Isaiah 61:3 declares this profound biblical truth, “….for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

This passage of text paints a beautiful picture of what Christ can do for the mourning people of Israel and the ones hurting today. When we examine or unpack this verse, we learn that Christ is the joy-giver. He gives a joy that extends beyond the surface pain, sufferings, and grief. Christ releases us from the bondage that sorrow brings.

Let’s be honest, Our pain, sufferings, and grief can leave us feeling defeated. It’s only when we fully trust God and completely turn ourselves over to God, our view of the trouble and sorrow of life changes. The circumstances may remain the same, but we change the lens we look through.

My beautiful wife Kimberly Blair Pinnock recently said to me, “The view from the sky is so much different than our view on the ground.” If my beloved twin brother could testify, I am pretty darn sure he would agree with his SNL.

Undoubtedly, God can take what we believe to be the worst of circumstances and turn it into something great. If you don’t believe me look at the grape, diamond, olive and seed. We have hope for coming out on the other side of sorrow with shouts of praise for our Lord.

Through the Blood of Christ, we can carry our sorrows to the sanctuary at the foot of the cross and leave them there. Also in Christ, we have been granted permission to trust God and when we do that, we can walk away with shouts of praise for the one true God. We can put on our new headdress and bright colored garments for all to see what God has done for us and what he can do for them.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#BeautyForAshes

I am not intimately familiar with your life, but I know that if it’s anything like mines you too have experienced some unfortunate circumstances. Yesterday as I was driving into the office, I noticed a message on a digital billboard. The message was simple and yet a very powerful reminder: WORSHIP YOUR WAY THROUGH!!

I thought to myself that’s exactly what I need to do because during life’s difficult moments, seasons of profound disappointment(s),
and excoriating pain as the enemy enjoys watching me question whether God’s presence is with me and/or is God’s love for me. Can you relate?

The enemy cunningly speaks to us and for some he says, “Her husband came back but yours didn’t”, “God doesn’t love you as much as he loves her”, the pain will never end”, “Why bother worshipping, no one is listening”, and the list goes on and on….

In the midst of our storms it behooves us to remember two things:
1 — The enemy is a thief and a liar (John 8:44).
2 — God is for you. He promised to never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) and He held nothing back in saving you, not even the life of His own son (John 3:16).

The hope that Paul speaks about in his letter to the Church in Rome is different than anything this world has to offer. This hope is not wishful thinking. On the contrary, it’s the stuff you can stake your life on!

Undoubtedly, until we see Jesus face to face we will endure storms, trials, and tribulations. Some will blow over quickly while others will seem to last longer than we can bear, but remember what JESUS said in John 16:33, “…take heart, I have overcome the world!”

It used to be that if I were walking through a hard season I would be confident that God would get me through, and when He did, I would worship and thank Him. But what I’m learning in this present season of my life is to worship Him in the middle of the storm, before I see the breakthrough, because He is worth it!

Beloved, God is worthy to be praise even after the death of a loved one, even when your struggling to make ends meet, and even if your spouse or children can’t get right. God is worthy to be praised despite the odds! Revelation 5:12 says, “And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

I want to encourage you today. If you in the middle of some rough seas — lift up your head, your heart, and your hands to the Lord and worship your way through the storm. He will hold you as you draw closer to him (James 4:8). Believe or not, God dwells in the heart of our worship (Psalm 22:3).

Lastly, I invite you to meditate on this promise written in Jude 1:24-25 (NLT) ; “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#WSHPYourWayThru

Jehovah Rapha, Nissi and Jireh, I come before You to lift up every family across the globe today. As you know the enemy is no longer hiding in dark corners. His attacks have been deliberate and malicious for many years especially most recently. That being said, we know the enemy will never have one up on You. Therefore, we ask that You individually guide each of us in whatever we do and help us to live in unity. You are not the author of confusion or dissension, so please dispense unto each family and family member peace, patience, perseverance, and understanding. Help us to love and accept each other as we are, with all our strengths and our shortcomings. We pray that every assignment not authored by You be canceled and that any ploy from the wicked sent to divide us will not prosper. O’ ushering Holy Spirit, keep us all unwaveringly unified and righteously sanctified in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.

The late R.C. Sproul knew precisely the difference between believing in God and believing God. He fully understood that genuine belief in God is based on who He really is. The Bible’s axiom that “anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists” (Hebrews 11:6) assumes that faith is placed in the God of the Bible, not some other god. Although many people believe that God exists and want to serve Him, the god they worship is one of their own design. People often remake God in their own image, picking and choosing the aspects of the true God they find agreeable. They may believe that He is love (which is a biblical concept—1 John 4:8), but they may then interpret that by their own definition of love. God, for some, is a doting grandfather who gives them good things and wants them to be happy. Members of Christian cults may be devoted to God, but not God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. To believe in a god of our own making is a worthless faith. If our belief would conform to reality, we must believe God as He has revealed Himself: the Triune God who is perfect, omniscient, omnipotent, all-sufficient, immutable, true, faithful, gracious, loving, merciful, holy, and just.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#iBelieve

James 1:3 tells us that the building blocks of a “no matter what” faith begins with perseverance. But let’s be honest, we are not always comfortable with the
preserving part of building our faith.

Truth is we develop a “no matter what” (aka) “persevering” faith in God when we cognitively decide to trust Him in all things–even when times of discouragement, difficulty, or despair threaten us to turn away from our faith!

I’ve learned and I’m continuing to learn/embrace that God is faithful in the little things and in the big things, and each time I pass through a fiery test, ominous storm, or unwanted difficulty trusting in Him, deepens and grows my “no matter what” faith.

The spiritual reality is this world is not our home ( Hebrews 13:14-16) and undoubtedly, we will experience both joys and struggles (John 16:33). But “no matter what” our faithful God will always carry us through. That’s enough right there to give God a shout of praise!

That being said, I pray this simple message empowers, encourages, and inspires someone who might be struggling with setting the building blocks of their “no matter what” (aka) “persevering” faith today. Look at this way, genuine faith is not about everything turning out okay, rather it’s about being okay “no matter” how things turn out.

Like I always say, “Your greatest blessing is always in front and never behind you, so be blessed on purpose and be strong!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#NoMatterWhatFaith

I don’t know the day or hour, but the second coming of Christ is closing in on us everyday and the only way to be truly ready for that day is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

The second coming of Jesus Christ is the hope of believers that God is in control of all things, and is faithful to the promises and prophecies in His Word. In His first coming, Jesus Christ came to earth as a precious baby in a manger in Bethlehem, just as prophesied. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not yet fulfilled. The second coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to fulfill these remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side.

The second coming is spoken of in greatest detail in Revelation 19:11-16, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Beloved of God, if you are one of the ninety-nine share this message with someONE who is not and let’s all help to change their eternal trajectory! Like I always say, “Your greatest blessing is always in front of you and never behind you, so be blessed on purpose and be strong!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#NAP

#ComingSoon