Words of Encouragement

The culture is loud. It is persistent. It is creative in its appeal and relentless in its invitation to conform. And some days it feels like the gap between the Kingdom way and the cultural way is so vast that you wonder if anyone is even noticing the difference you are trying to make. They are noticing. A life that has been genuinely transformed — not performing transformation but actually living it — stands out in a culture of conceit and contention the way a candle stands out in a dark room. You do not have to be the biggest candle. You just have to be lit. Let Holy Spirit keep doing the inside work. Let the total reformation of your thinking keep producing the beautiful discerning life Paul describes. And trust that the One you are imitating — the One who is the Light of the world — is shining through you more than you know. Keep imitating Jesus. The world is watching. And what they see in you just might be the better way they have been looking for all along.

Words of Encouragement

You are not just a physical person having an occasional spiritual experience. You are a spiritual person having a physical experience — and the spiritual dimension of your life is just as real, just as active, and just as important as everything you can see and touch and measure. Your inner being is being renewed right now — today, in this moment, in this season — even if your outer person feels the weight of time and trouble. The difficulties you are facing are not wasted. They are not random. They are producing something of such eternal weight and glory that Paul says there is simply no comparison. Wake up to that today friend. Both eyes open — natural and spiritual. That is the fully alive, fully awake Kingdom life you were designed for. And it is available to you right now.

Beloved child of the everlasting God, if you're in a season of weariness right now, know that you're not alone and this season won't last forever. The same God who never gets tired is available to infuse you with His unlimited strength. Your weariness doesn't disqualify you from His help; it qualifies you for His empowerment. Remember that even young, athletic people get exhausted, so don't feel ashamed of your need for divine strength. The good seeds you've been planting during this difficult season are not wasted - they're creating a harvest that will come in due time. Keep spending time with God, keep doing good regardless of what others do, and keep trusting that those who wait upon the Lord will indeed mount up with wings like eagles. Your strength is being renewed even now as you draw near to the One whose power never diminishes!