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.