The loss of a loved one can shatter our world, leaving us feeling isolated and overwhelmed. In these moments of profound sorrow, it’s crucial to remember that grief is not a competition. Each of us has a unique relationship with the person we’ve lost, and each of us will mourn in our own way. Comparing our grief to others’ only diminishes the sacredness of our personal experience and hinders the healing process.

Undoubtedly, the Lord understands our pain intimately. He is not distant or indifferent to our suffering; rather, He draws near to those who are brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18 says,”The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Thankfully in God’s presence, we find comfort and solace, even when words fail to express the depth of our anguish. God invites us to pour out our hearts to Him, to find rest in His embrace, and to trust that He is with us in our darkest hours.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 confirms, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

My brothers and sisters, truly I say to you, the significant loss of a loved one isn’t about competition or who loved them more. Grief is a deeply personal experience, and each person processes it in their own way. What matters most is honoring the memory of the loved one and supporting each other through the pain.

Pray with me:

Father God, we come to You with heavy hearts, grieving the loss of our loved one. Help us to embrace our grief without comparison or competition, understanding that each journey of sorrow is personal and unique. Surround us with Your comforting presence and grant us the strength to lean on You and each other. May we honor the memory of our loved one through our love and support for one another. In Jesus comforting and forever guiding name, Amen and Amen and Amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GriefJourney

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced an unimaginable burden. Knowing the suffering that lay ahead, He still chose to surrender His own will to the Father’s. In Luke 22:42 His prayer, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” exemplifies ultimate trust and obedience.

Quiet as it’s kept, this prayer request is definitely easier said than done because as we navigate our own lives, we often encounter situations where our desires clash with God’s plans. It could be in relationships, career choices, health challenges, or any number of life’s uncertainties. Our natural inclination might be to assert our own will, hoping to control the outcomes to our favor.

However, true peace and fulfillment come when we align our will with God’s. This doesn’t mean that the path will always be easy or free from pain, but it does mean that we can trust in His perfect wisdom and love. God’s plans for us are far greater than we can imagine, even when we can’t see it in the moment.

My brothers and sisters, each day, we should ask God to help us align our desires with His and to seek His guidance in our decisions, both big and small and we should also remind ourselves of past instances where God’s plan proved to be better than our own.

Whenever you are faced with decisions, remembering these two steps will help you to reflect and place your trust in God’s will, even when it’s difficult. So today, I invite you to surround yourself with scripture and positive influences that builds your trust, faith, and reinforces godly obedience!

Pray with me:

Father God, I come before You with a humble heart, seeking Your guidance and strength. In all that I face and every decision I make, let Your will be done, not mine.

Grant me the courage to follow Your path, even when it is difficult or unclear. Help me to trust in Your plan for my life, knowing that Your ways and thoughts are higher than my ways and thoughts. Through the power of revelation and inspiration, the prophet Isaiah confirms this in verse 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD (YWH). For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

That said Father God, in moments of doubt and fear, reminds me of Your steadfast love and perfect wisdom. Teach me to relinquish control and to rest in Your plan, purpose, and promises.

Just as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, I say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” May Your purpose be fulfilled in and through me. In Jesus’ name, I pray…amen and amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#Notmywillbutyoursbedone

We are reminded in Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV )that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Undoubtedly, life is full of unexpected challenges, and sometimes it can feel like we are facing insurmountable obstacles. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are reminded that we are never alone in our struggles. God is always with us, offering His profound strength, wisdom, and guidance.

My brothers and sisters, the good news is there is no storm that God can’t beat, no bridge that God can’t cross, and no battle that God can’t win. The storms of life—whether they are personal trials, health issues, financial struggles, or emotional pain—are no match for God’s power, grace, and love. He is our impenetrable refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Imagine standing at the edge of a deep, wide river with no visible way to cross. In these moments of uncertainty, God is the bridge that carries us over the tumultuous waters. He knows the path we need to take, and He will guide us safely to the other side if we trust in Him.

Every battle we face, no matter how daunting, taxing, or challenging can be won with God by our side. He is our ultimate Victor and Champion, fighting on our behalf. When we place our trust in Him and allow Him to lead the way, we tap into a divine strength that surpasses all human understanding.

Prayer with me:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Help us to place all our trust in You, knowing that You can overcome any storm, cross any bridge, and win any battle. Guide us, Lord, and lead us on the path You have prepared for us. Fill our hearts with peace and assurance, knowing that with You, all things are possible. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#Godisgreaterthanperiod

Faith and prayer both are invisible, but they make impossible things possible, visible, and tangible. Jesus said this in Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

In our daily lives, none of us are granted immunity from unwanted and undesirable circumstances. Unfortunately, we often face challenges that seem mountaineous and insurmountable. Whether it’s a difficult situation at home, work, a health concern, or a personal struggle, these “mountains” can leave us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and powerless. However, Jesus reminds us that even the smallest amount of faith, like a mustard seed, can produce extraordinary, remarkable, and astonishing results.

Faith is not about the measure or size but the strength, steadfastness, and sincerity with which we hold it. When we fully and humbly place our trust in God, believing in His power, promises, purpose, and goodness, we unlock the potential for miracles. Through faith, we acknowledge that our limitations are not His limitations. Additionally, those unwanted and unexpected circumstances, road blocks, setbacks, hindrances, and obstacles are never challenges to our God!

Equally said, prayer is the supernatural and celestial channel through which we express our faith or a lack thereof. KSBJ hit the nail on the head with their tagline; ‘God Listens’! Simply put, prayer is an open and honest conversation with a loving, caring, attentive, and active listening God. Prayer opens up amazing opportunities for us to seek God’s guidance, express our needs, and thank Him for His blessings, promises, and favor. Prayer aligns our hearts with His divine will, opening the door for His indefatigable power to work in our fatigued lives.

My brothers and sisters, faith sees the invisible and prayer believes the incredible. Together these two essential vitamins of the soul enables us to receive the incredible and witness the impossible in and through our daily lives.

So today, take a moment to reflect on the “mountains” in your life and ask yourself, are these “mountains” bigger than our God?! Of course not! That being said, I personally invite you to take those “mountains” to God in prayer. Trust that God is more than capable of moving those “mountains” and that He is always working for your good and His glory, even when the outcome isn’t readily and immediately visible.

Pray with me

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith and the power of prayer. Help us to trust in You, even when the challenges we face seem insurmountable. Strengthen our faith, and guide us in our prayers, that we may experience Your miraculous power in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#faithandprayer

Jeremiah 1:5 is a profound verse that speaks to the intimate and purposeful nature of God’s relationship with each individual. It says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

This verse is a powerful reminder of our inherent value and purpose. It tells us that our existence is not a mere accident, but a deliberate act of creation by a God who knows us deeply and intimately, even before our physical form takes shape. It reassures us that we are not alone in our journey; we are known, loved, and set apart with a specific purpose.

In moments of doubt and uncertainty, when we question our worth or the significance of our path, Jeremiah 1:5 serves as a beacon of hope and affirmation. It encourages us to embrace our unique calling with confidence, knowing that we are equipped by the very One who designed us. This divine assurance empowers us to move forward with courage, trusting that our lives have meaning and that we are destined to make a difference in our world.

My brothers and sisters, like Jeremiah we too must embrace our purpose with the knowledge that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, appointed for a unique mission that only we can fulfill (read verses 6-10).

Though Jeremiah doubted that he was fit for the job due to his age, God reassured him the task set before him will not be successfully accomplished using human ability but through His divine support. In other words, God will enable him to fulfill his calling!

As it was for Jeremiah so shall it be for us. Therefore, let this truth fuel your passion and drive, as you step boldly into the life God is calling to live before you were formed in your mother’s womb!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#HeKnewYou

In life, we often face challenges and adversities that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and defenseless. During these times, it’s important to remember that we are not alone. God is our ultimate protector and defender.

The Bible tells us in Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” This powerful verse reminds us that we can trust in God’s strength and sovereignty. He is always with us, ready to stand up for us and shield us from harm.

When we place our trust in God and allow Him to take control, we can find peace and reassurance. We do not need to rely solely on our own abilities or understanding. Instead, we can lean on His wisdom and power, knowing that He will guide us through every storm.

Let us release our worries and anxieties to Him, confident that He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). In moments of trial, let us be still and let God be our defender. I get it my brothers and sisters, as bad as you want to address it, sometimes it’s best to let God defend you. His love and protection are unwavering, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

May you find comfort and strength in knowing that God is always fighting for you. Micah 6:8 tells us, “…The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#ELOHIMSHOMRI

Romans 8:31b-32 says, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?”

The Apostle Paul is reminding us that God is always “fixing things” on our behalf. No matter how badly things are going in life, we can live in hope, not fear.

God’s grace makes our hope possible. Not just for today, but for all of eternity.

Over 2,000 years ago, our heavenly Father looked at a hurting, messed-up planet. He sent His one and only Son from heaven to earth so we would not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) And in one proverbial push of a button, by sending His Son Jesus, God Almighty said to our broken world: I’ll fix it!!

Granted, having God “fix” the issues in our lives does not mean that all our problems instantly go away. However, it does mean that God gives us the strength we need to walk through hard times, and He gives us an unimaginable peace that goes beyond our understanding to endure whatever troubles we face (Philippians 4:7).

Be honest, is there anyone out there that can use a fix-it button in your life? A little reminder that God can solve all your problems — both big and small? To know He still loves you, no matter what? I know I sure could.

My brothers and sisters, it’s never too late for God’s infinite grace to step in and right the wrongs aka pains in our lives be it relational, medical, emotional, physical, and/or financial!

Zacardi Cortez ‘sang’ the nail on the head in his song entitled, ‘Lord, Do It For Me’ and here’s a snippet verse:

“Lord, fix it for me
Anybody know God can do it
O Jesus, fix it for me (fix it for me)
Ayy, Lord, I have a problem
That only You can solve
Ayy-ay, Lord, I need You to do it for me (do it for me)”

At the end of the day, I believe that broken things can become blessed things when it is God that does the fixing!! I pray this message blesses and encourages you today!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#LordFixItForMe