At an address in Columbus Ohio in 1900, former slave Booker T. Washington kept the room spellbound. This man, who had built Tuskegee Institute to lift blacks out of economic bondage, was revered around the world.

But he said something that surprised more than a few in the audience. He said that one of his main priorities for the Institute was hiring more Bible teachers!

Washington, who had been forced to work in an evil system, once felt powerless. Yes, an American president legally freed the slaves. But Washington’s faith in Christ was the real key in lifting him up.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Are you down and out right now? Are you chained to problems too big for you to overcome? Take Paul’s letter to heart and realize that all things are possible for your future, through faith in Christ. He has perfect strength, all you’ll ever need.

Tell him that today.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your perfect will is more than enough to help us escape a terrible past and future. Our future is what you have told us it will be. Thank you for that blessing. Amen.

The giant redwoods of the American Pacific Northwest are among nature’s most beautiful scenes. As tall as skyscrapers, and big enough to drive a truck through.

It is said that the redwoods are so powerful and strong in part because even these plants have a sense of community. Separated, or as a single tree, the root system is more vulnerable. But planted with partners all around, the picture changes completely.

The redwood becomes tall and strong.

Colossians 2:6-7 says, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

In Christ, we are part of a strong community. Scripture refers to Jesus as the Vine which provides nourishment to the rest. In Him we are confident, safe, and rooted.

If you are feeling vulnerable and without friends, start with the best friend you could ever have. Tell Jesus today that you need Him and His community. It is a lush Kingdom that will never die.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we are so grateful for your love and provision. Help us stand strong together and do the work of your Father. Amen.

Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or even exists? Maybe it’s all some cosmic joke, right?

We’ve all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything.

But that worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean and it seems like it’s an entity that’s trying to break you in half.

That is the very moment God’s ancient and eternal words come to us.

Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Honestly, it doesn’t get better than that! Jesus lives so that you will live forever. And in the interim, He will walk with you and carry you when necessary. He never fails and what’s more, His willingness to never leave us has been proven over and over again, in a billion different ways.

If you need Him right now, don’t doubt Him. Call out to Him. Your circumstances might seem impossible and impossibly unique. Don’t believe it.

Believe Him instead.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you promised you would never leave us. We know that’s true, but help us with our faith in our weak moments. Amen.

Do you like scary movies? Is an evening spent looking through your fingers appealing to you?

It is to a lot of people. Some of us really like to be scared!

But hopefully that doesn’t translate to real life. Screaming in a dark theatre can actually be fun, but you don’t want to live a life of fear.

Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

To be blunt about it, God made us to be fearless. Single mom? A leader under siege? Maybe your situation is something else entirely. But whatever environment you find yourself in, know that God is not about His children being afraid. He gave us a choice in that, as Psalm 23 tells us.

For thousands of years, people have recited that verse while in a tough spot. David wrote it when his life was in serious danger. The words fit all situations and lifestyles and times in history. You are not alone.

God will come through for you. Tell Him today that you need His strength.

Don’t be afraid to do that.

Let’s pray.

Lord, keep us from fear. Keep us focused on your eternal strength and safety. Thank you. Amen.

If you’ve ever been to a trade show, you know that products for the Christmas season are presented and pre-sold in July! Sort of like the Laurel & Hardy film in which they sold Christmas trees in summer!

Hopefully we have better marketing than the comedy duo, but there is one superb gift we can make people aware of year-round.

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

If you’ve found faith in Jesus Christ, you know how good that feels. How peaceful. You naturally want to share this with everyone you meet. This free gift from Jesus is available to anyone, no matter their circumstances.

Now that you’ve been on the receiving end, you truly will understand that it’s not exactly better to give than receive—this is eternal life, after all—but the joy you’ll feel in sharing Christ is a feeling that cannot be matched.

So get out there and share the Good News year-round, not just during the Christmas season!

Let’s pray. Lord, Jesus gave us His all, and we are eternally thankful for that. Please give us many opportunities to share Him with others. Amen.

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See the t-shirt this devotional was inspired by here