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No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. --Romans 8:37 You don’t have to be an athlete to recognize the name Nike® and its famous swoosh. Perhaps you’re aware that the founders of this company named their shoe after the Greek goddess of victory. But here’s something you may not know, the word nike comes from another Greek word that means “over and above victory.” Imagine if you and I could meet the challenges and overcome the obstacles of life just by putting on a pair of athletic shoes. Now, of course, no shoe can do that for us. But I know someone who can. Christ Jesus has made it possible for us to conquer in every situation! In fact, God has called you to be more than a conqueror… a super conqueror in him! It’s absolutely true.   So let me ask you something. Are you just surviving today? Or are you thriving? If you’re just getting by, then you need to know this: Jesus wants you to experience the thrill of moving forward from victory to victory. Even if you feel more like a chump than a conqueror, God’s plan for you hasn’t changed. If you spend more time sliding back down the mountain than standing on top of it, God’s promise is the same. You are a champion… a super conqueror in him. Resist the temptation to give in to doubts. Take your stand with Christ Jesus and see what he will do! YOU ARE A CHAMPION… A SUPER CONQUEROR IN HIM! The Power of Encouragement by Dr. Paul Chappell “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:13–15 In April of 2016, Jim Herman fulfilled a lifelong dream when he won his first PGA tournament at the age of thirty-eight. Ten years earlier, after trying and failing repeatedly to qualify as a professional golfer, Herman gave up on his dream and got a job at a golf course in New Jersey as an assistant pro. A conversation with the owner of the club, Donald Trump, changed the course of his life. After his win, Herman told an interviewer, “I got into a conversation with Mr. Trump. He said, ‘Why are you folding shirts and giving lessons? Why aren’t you on the Tour? I’ve played with Tour players—you’re good enough!” Inspired to try again, Herman did make the tour and reached his dream by winning the Shell Houston Open. Our words have enormous power in the lives of others (and the words we tell ourselves silently have enormous power in our own lives). So it is vital that we use that great power for good rather than evil. The careless words that we speak without thinking, the cruel words that we utter without caring, and the critical words that we declare without rightly judging are not harmless. They can leave deep wounds and echo for years in someone’s heart and mind. God commands us to use our words to encourage and lift up others. Eliphaz gave this testimony about his friend Job, “Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees” (Job 4:3–4).   Today’s Growth Principle:  The tongue has great power—use yours wisely to encourage and build up others.