You MUST have unshakable faith in uncertain times because God will always work it out. David profoundly said this in Psalm 16:8, “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”

Undoubtedly, God knows what your medical report said.
He knows what your financial situation looks like. He sees the people coming against you. He knows how big your dreams are and like He has told you before; He will never fail you. Joshua 21:45 firmly establishes this truth: God keeps his Word. Not one of God’s good promises has ever failed, not before the time of Joshua, not after, and not now.

Scripture affirms time and time again that God never fails. We must remember in times of desperation and grief that we may not be seeing God’s good and gracious purpose from our current vantage point.

The Lord may want to use a difficult season as a stepping stone in our spiritual growth. In trying time we have to believe that God knows what’s best for us and trust in his promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20 solidifies this truth; “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”

My brothers and sisters, we all possess a measure of unshakable faith. Therefore, I encouraged you and myself to face each day confidently with an awareness that we have an ALMIGHTY GOD (El SHADDAI) on our side. Trust and believe with uncompromising assurance that HE will never fail us!! His good promises to us will ALWAYS come to pass.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#UnshakableFaith

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

In this short word of encouragement, I wanted to remind you that God is bigger than your doctor’s report, the obstacles that seem insurmountable, the news that seems devastating, the fears and problems that try to strangle you, the discouragement that ravages your soul, and the depression that weighs you down…GOD IS BIGGER!

If you are in the middle of a plight always remember that the fight (battle) belongs to God! 2 Chronicles 20:15 reminds us of this biblical truth: “…. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

If I’m speaking to you or someone you might know I encourage you to #read God’s word (2 Tim 3:16), #reflect on God’s word (Psalm 16:7) #remember God’s faithfulness (Deut 7:9), #rejoice in God’s victory (Psalm 118:15-17)!

When we practice or apply these 4 spiritual truths in our lives, we are able to let go of the burdens, the discouragement, and the anxiety, and turn our attention, instead, to the power of God (Phil 4:6-7). I hope and pray for the Lord to open the eyes of your heart (Eph 1:18) so that you can experience a perception shift! I guarantee you that your spirit will feel a million times lighter, as you submit to God and these spiritual truths.

The good news is our Heavenly Father is so much bigger than anything that seeks to overwhelm and destroy us. Never forget that as you and I continue to look to Him, He is able to handle what we cannot.

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#OurGodIsBigger

We have to stay connected to the Source of our strength, healing, purpose, provision, deliverance, and protection.

Jesus made it intrinsically clear that apart from Him we can do nothing. He confirmed this spiritual truth in John 15:5, “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.”

There’s something theologians call ‘Union with Christ.’ That means, basically, that we are ‘in Jesus.’ In Paul’s letters, his most common phrase is ‘in Christ.’ As stated above we are connected by faith to Jesus just like a branch is connected to a tree. All of His love, life, righteousness, power, and grace is in us. Ephesians 2:4-6 tells us that we are alive in Christ, and seated with Him in heaven.

Here are 5 Simple application points to stay connected:

1. Get planted in a Bible base church. (Psalm 1 & Heb 10:25)

2.See the bigger picture. (Luke 24:7)

3. Be teachable. (2 Tim 3:16)
4. Consistently read your Bible. (Roms 10:17)
5. Pray and praise. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

START WITH JESUS, STAY WITH JESUS, & END WITH JESUS!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#StayConnected

Don’t let trials, circumstances, or people stop you from praying to God!

God is never ignorant to your plight because He knows that the fight and ultimate victory belongs to Him. We find confirmation of this wonderful truth in 2 Chronicles 20:13-15 when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel. He said this to all the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

God’s prayer line is always open, you will never be placed on hold, and you don’t need Wi-Fi or cellular data to get connected. I John 5:14 put it this way, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

To those who are wondering why I included frenemies and enemies….well Jesus said so in Matthew 5:44, “Pray for those who persecute you” and Paul followed Jesus’ lead in Romans 12:14, “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.”

PRAY…..PRAY….PRAY….PRAY!!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#PrayerIsOurWeaponToWin

The devil (aka the enemy) is vicious, but he’s not victorious. And we have everything we need in Jesus to defeat him.

Unfortunately, this bogeyman is real and I Peter 5:8 reminds us that, “he prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.“ However, the good news is that we don’t have to lie shaking in our beds with a death grip on the covers, feeling powerless and deathly afraid.

The moment we tap into the power of God’s Word, the enemy is rendered poweerless. Yes, truth is the only perfect protection against our enemy and as we draw closer to the end of this age, it’s critically important to remember this. Receive this. Use this. Practice this. Live this.

Friends, in Christ we are not defenseless. God’s promises are always a perfect match for our problems. And as I mentioned above, our problem-instigator, the devil — the one Scripture says roams around like a lion — is no match for God’s power or His promises. God’s promises don’t tame the lion; they shame the lion back to hell. They shut the lion’s mouth! God’s promises turns his camouflaging roars into a kitty cat whimper. Not to mention, they make him retreat when we choose to live and believe in God’s Word! Without fail; God will always guide us, equip us and infuse us with holy confidence when we chose to stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Declare it with me today friend: The devil is no match for God’s power nor His promises!!

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#VictoriousInChrist

I invite you to chew on these three biblical truths today. I also ask that you apply these passages of encouragement to your NOW situation. Something supernatural happens when we apply scripture to our lives; we move from simply having head knowledge towards also having heart knowledge of God’s word.

James 1:22 in the NLT version reads, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Declaring God’s word helps to align our hearts with God’s will. Remember, when Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, He spoke God’s word and put Satan in his place. Speaking God’s word has the power to help us through temptations and trials. The Bible isn’t just a book of nice sayings and inspirational stories. It’s a book that contains life changing power. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equippedi for every good work.”

Friends, God has filled us with His Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17) who speaks to us, leading and guiding us into all truth (John 16:13). For this reason, Paul instructs believers to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), for He is a very present Help in our time of need (Psalm 46:1)! The Holy Spirit will ALWAYS faithfully guide us into the will of God, always causing us to do what is right (Ezekiel 36:26-28; Philippians 2:13).

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#HeartKnowledge

I love the way the AMP version emphasizes Isaiah 26:3; “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].”

You see, it’s easy to be committed and focused on Jesus when things are going good, but for some of us (including myself) when our lives are unexpectedly turned upside down our focus will immediately shift to the problem rather than the Problem Solver.

God never said take refuge in our problems or people, rather He calls us to turn those things over to Him by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Phil 4:6-7) and to fully take refuge in Him (Psalm 46:1).

The word “refuge” is defined as a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. In other words, taking refuge in God means that we can find complete safety in Him because He is our shield from danger and trouble. He is the only One that can truly provide us with shelter in the midst of our life threatening storms.

Friends, trusting in God means to take refuge in Him. It also means that we must place all of our hope and confidence in knowing that He will always navigate us through life’s most vicious and turbulent waters!

Edward Bickersteth, Jr. penned these words in his hymn entitled; Peace, Perfect Peace (excerpt):

“Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Peace, perfect peace, ’mid suffering’s sharpest throes?
The sympathy of Jesus breathes repose….”

#BeStrong

#TGBTG

#PeacePerfectPeace