be content in any circumstance no matter how severe. During seasons of incredible highs and also defeating lows, Paul discovered that contentment doesn’t come from circumstances—contentment comes from recognizing that we can do whatever God intends for us to do through Christ who strengthens us. God is so gracious to provide strength (power) when it is needed so that we can find our identity, our confidence, humility, and our contentment in Him. This is what God meant when He said that His grace is sufficient—it is all we need.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#itsokaytonotbeokay

I wanted to take a few moments to remind you that you are stronger than you think. God commanded us in Joshua 1:9 to, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Oftentimes, difficulties, challenges, and/or obstacles in life makes us feel overwhelmed and doubt our ability to overcome them. But I want you to know that you always have God on your side and He has given you the inner strength, pace, wisdom, patience, and resilience to face any challenge that comes your way.

Here’s the deal, even if you don’t feel strong right now, remember that strength is not just about physical ability. It’s about trusting that God has given you the ability through the Holy Spirit to persevere in the face of adversity to keep going when things get tough, and to believe in yourself even when others don’t. James 1:2-4 confirms, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

So, don’t underestimate God, yourself, or your God given abilities. You have the power within you to overcome any obstacle and to achieve your goals. Trust God, be strong, believe in yourself, stay focused on your goals, and keep moving forward, and always remember your greatest blessing is always in front of you so be bless on purpose!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GodIsWithYou

Prayer is one thing we don’t need Wi-Fi connection, cellular service, or a mail courier to send. We have an uninterrupted direct line to the Father and He is open 24/7!

My brothers and sisters, I encourage you in good and bad times, talk to God. Approach Him as you would a family member or friend and begin to tell him your situation. God already knows your circumstances and all He wants is to hear from you!

If the pain is too painful and you can’t find the words to speak, the Holy Spirit within you will intercede for you. Roman’s 8:26 says, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”

Trust me there is nothing too hard for God to do. He will come through even if it’s not how you wanted Him to. Humbly open your heart, talk to Him, and remember you are never alone in the battle!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#prayerchangesthings

David said in Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Much like anything decision we make in life, praising God is always a choice. Even during difficult seasons, we can choose to praise God or we can choose to allow fear and worry to control our hearts and minds, or we can choose to praise the Lord and confess that He is in control.

One of the first biblical scripture my beloved twin brother broke down and helped me commit to memory was Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 and it reads, “Consider the work of God: who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after Him.”

Solomon had his share of challenges but much like his daddy David, he too found that lifting his voice of praise to God amid difficult times was not always easy, but it was the only viable choice to make (Psalm 138:1).

My brothers and sisters, when we choose to praise the Lord even in hard times, at least three things happen: praise will shift our focus from ourselves to God (Psalm 42:21), praise will remind us that God is in control (Isaiah 41:10), and praise will become confession (release) of our dependence on God (Pslam 56:3-4).

I get it, praising God in the heat of the battle may not seem natural, and you may feel uncomfortable, but go ahead and praise God. Don’t fake it, be honest. God already knows your heart, so if you don’t feel like praising Him, tell Him, but praise Him anyway.

After you made the decision to praise Him anyway, verbalize your praise. Praise is meant to be heard. HALLELUJAH!! Don’t praise Him silently, praise Him openly and verbally. There is something powerful about hearing your own voice praise and worship the Lord.

Still not there yet? Well, I invite you to think back at God’s work in your life in the past and if nothing else praise Him for always coming through in the nick of time! You see, part of praise is reviewing or like Solomon stated, ‘consider’ God’s faithfulness in the past. As you review His goodness and provision in the past, you will find new strength to face the problems of today.

Again, I beseech (encourage) you to fill your life with praise to the Lord and I pray that in the difficult times of life that you will choose to lift your voice in praise because God doesn’t deserve anything less!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#praiseandworship

God is the true source for clarity, wisdom, truth, and understanding! I wholeheartedly believe there is only one source of truth and Jesus confirms this belief in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to the Father accept by Me.”

Now, in John 8:32 Jesus said, “We will know the truth and the trust will set us free.” I don’t know what your interpretation and/or take is on this particular passage of text, but many Christians take this verse to mean the truth will set us free from the trials, tribulations, and anti-Christian bias of the world. At the same time, a lot of unbelievers take this verse to mean the truth—as they see it—will set them free from the restrictive rules of Christianity. But, both perspectives are incorrect. When Jesus said the truth will set us free, He meant God’s Word will set us free from the destructive clutches of sin. He meant the truth as explained in His Word would free us from the web or snare of temptation spun by Satan.

At the end of the day, God’s Word (The Holy Bible) is the truth in all situations and on all occasions. Undoubtedly, to walk in truth is to walk in accordance with God’s Word. It does not matter if the Word of God advances our personal agenda, accords with our desires, or supports our point of view. God’s word (John 1:1) is the truth and anything that runs counter to its teaching and/or principles is fake news!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#thewaythetruththelife

As Christians, we inherently believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ, as it is prophesied in the Bible. The book of Revelation describes Jesus’ return as a glorious event, where He comes with power and great glory to establish His eternal Kingdom on earth.

Though we sometimes fail, as faithful believers, we are encouraged to live in anticipation of Jesus’ return. In Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus Himself says, “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Living in anticipation of Jesus’ return means living a life that honors God, obeying His commandments, and sharing the good news of the Gospel with a many people as you can. It also means being vigilant and prepared, always watching for signs of Christ’s return and being ready to meet Him when He comes.

To my fellow brothers and sisters, the second coming of Jesus is the central tenet of our beloved faith, and as believers we are encouraged to live in anticipation of this glorioys event. That being said, let us never forget that Jesus was born a baby, He preached as a child, was killed as a man, He arose as a Victor, and He is coming back as King!

I pray that (though at times we fail) we all consistently and faithfully strive to live a life that honors God, obeys His commandments, and share the good news of the Gospel with others, as we wait for the glorious return of our King, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#JesusIsComingBack

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 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. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are My true disciples. This brings great glory to My Father” John 15:1-8

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#JesusIsTheTrueVine

There is no love greater than divine love from the Creator of the Universe (John 15:13). There is nothing like Divine Therapy to heal your heart, mind, spirit, and soul. Nobody can love us like God loves us and I think that’s why at times we feel so unloved and unwanted. We yearn for God’s love but we don’t recognize Him. We try to experience His love from people, possessions, and pleasures but nothing measures up…nothing truly satisfies. So we’re left constantly battling feelings of loneliness, unworthiness, and unlovability.

If that’s you today, I want to remind you that God’s love for you is boundless and nothing could ever separate you from His love(Romans 8:38). People may fail to love us the way we want them to love us, but God gives us more than what we could ever ask or imagine according to the glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:20).

The reality is no one will ever care and love us like Jesus. It was Jesus that died and rose from the grave for our sins and on yesterday nearly 2 billion people celebrated the mere fact that we serve a Risen Savior.

In Christ, we will always be qualified to receive that agape love despite our imperfections and failures. Therefore, I encourage you (if you hadn’t already) to truly open our heart and receive His love today and I guarantee you that your life will never be the same.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#NoGreaterLove