"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." ISAIAH 55:9

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

As we travel through life, we carry suitcases. What we have stored in those suitcases usually determines where we go. When I travel on a trip, I sometimes buy souvenirs for my family or friends. The funniest thing of all is that my suitcase must transport all these gifts regardless of the amount of space!

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well” (Romans 12:4-6 NLT).

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Lift your eyes to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)

Somehow, in the mysterious ways of the Kingdom, when we acknowledge, “the truth is I’m so weak!”, then His grace facilitates His own super-abundant power to steadily equip us with all we need!

Christ's sovereign presence will go with us as we walk the path being forged for His purpose. It would do us well to remember what the Lord has already spoken and accept the truth when it comes. After all, one of the most beloved carols we sing to celebrate the Christmas season is one that paints a picture of a silent night.

Beyond every border, God has purposefully called us to love and care for one another. We have been called to carry each other’s burdens…just like we read in Galatians 6:2.

It’s in the fires that God does His greatest work and reveals the treasures and wealth hidden in the darkness of our sorrows.

Paul knew that even the most painful circumstances would work to his good and in the process, he would be made more like Christ.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God" (Psalm 42:1,2)

Trust God, no matter what. Life doesn’t go as expected, but God still has a plan. Above all else, guard your heart.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer, found in 2 Chronicles 20, particularly verse 12, is so powerful, simple, and practical! “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” This should be a prayer we pray frequently.

God's Word defies that of which is common and communicates a message of hope that both joy and sorrow have the unique ability to collide.

Friends, it is my prayer and hope that you can each reflect on how each FRUIT of the Holy Spirit is evident in your own life. Take time to record steps you can take to help that fruit continue to grow. What kind of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…are you giving to those around you?

Galatians 5:22-23

By daily following Jesus and being in His presence He will make you into that glorious person who can withstand the storms and pitfalls of life.

When you are overcome with sadness because of tough moments around you, open your heart to God and speak to Him. The wrong perspective will be replaced with the right one.

Leadership is incredibly humbling. It is a refining process in which we have to constantly die to self, for we have not been placed in positions of leadership to serve ourselves, but others. It is when we forget this basic principle that problems arise.

Waiting is the confident, disciplined, expectant, active, and sometimes painful clinging to God, knowing that we will reap a reward.