In the world of sports, the term G.O.A.T., short for Greatest Of All Time, is a coveted title. It’s reserved for legends, those whose skill, dominance, and legacy have left an indelible mark on their sport. Michael Jordan in basketball. Serena Williams in tennis. Tom Brady in football. Usain Bolt in Track. Muhammad Ali in boxing. Simone Biles in gymnastics. Pele and in Soccer. Ruth in Baseball. These names are etched in history books, praised by analysts, and revered by fans. They broke records, raised standards, and redefined greatness.

But as believers, we are called to consider a different standard. One that transcends stats, trophies, and human applause. If we look at the title “G.O.A.T..” through a spiritual lens, there is one who stands unmatched: Jesus Christ, the true and ultimate Greatest of all time.

Every earthly G.O.A.T. paid a price, grueling hours of training, immense discipline, overcoming setbacks, and battling critics. Their greatness came with scars. But Jesus paid the ultimate price. He didn't just train for a title, He laid down His life and not for himself but for the entire world. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities…” His greatness was not in performance, but in sacrifice. While athletes strive for medals, Jesus embraced a cross that had no glory for Him but redemption for others.

Earthly champions boast impressive stats as in points per game, medals won, and records broken. But the greatness of Christ isn’t measured in number of medals or accolades garnered, but rather His greatness is measured in lives transformed.

• He healed the sick (Matthew 4:24).
• He forgave sins (Mark 2:5-12).
• He raised the dead (John 11:43-44).
• He conquered death itself (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

No stat line can capture the eternal impact of Jesus. His scoreboard isn’t found in arenas, but rather it’s written in the Book of Life.

The Legacy of Greatness

Great athletes inspire millions. Their stories of resilience and excellence spark passion across generations. But Jesus didn’t just influence history, He split it in two (B.C. and A.D.). His message reached beyond stadiums into every nation, tribe, and tongue. His teachings have shaped governments, laws, moral codes, and human hearts for over 2,000 years. And while earthly G.O.A.T.s eventually fade from the spotlight as new G.O.A.T.s emerge over time, Jesus remains on the throne of His Greatness, unchallenged and eternal.

Athletes win crowns made of gold and silver, only to fade with time. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we could wear crowns of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). He gave up glory so we could share in His.

Faith Nugget

In a world that defines greatness by fame, wealth, and accomplishment, Jesus flips the script. His definition of greatness isn’t about being served, but about serving (Matthew 20:26-28). And through His life, death, and resurrection, He opens the door for us, not just to be saved, but to walk in true spiritual greatness.

Yes, and that Greatness is a quality inherited by believers who have been adopted into the family of God, simply because through Jesus, we’re not just improved, we are reborn. Created anew in His image, with His Spirit dwelling in us, we are made new in Christ, where true greatness begins with transformation according to 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), which tells us, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Secondly, as believers, we inherit Christ's Greatness because we receive Kingdom Identity. Romans 8:16-17 (NIV),  informs us that “The Spirit himself testifies… that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ...”

As co-heirs with Christ, we share in His glory. We are royalty in the Kingdom of God, not because of pedigree, but because of grace. Our identity as sons and daughters of God makes us eternally significant.

Thirdly, we are empowered to do greater works. John 14:12 (NIV) reminds us that,
“Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” Therefore, through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to heal, preach, love, forgive, and transform the world around them, just like Jesus did. His greatness flows through us.

Fourthly, we become great by serving according to Matthew 23:11 (NIV), which expressly tells us that, “The greatest among you will be your servant. ”In the Kingdom of God, humility is the path to greatness. Serving others with love, selflessness, and compassion reflects Christ’s heart and makes us great in His eyes. Not to mention the fact that we are crowned with eternal glory. The Apostle Paul testifies of this to Timothy when he said, “I have fought the good fight… there is in store for me the crown of righteousness...”2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV). Earthly fame fades, but eternal reward remains. In Christ, our greatness is sealed in heaven, crowned by righteousness and rewarded with glory that never perishes. In Christ, we are not just saved, we are elevated. Through Jesus Christ, we are called, justified, and ultimately glorified (Romans 8:30). That is true greatness, not according to man, but according to God.

So Who is the Real G.O.A.T.?

While we can admire sports champions and applaud their feats, let’s never forget, Jesus Christ is the G.O.A.T. above all G.O.A.T.s. His greatness isn’t limited to a game, a season, or even a lifetime. His greatness is eternal, redemptive, and unmatched.

When the final whistle blows, and the trophies tarnish, only one name will stand, Jesus, the Name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11), and according to Revelation 1:8 (NIV),
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” No athlete or leader can claim that they begin and end. Jesus spans all of time.

Jesus is supreme above Muhammad Ali, Jordan, Brady, Mays, Ruth, Pele, Maradona, or Bolt. He is, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory... he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels…” Hebrews 1:3-4 (NIV). Heaven itself declared His greatness according to Revelation 5:12 (NIV), which tells us, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

We as believers, therefore as heirs of His greatness, do not have to work to be great because we are already great, even if our lives do not yet manifest that greatness. Recognizing our greatness in and through Christ sets us on a path to achieving that greatness to bring glory and honor to Him.

As Jesus Christ is Great, so are we His disciples Great!

Blessings!

There is something beautifully humbling about admitting, “God is working on me.” It is a statement of surrender, of spiritual awareness, and of hope. It acknowledges that we are not perfect, but we are not without purpose. We are on the Potter’s wheel, being molded, refined, and shaped by the Master’s hands. God is the Potter and we are the clay in His hands, as spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” Isaiah 64:8.

Being in the hands of God is an ongoing process of transformation, and transformation is not a one-time event. It is a lifelong journey. When we surrender our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit begins the sanctifying work of making us more like Jesus. This process involves pruning, stretching, and renewing. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s always purposeful. The Apostle Paul tells us, "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory..."  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV).

God is not simply interested in behavior modification, He desires heart transformation. He doesn’t just want to clean the outside of the cup, but He’s purifying the inside. That means confronting attitudes, healing wounds, and changing mindsets.

When We Don’t Feel Ready or Worthy

There are days when I feel like I’ve failed, fallen short, or missed the mark. In those moments, I remind myself that God is not finished with me. He sees the end from the beginning. What looks like a mess in my eyes is a masterpiece in progress through His.

Even when I feel unworthy or unusable, God’s grace whispers to me, “I’m not done with you yet.” He chooses the weak to show His strength. He chooses the broken to reveal His glory. And He chooses you and me, flawed, yet deeply loved, to carry His light, and so we understand when the Apostle Paul tells us, "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..."  Philippians 1:6, that God is still working on us. There is no need to become frustrated with ourselves, only to commit and submit to His working process in and through us.

The Process Matters

We often pray for the promise but resist the process. Yet, it is in the process that character is built. Faith is stretched. Trust is deepened. God doesn’t waste anything, not even our struggles. Every lesson, every detour, every delay is part of His divine construction plan. Sometimes, the process feels slow. Sometimes we don’t see progress. But rest assured, God is working behind the scenes, even when we don’t feel it. As the song “Way Maker” by Leeland and others says, ‘Even when you don’t feel it, He’s working; even when you don’t see it, He’s working; He never stops, He never stops working.’ He’s aligning things, healing things, and preparing things that we don’t yet understand.

Wherever you are in your journey, take heart. You are not behind. You are not disqualified. You are simply “in progress.” Let that bring you peace. Let it remind you that your story is still being written by the Author of all things good. God is working on you, so keep walking, keep trusting, and keep growing

A Prayer for Growth Process

Lord, thank You for not giving up on me. Thank you for continuing to shape me even when I resist. Help me to trust the process and rest in Your timing. Give me the grace to grow and the strength to stay faithful, knowing that You are working all things together for my good. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings!

The celebration of Mothers comes one day in every year, but is a mother a mother for only one day? How many mothers can attest to the fact that they cannot recall a day as a mother when they were allowed to take one day off from that role. Even if as mothers, we wanted to, there was always a reason why we had to slip right back into it with ease. The sacred call of motherhood is a divine design. Yes, the Lord did tell the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” Jeremiah 1:5 KJV. Mothers are ordained mothers before they are even formed in the womb. How do you walk away from what you were ordained and sanctified to be? Hence the natural nurturing ability of mothers without a handbook.

The Proverbs tells us, “Her children rise up and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28 (ESV). Motherhood is more than a biological connection, it is a divine assignment, a sacred trust from God. From the Garden of Eden to the foot of the Cross, where we witnessed the powerful, prayerful presence of mothers shaping generations.

Motherhood begins with God’s design. Eve, the first mother, was given a name that reflected life and legacy. Adam “…called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living” Genesis 3:20 (ESV). Motherhood was never an afterthought, it was a vital part of God's redemptive plan, and every mother carries within her the ability to influence eternity through the children she nurtures, whether she recognizes it and operates in it or not.

The nurturing, comforting love of a mother gives us a glimpse into the heart of God. Her embrace carries healing, and her words speak wisdom. In her presence, children feel the security that reflects the arms of the Father. A mother of faith shapes the future as in Jochebed, the mother of Moses, risked her life to protect her child. Her faith preserved a deliverer for God’s people. Mothers are often the first intercessors and protectors of destiny, praying in secret what heaven reveals in power. The Hebrews writer reminds us that “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents…” Hebrews 11:23 (ESV).

God entrusted parents, especially mothers, with the early spiritual education of children. The home is the first pulpit, and a mother’s lap is the first classroom. Through lullabies, scriptures, and discipline, she lays the foundation for a godly life. Her reward is that “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” Proverbs 31:28 (ESV).

A godly mother leaves a legacy that outlives her. Her prayers echo in the corridors of time. Her sacrifices become stories told to future generations. Her faith is her children’s inheritance. Motherhood is not easy, but it is holy. Whether biological, adoptive, or spiritual, a mother’s influence is profound. She is a builder of souls, a keeper of covenants, and a vessel of divine love. To every mother reading this blog, your calling is eternal, and your impact is immeasurable.

Motherhood is such a divine office, yet so many count it as menial and unimportant. Society relegates it to menial work because it doesn’t come with a degree, certificate, or influence. Motherhood comes with so much self-sacrifice that the mother operates in the background, in obscurity, and quietly. But every Mother must recognize and understand that they are the bedrock of society, the very society that belittles or overlooks them. It is out of Motherhood that societies and our world are formed, cultures survive, and belief systems are instilled that create the flavor that binds us together under the umbrella of our divine Father.

Salute to Motherhood. Keep loving. Keep praying. Keep sowing because Heaven sees you.

Blessings!

This week, as we look further into Fixing My Eyes On Jesus, we are taking note that we cannot Ignore Satan, for he is real. In simpler terms, we cannot be so heavenly-minded that we forget that we have an enemy to contend with daily. The Apostle Peter tells us clearly, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV).

We live in a world that often treats Satan like a myth, a cartoon villain, or a symbolic figure of evil. But the Scripture is clear, Satan is not a metaphor, he is real, strategic, cunning, and relentless. To ignore his presence is to walk blindfolded through a battlefield. To be complacent in our walk with God, is to be caught unawares by Satan, our enemy, wounded on the battlefield. It is because of our spiritual walk that we need to be ever conscious of Satan our enemy.

Too many believers fall into spiritual complacency, thinking that if they don’t bother the devil, he won’t bother them. But the Word of God paints a very different picture. Jesus Himself encountered Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), and He didn’t dismiss him, He confronted him with truth. If the Son of God had to resist the enemy, how much more do we, and therefore must stay alert?

The enemy’s greatest tactic is deception. In John 8:44, Jesus called Satan “the father of lies.” He doesn’t come waving red flags, he comes subtly, sowing doubt, fear, division, deception, and compromise. Ignoring him only gives him room to operate unchecked in our lives, our homes, and even our churches. Most importantly, Satan appears and approaches us through our friends, family and loved ones. Those whom we lease expect and are very close to us. Can you recall Jesus having to tell Peter who was very close to him, “Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men?” Matthew 16:23.

Staying Sober and Vigilant Wins Battles

1 Peter 5:8 is not a suggestion but rather a command. To be sober means to remain clear-minded. To be vigilant means to be watchful and alert. The enemy is likened to a roaring lion, not because he has real power over God’s people, but because he seeks to intimidate, isolate, and destroy anyone who lets down their guard. A roaring lion is not laying idly by but rather on the prowl, has identified its prey and is on a charge of attack to devour and annihilate its enemy. As Satan is our enemy, so are we his enemy and there is no love lost between us. As participants of this spiritual warfare, we must stay sober, we must stay vigilant.

We are called not to fear Satan but to recognize him. Ephesians 6:11 urges us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The battle is spiritual, but the victory is already secured in Christ. Still, awareness is our responsibility.

Yes, Jesus has overcome the war with the enemy, but it is our responsibility to resist the enemy and not be engaged in his ploys or found sleeping. James made it quite clear when he encouraged us with a battle plan to “Submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Ignoring Satan is not resistance. Silence is not submission to God. We must stand, speak, and live in the authority of Jesus Christ. We have been equipped for the battle, we just have to adorn ourselves at all times in our armor like faithful soldiers of the Cross of Jesus Christ boldly, vigilantly, and soberly.

To resist the devil, we must:

• Stay in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Stay in the Word (Psalm 119:11)
• Stay connected to the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:25)
• Stay obedient to God (John 14:15)

For Satan is real, but he is not sovereign. He is a defeated foe, yet still dangerous to the unaware. Let us not be found sleeping while the enemy is working. Be awake. Be armed. Be anchored in Christ. Because while Satan roars like a lion, for he is not a lion, our Savior reigns.

BLESSINGS!

Fix My Eyes on Jesus

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God"  Hebrews 12:2 (KJV).

In a world filled with constant distractions, shifting priorities, and unexpected storms, the instruction found in Hebrews 12:2 is more than a suggestion — it is a life-preserving command. “Looking unto Jesus,” the writer declares, not just as a momentary glance, but as a continuous, unwavering focus. Even as I reminisce on this text, I am reminded of Colossians 3: 1-3, which tell us, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on thing above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

To keep our eyes on Jesus, to set our affections on things above, means to center our thoughts, affections, and trust on Him regardless of what surrounds us. Life throws trials, disappointments, delays, and even blessings that can turn our gaze away from Christ. But in every season of our lives, whether painful or pleasant, Jesus is our true North.

The Author and Finisher

Jesus is the Author, the One who began our faith journey. He is also the Finisher, the One who completes it. We often begin with excitement, passion, and determination, but we must remember that it is Christ who sustains us from start to finish. He doesn’t just launch our faith; He perfects and matures it.

This truth frees us from striving to "keep it all together." Our job is not to fix ourselves but to fix our eyes on the One who holds our destiny. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was set before Him. He saw beyond the pain, beyond the shame, and beyond the temporary suffering. His focus was on eternal glory, that joy of reconciling humanity to God.

This perspective is critical. When we suffer, we are tempted to lower our gaze, to look at our pain, our critics, or our confusion. But when we lift our eyes to Jesus, we begin to see with eternity in view. Like Peter walking on water, it’s only when our eyes are fixed on Jesus that we stay afloat, we keep waking, and we keep standing. When we look away, we sink into fear.

Practical Ways to Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

1. Daily Devotion – Begin each day with His Word. Let Scripture reset your focus.
2. Worship Often – Worship shifts the atmosphere and realigns your heart.
3. Pray Continuously – Prayer is your lifeline. It keeps the connection alive.
4. Limit Distractions – Turn down the noise of social media, news, and negativity.
5. Walk in Community – Surround yourself with people who will point you to Jesus, and who are of like passion.

This request to keep our eyes on the Lord, is not an insurmountable request. Do you recall Jesus himself praying for His followers? He said to the Father, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them… Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (John 17: 9-24 KJV). As believers, we can only fulfill the desire of the Lord for us by keeping our eyes fixed upon Him.

Keeping your eyes on Jesus doesn’t mean ignoring our problems or our life’s challenges, it means choosing to see them through the lens of Christ’s victory. The cross was not the end for Jesus, and our trials are not the end for us. He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God the Father, reigning, victorious, and interceding for us.

So today, and every day, let us choose to lift our eyes. Jesus hasn’t moved. He is faithful. He is near, and He is worth looking to.

Blessings

I MUST RESPOND 2 THE CALL

There comes a time in every person’s life when the noise of the world quiets just enough for the soul to hear something deeper, something divine. It may not come with fireworks or thunder from heaven. It may be a whisper. A stirring. A weight on your heart that refuses to lift. And in that moment, you realize that this isn’t just a feeling. It’s a call. It’s a call as described by the prophet Isaiah, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” Isaiah 30:21 (ESV).

Not just any call—but your call.

We often go about our days busy with responsibilities, caught up in routines, and chasing what the world says we should pursue. But then something shifts. God taps your shoulder. He speaks to your spirit. He reminds you that you were made for more, for purpose, for impact, for His glory. The Apostle Paul tells us “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV).

And now, you’re faced with a decision: Will you answer?

For me, the call was persistent and early. It showed up in my quiet moments, when I was alone with my thoughts. It echoed in sermons, conversations, songs, and even dreams. The same message kept returning: “I want to use you.” Not because I was perfect or qualified, but because I was willing. Because as I understood it, God knew if willing, I would be impactful for and to His purpose and plan for His Kingdom. At the time I didn’t believe it, I didn’t think I was qualified, I didn’t think I would be able to stand before anyone and sing or speak. Like Moses and Jeremiah, I had to be repeatedly encouraged before I answered the call, and the first time God showed me His help in what I was doing, there was no turning back. The Apostle correctly told the believers at Corinth, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV). God knows that with His power and anointing, we can do all and anything He asks of us or calls us into.

Responding to the call isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about surrender. It’s about saying “yes” even when your voice shakes. It’s about trusting that if God called you, He will equip you. Didn’t the Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians when he said, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)?

The Invitation Cannot Be Ignored

Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 22 that perfectly mirrors the urgency of this message. It commences with, "Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.”

This story reminds us that God’s call is an invitation to something holy—a place in His Kingdom, a role in His purpose. But just like those in the parable, people often reject or delay their response to the invitation. They choose comfort over calling. Busyness over obedience. Fear over faith.

Let us not be among those who refuse to come. The invitation is still open. And our yes matters, not just for us, but for the lives God has ordained us to touch.

Maybe your call is to pray.
To teach.
To write.
To serve.
To start something new.
To return to something old.

Whatever it is, it won’t let you go until you respond. The Lord told Jeremiah in no uncertain terms, “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” Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV). Not to mention His declaration of us in Jeremiah 29:11 when He said, “I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God is a God of purpose. He is intentional when He calls us, and we must therefore respond to the call upon our lives. Saying YES to His invitation cements our destiny not only in this life but also in the life to come.

Here’s what I’ve learned, when you say yes to God’s call, doors begin to open. Strength you didn’t know you had begins to rise. Peace settles in your spirit. You’re not chasing anymore, you’re walking in purpose. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV).

So today, I declare: I MUST RESPOND 2 THE CALL.

Not tomorrow.
Not when it’s convenient.
Not when I feel “ready,” but Now.

Because the call isn’t just about me, it’s about the lives I’m meant to reach, the prayers I’m meant to pray, the light I’m meant to shine. Delaying the call delays the blessing, not just for me, but for others connected to my obedience. Let us reflect on Esther, “For such a time as this…” Esther 4:14 (NIV).

If you’ve been feeling that tug, I encourage you: don’t ignore it. Don’t push it aside. Lean in. Ask God for clarity. And then move. Even if it’s just one step. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be available. Make yourself available. What did the prophet Isaiah say? “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 (NIV).

Respond to the call. There’s purpose waiting on the other side.

When we speak of the cross, we often think of salvation, grace, and love. And rightly so. The cross is the ultimate symbol of God's mercy, where Jesus bore the weight of our sins and opened the gates of eternal life. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Then again, the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 5:8, “But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” But to embrace the cross only as a token of comfort is to miss its full weight. The cross cost.

It cost Jesus everything. His dignity, His body, His blood. It cost him betrayal by friends, humiliation by enemies, and abandonment in his darkest hour as explained to us by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 53:3-5. He says,

“ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

 In the gospel of Matthew 27:46, he reports that, “ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.” We are all fully aware that God the Father did not actually forsook Jesus, His son, but the weight of the world’s sin caused Jesus to feel separated from His Father. The cross was not a polished emblem on a necklace. It was rugged, cruel, and soaked with the agony of obedience. Jesus didn’t carry it for appearances; he carried it because it was the only path to our redemption as is written in Hebrews 12:2,  where we are told, “ Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The cross also costs us. When Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24), he is not offering a suggestion. He is revealing the cost of discipleship. The cross we carry is not decorative. It may mean surrendering our pride (Philippians 2:3), forgiving the unforgivable (Ephesians 4:32), letting go of comfort zones, or standing for truth when it's unpopular (2 Timothy 3:12). It may mean daily dying to self so that Christ can live more fully in us as stated by the Apostle Paul to the Galatians, “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).

The modern world prizes convenience, comfort, and personal gain. The cross calls us to the opposite: surrender, sacrifice, and service. The apostle implores us to “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”

 (Romans 12:1-2). The Cross Costs. Following Jesus will cost us our illusion of control, and in return, it will give us something far greater—true freedom, as the Apostle John declares in John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

The cost of the cross is not meant to discourage but to deepen our love and commitment to Jesus Christ. It reminds us that love is not cheap. Grace is free, but it is not without cost. Someone paid for it, and now we are invited into that same journey, to lose our lives so we might truly find them. Jesus tells us clearly, “… If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23-24). The Cross Cost.

So today, let us not flinch from the cross. Let us take it up, not as a burden, but as a holy calling. For though it costs much, it leads to life everlasting, which is clearly explained in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, where Paul tells the church at Corinth, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. He surely shines a clearer and brighter picture of this walk of the Cross.

Finally, as we examine the cost of the Cross, we are compelled to remember that there is a hefty reward for bearing the cost of the Cross. John tells us unequivocally in Revelation 2:10, to “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He admonishes to be ‘faithful unto death.’ In other words, irrespective of the test, trial, or challenge, we must stay true just as Jesus Christ stayed through to the Cross. We must be prepared to suffer with Christ if we must reign with Him (Romans 8:17). Presently, Christians in the northern part of India, which is predominantly Muslim, are being persecuted, beaten, stoned, and killed for proclaiming Jesus. Even as we pray for them, they must be faithful unto death, to inherit the crown of life. Like the Apostle Paul we must all declare, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

 Beloved, The Cross Cost.

WAKE UP & GET 2 WORK

And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it (GENESIS 2:15 KJV).

This week’s message is so thought-provoking that I had to stop for a few minutes and gather my thoughts together to see which way to go with this. The main text of the sermon, although powerful, is very often neglected or forgotten in the body of Christ. In the King James Version, it says, “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). We are definitely reading about our Creator’s intent for each and every one of us.

This text speaks about God, our Heavenly Father, creating us with a plan to put us to work in His garden, which was the world at that time. It says he placed man there to dress it and keep it.  God created this garden not for himself but for mankind and gave mankind the responsibility of its upkeep. According to Pastor Exzabia, to dress it means to serve, to guard, and protect in every aspect of your life, whether in the house of God, the marketplace, as a wife, husband, or child.

This all tells me that with God, placement comes with responsibility, and responsibility is work. God never intended for us to sit idly by and watch others work. There has to be something in that placement that requires my contribution, and pastor Exzabia said it best when he said, “Man was never created or placed somewhere or placed into a position to do nothing.”

Ever so often in the body of Christ, we notice so many among the masses who are anointed but idle, not realizing that they are anointed with purpose to do, to work.  Throughout my life, I have discovered that a person never really knows for sure what they can do until they actually do something. It is in the doing that we discover the call upon our lives. While we sit idly by waiting for someone to tell us what to do, we must recognize even in the uncertainty, we have been chosen, gifted, called and sent. When you are called to start a business, go back to school, write a book or lead a ministry but you keep postponing, you are not lacking in talent, but rather you are lacking in movement.

We must understand that there is no unrighteousness in God when He placed us here. He will not place us here empty of the ability to take care of our world, life, and ourselves. He says in Jeremiah 28:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thought of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Does that sound like a God who is not intentional about you? Too often we treat the anointing as the destination when it is actually the invitation to work. The anointing is the starting point to get to work not the finish line. We need to Wake Up & Get 2 Work, because there is no one coming to do our work for us and saying we are waiting on God when He has already placed and assigned us is being asleep.

James 2:17 (KJV) tells us clearly that “faith without works is dead.” Idleness is disobedience when you know you’ve been called. We often cover fear, perfectionism, procrastination, and ‘waiting on the right time’ behind spiritual patience, but are we really waiting on God, or is He waiting on us?

I firmly believe that God blesses movement and work. Let us look at a few in the bible: Abraham “went,” Peter stepped out of the boat, the woman with the issue of blood pushed through, Peter cast out his net, Moses stretched out his hand, etc., etc. The miraculous always meets us in motion. They didn’t wait for perfect clarity before doing what they did. Proverbs 14:23 tells us, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Small steps in obedience will always create massive waves in purpose.

Remember, you are not stuck, you are merely stationary. Wake up and start moving and it doesn’t require perfection, just participation. Start your day with prayer, prioritize, and proceed with it. God can’t steer a parked car. Start moving in faith. God guides those who step out in faith, even if it is messy or uncertain in the beginning. Apply for the job you are not sure you will get, start the ministry with what you do know, enroll in school even if you don’t know how it will be funded, write the first page of the book you are afraid to start. According to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “You don’t need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

Wake Up & Get 2 Work!

Life has a way of reminding us that success, growth, and fulfillment don’t come by chance; they come by work. Whether it’s in your spiritual walk, personal development, career, or relationships, one thing remains true: you’ve got work to do, and no one can do it for you. Everyone must take the Responsibility of their Own Journey.

We often look for shortcuts or hope that someone will step in and handle the hard parts of life for us, but the reality is, no one can:

• Pray for you like you can pray for yourself.
• Work toward your dreams like you can.
• Heal from past wounds on your behalf.
• Build your faith, discipline, or character for you.

People can support you, but they can’t replace you in the work that needs to be done in your life. According to Philippians 2:12, we must “Continue to work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling.” Your spiritual journey is your responsibility. You must do the work of growing in faith and obedience.

The Bible also tells us that “Faith Without Works Is Dead.” James 2:17 says, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Praying for a breakthrough is important, but prayer must be matched with action. If you want a deeper relationship with God, you must spend time with Him; if you want financial freedom, you must discipline your spending; if you want better health, you must take care of your body.

God gives grace and strength, but He expects us to do our part. Proverbs 14:23 also tells us, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” In other words, just talking about change is not enough; action is required.

Nehemiah is a typical example of a man of God recognizing a job to be done and not waiting to see if someone else will do it. The wall of Jerusalem needed rebuilding, and he went about doing all it took to rebuild it. This is one of the greatest examples of taking responsibility and doing the work.

Nehemiah was living in Persia when he heard that Jerusalem’s walls were broken down and the city was vulnerable. No one else was stepping up to fix it, but Nehemiah knew that if the work was going to get done, he had to take action (Nehemiah 1-6). The lessons we can learn from Nehemiah’s story are that:

• He Prayed and Took Action
  Nehemiah prayed first (Nehemiah 1:4), but he didn’t stop there, he made a plan and went to work.

Nehemiah 2:18 – “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. Praying is essential, but faith must be followed by action.

• He Faced Opposition but Kept Working
  People mocked Nehemiah, saying the wall would never be rebuilt. But Nehemiah didn’t argue, he kept working.

Nehemiah 4:6 – “So we built the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.” When you stay committed to your work, progress happens, even when others doubt you.

• He Refused Distractions
  At one point, Nehemiah’s enemies tried to stop the work by calling him away for a meeting. His response?

Nehemiah 6:3 – “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” When you are focused on your purpose, don’t let distractions pull you away.

Because Nehemiah was on purpose and did not sit idly by looking at the broken walls, the people stayed committed with him and they rebuilt the wall in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). The lesson? When we commit to the work, God will bless our efforts.

Oprah Winfrey’s Journey is a modern example of perseverance and doing the work. Born into poverty and facing multiple hardships, Oprah didn’t wait for someone to make life easier for her. She worked tirelessly, pursued her dreams, and overcame obstacles, becoming one of the most influential women in the world.

She once said, "The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning."

• She didn’t wait for a perfect opportunity, she created one.
• She faced rejection but kept going.
• She put in the work, and her impact is now worldwide.

Just like Oprah and Nehemiah, if we stay committed, keep working, and refuse to quit, God will take our efforts and multiply them. It is all about taking ownership today, right now. We are encouraged to work out our own salvation, our own destiny with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

If you know you have work to do, start today:

• Set a plan and commit to it.
• Stop looking for outside validation because God has already equipped you.
• Put in the effort even when you don’t feel like it.
• Trust that God will bless your obedience and hard work.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Colosse, advises them, “Whatever you do, work at

it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23).” Our work is an act of worship, let us do it with excellence.

As God’s people, we must understand that when God said, “I know the thoughts I think towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 28:11),” He didn’t intend to do all the work of His thoughts for us. God has work for each of us to do, work that will enrich our lives. What He promised is that as we engage in those assignments given to us, He will strengthen and empower us to do them efficiently and effectively. He promised to give us the power to get wealth and to overcome. Failure and quitting are not options in the thoughts of God for His people.

No one can pray your prayers, do your healing, or step into your calling but you. It’s time to rise up and take responsibility for the work God has assigned to you. Galatians 6:9 tells us,  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Let us stay committed to our work, and the results will come.

• We’ve got work to do.
• No one can do it for us.
• Now is the time to get started.

A Prayer for God’s Help!

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for the purpose You have placed in my life. Help me to take full responsibility for the work You have called me to do. When I feel tired, give me strength. When I face obstacles, remind me that You are with me. Let me not be discouraged, distracted, or delayed by fear, doubt, or waiting on others.

I declare today that I will rise up and do the work! I trust that as I step forward in faith, You will guide my steps, bless my efforts, and bring forth a harvest in due time.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.