I once read that, “Pride is the poison of hell.” I know that’s a pretty alarming statement, considering how ‘pride’ is such a celebrated characteristic in today’s culture. However, pride establishes an identity in a source other than God. Have you ever experienced a toddler putting something in their mouth they weren’t supposed to, and then vigorously yelling, ‘GET THAT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH…!’ ‘SPIT IT OUT…!’ Undoubtedly, you would very quickly react due to the danger of the hazardous thing they were attempting to ingest. Although pride may look delicious and appetizing; it’s venomous like a baby copperhead snake.

I believe that Peter could relate to the nasty venomous aftermath of a pride-filled heart and that’s why he wrote in I Peter 5:5, “…’God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” The term resist, is a very striking term. To be proud and prideful are synonymous. This scripture clearly states, “God resists the proud.” This sounds very familiar to the command God gives us towards the devil; “…Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NKJV). Pride converted Lucifer from the worship leader of Heaven, into Satan the ring leader of Hell. Pride corrupts the authenticity of any character with evil toxicity. Pride is the nature of the devil. God is not against us, but He is against pride. The most dangerous thing about pride is that it is the hardest thing to see in yourself. It’s extremely easy to identify pride in others, but extremely hard to identify pride in yourself, because pride blinds you of your sins, iniquities, and transgressions. Pride is self-righteousness, self-justification, and self-sufficiency. All of those characteristics render the power Gospel ineffective in an individual’s life.

Inarguably, there is a distinct difference between pride and humility. The major difference between these two terms is that pride blinds you from your identity and humility reveals your identity. Humility is the bridge of surrender to your heart, which allows God’s grace to enter in. Grace is God’s ability and humility is the conduit of God’s grace. Pride is a conscious decision to trust in your own ability. Pride is confidence in yourself as your source, whereas humility is confidence that God is your source. Pride is like cancer, it spreads to every place in your life, until you deal with it. The only way to extract pride from your life is to cultivate humility. Jesus was the ultimate example of humility, Jesus proclaimed He could do nothing of Himself, He was completely dependent upon the Father. (John 5:30 NLT). Humility is the pure canvas, where God can paint the masterpiece of your divine destiny. Humility is willingness to be corrected, servanthood, and confidence in God.

At the end of the day, the bible tells us in the book of Proverbs 11:2, ” When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” Look at it this way, sometimes we have to eat our words, starve our ego, swallow our pride, and accept our mistakes. It’s not called giving up rather, it’s called growing up! A humble heart is God’s favorite platform to empower, encourage and inspire!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#HumilityRendersPridePowerless

In John 8:36 Jesus makes a wonderful statement of victory. He says, “So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.” These are powerful, inspiring, empowering, and encouraging words and I want to issue you a big congratulations, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, because you are free. Having said that, I want to ask you, have you ever taken the time to consider what you are freed from?

In Greek the word ‘free’ can mean to liberate or to exempt from liability. That means the above passage of text could read whom the son liberates or exempts from liability will be really liberated and exempted from liability. Because of this definition, when you consider this verse in its full context, there are two conclusions I want you to consider. First, there are things Christ has freed you from. Second, there are things Christ has freed you to.

Let’s consider both sides of this coin because they are both critical to living the full and abundant life that Christ wants us all to live.

The ‘heads’ side of the coin reveals that we are freed from the bondage of sin. When we were born again, something beautiful happened – God gave us a new nature and more importantly filled us with His Holy Spirit so now we are no longer under the control of our sinful nature – we have been set free. Paul summed it up in 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The ‘tails’ side of the coin reveals that we have the inalienable right to live. One of the reasons it’s so important to understand that you are free from the bondage, penalty and guilt of sin is because it now increases your capacity, through Jesus, to love, to have joy, to experience peace, and to enjoy life. God doesn’t want us holding on to our past guilt and shame. I love what Jesus said in John 10:10, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Here’s some more good news, the bonus side of that coin is that in Christ we have the freedom to serve. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Christ freed us so that we could accomplish God’s plan for our lives! He knew that it would difficult if not impossible to achieve this plan if we had to run around with a guilty conscience. We would be literally more focus on trying to prove ourselves or win the approval of others.

Lastly, the Webster defined freedom as the power or right to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint. This definition completely wraps up everything Christ has done for you and me. My brothers and sisters there is only one thing left for for us to do; LIVE!!! Paul said it best in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Enjoy your freedom … live the life Christ has freed you to live.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#FreedomInChrist

I believe somebody needs to hear this message today! So let’s jump right in….

Metaphorically, the Bible speaks about doors we may encounter throughout our lives as opportunities for blessing and growth. For example, in 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul tells the believers at Corinth that a “door of opportunity” has been opened to them by God. He encourages them to use it because “when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them” (Isaiah 22:22).

It’s important that we remind ourselves the doors that God opens and closes in our lives are simply testing our faith. In 2 Corinthians 2:12–13, for example, Paul talks about how God “opens a door of faith” when He leads us into unfamiliar situations. This can be a difficult test because what appears like a ‘closed’ door is actually an ‘open’ door that challenges our trust in Him, but it also offers us an opportunity to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Him.

That being said, if you have been in an open but closed door season, I want you to know that God is about to start opening new doors for you. In fact, He is placing you in position to buy the building! Don’t doubt what God can or can’t do! Isaiah 45:2 says, “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break the gates of bronze in pieces and cut the iron bars. God’s has the power to open doors that seem impossible. Therefore, if God is on your side, then nothing can stand in the way of His plan for you.

My brothers and sisters, the reason God is opening these new doors is to bring the purpose He planned for our lives to pass. God plans for us are far greater than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20–21). Unquestionably, God works in mysterious ways and He is always faithful to His promises. When God opens a door, He has the perfect timing for us to step through it into the new place that He prepared before the beginning of time.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#OpenDoors

Going through a difficult season? Well, let me be the first to let you in on a little secret; you’re not alone. You see, when we go through a difficult season, we can find much peace in these words: God already has it figured out. Many times we will find ourselves at a place where there seems no escape from the plight, pressure or pain. Yet when we let those words sink into our spirits, we find the courage to move forward.

Make note, believing that God’s got our tough times figured out frees us from anxious thoughts (Proverbs 3:5-6). We no longer have to stay up late or wake up early working trying to plan everything out because God can take our hard places, and difficult seasons and turn them for our good (Romans 8:28).

My brothers and sisters, when we constantly meditate on His promises and walk in obedience to His word, we have the ability to rest in Him. I get it, there will be the temptation to worry, and our enemy will constantly throw shade our way, but we can breakthrough these snares as we take steps in faith in spite of our situation.

We must be intentional to focus our attention on Him and not our situation. This walk of faith is going to have wonderful times of joy and uncomfortable times of sorrow. Somehow in God’s sovereign power, He takes this confusing mixture of life and works it out for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

At the end of the day, God love and reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), but we must be willing to walk according to His calling on our lives, even when we are tested in our faith (James 1:1-4). God got us whether or not our deliverance comes quickly or sometime in the future. Our testimony isn’t just what He did but how He kept us in our difficult seasons.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GodIsAGameChanger

Effective planning that leave us with less of God and more of us are not that effective as we think. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon discussed the relationship of man’s planning and God’s directing work multiple times (Proverbs 16:1; 19:21; 20:24). One example of this is found in Proverbs 16:9: “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps” (NKJV). Humanity regularly plans and prepares for future events, but in each case God directs the outcome.

Here’s and example of the Lord directing the steps of humanity as seen in Psalm 37:20–26. David, the second king of Israel, wrote this psalm in the later years of his life (Psalm 37:25). Part of the psalm contrasts the actions taken by the Lord toward the wicked and the righteous. In verse 22 David discusses “those the Lord blesses” and “those He curses.” The blessed are the righteous under the Mosaic Law, while the cursed are the wicked (see Deuteronomy 27—28). The righteous man, who delights in the Lord, is promised “firm steps” (Psalm 37:23). He can move forward with confidence because, “though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (verse 24).

My brothers and sisters, we are finite in every way and God is infinite in every way. God omnisciently knows the end from the beginning and we futilely try to predict (plan) the end from the beginning. In both examples, do you notice the starking and obvious contrast? If you do, then you should be so confident about God’s plan that you don’t get upset, angry, or bitter when things don’t go the way you planned.

At the end of the day, it’s wise to plan for the future, but we should find comfort in that, ultimately, God directs (orders) our steps. His plans will always lead us in a good path…the right path—one we should all rejoice in because His plans always prevail!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GodOrderedPlans

To those of you who are grieving the loss of a loved one, I want you to know that you are not alone. I’ve heard it said, “Grief is love with no place to go.” Though this statement may sound good, I don’t totally agree. Love is transcendent and if God can pour out His love to all of humanity from the third heaven, I believe that it would be safe to opine that our loved ones who now reside in the third heaven with God can also feel the our love that continues to resonates for them within us.

Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

If they can witness and cheer for us then I am pretty positive that we can and they can sense the love that continues to remain in each of our beings!

Make no mistake, love comes before grief and love with be there during and after grief!

So, if this messages is speaking to you in your grief journey let me encourage you with these words found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

#BeStrong

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#NAP

#GriefJourney

Clearly, the Bible teaches the Devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. From the early chapters of Genesis to the final chapters of Revelation, the Devil aspired to take good things created by God and either steal them (e.g., snatching people from God), kill them (e.g., enticing humans toward self-harm), or destroy them (e.g., destroying churches through persecution). False spiritual teaching is dangerous because it follows the same nefarious game plan.

The phrase “steal, kill, and destroy” comes from John 10, where Jesus gives a couple of His “I am” statements: “I am the gate” (i.e., the way to salvation; John 10:9) and “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). He contrasts Himself with the “thief” who wants to steal the sheep, and the “hired hand” who runs away at the first sign of a wolf. It is in this context that Jesus explains, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

The obvious way in Scripture that the Devil tries to steal is stealing people away from God. By planting mistrust about God, the serpent was able to steal Eve’s trust away from God. The result of Eve and Adam’s sin was humanity’s defection from living under God’s authority to being resentful residents of “the dominion of darkness” (Col. 1:13). Like a kidnapper luring a child away from his parents, the Devil continues to “leads the whole world astray” (Rev. 12:9).

I could belabor this point, but let’s jump to the good news and I am happy to say that in the end, Jesus wins! Literally, we know the end of the story and if you don’t, I invite you to read the entire book of Revelation.

Now then, before you jump into the book know on the front-end there are a lot of challenges, with understanding the different symbols, different imagery, different descriptions, and there’s a lot of debate in the church about what this or that means, however Revelation 11:15 does a great job summarizing the book and it reads, “Then the seventh angel then blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.’”

If this non-exhaustive message speaks to you and the enemy is hot on your trail or your going through some trials, I encourage you to remember these words written in 2 Timothy 4:8,”The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen!”

Pray with me:

Father God, hasten the coming of that day, and we collectively pray this with confidence today amidst all kinds of turmoil and uncertainty around us. We praise You because we know, that in the end you will reign forever and ever. And so we put all of our trust, our hope in You today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#JesusWins

God dispenses miracles to those who believe, courage to those who live by faith, hope to those who dream, love to those who accept, and forgiveness to those who ask!

Bottom line and hands down, there is absolutely nothing that our God can’t do and the only three things that He will never do is lie, die, or fail! Numbers 23:19 (AMP) “God is not a man that He should tell or act a lie…..” and Proverbs 30:5 (NIV) says, “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. People Will Fail You, But God Will Never Fail You.”

In this powerful word of encouragement, I wanted to remind you of those three important facts. Additionally, also remember that God always stands by His Word to perform and God and His Words are One. Those who have ever received supernatural intervention of God in times past, were those that chose to trust in God, Who cannot lie, die or fail. So today, no matter what has happened, always place your trust in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAY With Me: Father God, what a privilege it is to Have a Heavenly Father that will never lie, die or fail His children. I trust in You today. I rely on You. I throw all my challenges both good and difficult on You. I know you to be consistently faithful Who has promised. Therefore, I believe in miracles, I have courage to live by faith, I have hope to dream big, and I accept Your love and ask for Your forgiveness over and in my life; In JESUS’ MIGHTY NAME, amen and amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#GodIsSimplyAmazing

It’s certainly okay not to be okay. For some people taking this stance or position may be hard to do. Well, if that’s you, you are in good company. Paul felt the same way but after pleading with God 3 times to remove a metaphorical thorn in his side this is what he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “Each time He [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

I am sure if you you do some of your own personal digging you will find several foundational scriptures and encouraging stories that will remind you that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there and to be totally candid with you, I’m there right now.

But let me be clear, being okay with not being okay is in no way throwing in the towel. However, it’s simply not giving up and trusting God no matter the circumstance.

If you can relate to this message today, I don’t know what you’re going through that has caused you to not be okay. But I do know that God can restore the dry places in your life. You must remind yourself about the things God has done for you in the past. Then with humility, go before the Lord and plant seeds of good works (walk in love, serve others, and give to those in need) in your tears (sorrow, sadness, anxiety, or depression).

Galatians 6:9 says,”So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” and Psalm 126:5 says,”Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.”

Yes it’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay in that place and soak.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#itsoknottobeokay

Father God, I stand on your promises O God, and I shall not be afraid of the terrors of the night or the pestilences and deadly diseases and viruses that stalk the world and our nation. I shall not be afraid of the disaster that strikes for I put my trust in you, Almighty God, the Creator of the entire universe.

I stand on your promise that even if a 1,000 may fall at my side or 10,000 at my right hand, it shall not come near me. These evils shall not touch me. I put my hope and trust in you. You are my Lord, my Savior, and my God. You are my refuge and shelter from the storms of life. So, I declare now that no evil shall conquer me. No Plague shall come near my dwelling.

I ask for your mighty angels to protect and watch over me, my family, my friends, my neighbors, and my loved ones. I pray that you watch over our nation, O God. I pray for the hearts of the people to be turned back to you. Give us a heart of repentance O God. Help us make a new commitment to follow you with all our hearts.

I pray that sickness, disease, and ungodly viruses be crushed under our feet in the mighty name of Jesus. Rescue us, O God, for we love you. Protect us, for we trust you. We call upon you in this hour. Hear our prayer, O God. Be with us in these troubled times. Let us show the love of God and be a blessing to those around us. I pray in the mighty and matchless Name of Jesus Christ. May we be covered in your precious blood. In Jesus name, amen and amen and amen!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#ProtectedByGod