Good Morning,

When I had lost quite a bit of weight after being sick 10 years ago, I decided it was time to get myself in shape so I joined a local Planet Fitness. The first day I attended the site, I watched other people lifting heavy weights, running on the treadmill, and various other activities; to tell you the truth, I was a little jealous because I wanted to be able to lift heavy weights. The thing about weightlifting is that it takes time and persistence to develop the muscles and endurance. Starting off with the smaller weights and only being able to walk for 10 minutes on a treadmill isn’t a problem as long as you keep stretching yourself. In our walk with the Lord, it is much the same. When we come to the Lord, just like the disciples did, he doesn’t expect us to move mountains on day 1; what he does expect from us is that we learn and grow in faith.

My encouragement for you today is that you will learn and grow up in Jesus through persistence, practice, and patience (James 1:3-4). As you go through struggles, you will be tested and you will not always pass those tests but with each time you are tested, you will learn and grow. Learn from your elders in the Lord and seek their guidance always (1 Peter 5:5-10).

Father,

 When we came to you in our weakness with our destroyed life, you put us back together, taught us through the Holy Spirit, and enabled us to deal with the struggles of our lives. Please help me each day to encourage my readers in their walk with the Lord and write in such a way as to reach people where they are.  

I.H.S. MK