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This week's Wednesday Word comes from Ephesians 5:15–16: "Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." A reminder to be careful in what we say and do, because others are watching to see whether we live out what we claim to believe — and to live in a way that brings glory to God in every aspect of our lives.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” — Matthew 6:19 This world is not our hope. We can spend our whole lives building something here—our careers, our homes, our reputation, our comfort, our success—and still find ourselves empty when it’s all said and done. Jesus calls us to something greater. What if the people around us could see that we’re not living to build our kingdom, but His? What if they saw us serving when there’s nothing in it for us? Giving when we could keep it. Loving when it’s difficult. Choosing faith when the world tells us to choose ourselves. Living with an eternal perspective when everything around us says, “This life is all there is.” The world is looking for hope. And they should be able to see that hope in us. Not because we have everything figured out. Not because life is always easy. But because our hope isn’t found in what this world can offer. Our hope is Jesus. So let’s stop building our own kingdoms and start building His. Because what we build for ourselves will eventually pass away. What we build for His Kingdom will last.

Following Jesus means more than believing in Him—it means surrendering to Him. In this week’s Wednesday Word, we look at 1 Corinthians 8:9 and a challenging question: What are we willing to lay down for the sake of following Jesus and helping others see Him clearly? We have rights. We have freedoms. But when we choose to follow Jesus, those things no longer have to be about us. Sometimes following Jesus means laying down what we're free to do because loving someone else matters more. 📖 1 Corinthians 8:9 Take a few minutes to watch this week’s Wednesday Word and consider what it looks like to surrender our rights to the One we follow.