Encouraging Words  Changes and healing are upon us 

By Daniel Bobinski 

Editor’s note: This column introduces a new topic by its author: Encouraging Words. 

The new year has started. In fact, you’ve probably noticed there’s lots of “new” going on around us. And I have a few new things to share with you, as well. 

Long-time readers of Christian Living Magazine know I’ve been writing for this publication for a while. In fact, it’s been more than 10 years. I started by writing columns on a variety of topics that I felt led to address. Then, five years ago, I began a multi-year series on the topic of agape love, examining each aspect of love that the Apostle Paul listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Then I spent a few years exploring symbolism in Scripture. 

But now, with 2025 upon us, I feel led to address spiritual issues I believe are important to heal and empower the Body of Christ. I’m sensing, along with many fellow believers I know, that God is about to do something big – not just in the United States, but throughout the world. 

One reason for this belief is because I see God stirring people to search for truth. One tangible reason for saying that is because Bible sales are WAY up. Even secular publications are noticing the phenomenon. A December 2024 article in Fortune magazine pointed out that the number of Bibles sold in this country increased 46.4% from 2019 through 2023. The article states, “In 2019, Americans bought 9.7 million Bibles. Last year, that number jumped to 14.2 million. And in the first 10 months of this year, the number has already hit 13.7 million.” 

That last number shows that the increasing sales trend is continuing. According to Circana BookScan data, Bible sales in the United States were up 22% through the end of October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 (the latest data available as of this writing). 

These numbers are even more dramatic when one realizes that in the same 12-month period (Oct 2023 through Oct 2024), the increase for all print book sales across the board was less than 1%. 

Simply stated, it’s become obvious that God is now actively drawing more people to Himself. 

This trend has been noted by many other believers, such as Christian author, speaker, and radio host Eric Metaxas. Not too long ago, Metaxas wrote, “In a world increasingly characterized by darkness, the light of Christ is shining brighter and drawing people to seek answers in Scripture.” 

Last year, Mark Cowart, senior pastor of Church for All Nations in Colorado Springs and host of the weekly TV show, “Victorious Faith,” stated that he sees God already moving to draw in a multitude of new believers. In May of 2024, Cowart said, “The last great move of God has already started. I believe that so much of what you have gone through in the last several years and even decades will soon begin to make a great deal of sense. There is a mighty Army of God Rising, and it is my prayer that you will join the ranks.” 

Cowart’s prayer is important. Allow me to quote the Apostle Paul, writing in Romans 10:14-15. 

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” 

I know not everyone is called to evangelize, but God equips every believer with skills to contribute to the building of the Body of Christ. Now is the time for those skills to be used! 

As for me, one thing I’m doing now is joining author Cherie Sheridan in a twice-weekly podcast called “Heal the Broken Hearted with Cherie Sheridan.” The show can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Buzzsprout, and iHeartRadio. It can also be found on YouTube, Rumble, BitChute, and Substack. To find the show, simply search for that title on any of those platforms. New shows are posted twice weekly. 

The reason I’m doing this show with Cherie is because so many believers I know (both men and women) are carrying emotional scars and burdens that weigh them down, and I want to see them set free from that. In other words, people might be saved by the blood of the Lamb and be guaranteed eternal life with God, but here on Earth those emotional wounds can weigh heavy. Emotional wounds from our past – even going back to childhood – can inhibit our ability to allow God to love others though us. 

Allow me to recommend listening to the podcast. 

Another recommendation I’d like to make is reading the book “Power in Praise” by Merlin R. Carothers. This 1972 book is not about corporate praise and worship, it’s a book about prayer, and believe me when I tell you it transformed how I pray. If a move of God is going to realize optimal impact for bringing people to Him, us believers will need to be praying for it. 

Bottom line, we need to remember that Satan loves to take what is beautiful and ruin it, but God loves to take that which has been ruined and make it beautiful once again. It’s never a bad time to turn to God and say, “How can I best be used by You today?” 

God will use us if we die to self (surrender to Him) and make ourselves available. We may need to get healed of some emotional wounds to be more effective for His kingdom. We may need to pray more effectively. But one thing is sure: God wants to use each of us for His glory. Are you willing? 

Daniel Bobinski, Th.D., is an award-winning and best-selling author and a popular speaker at conferences and retreats. Reach him at [email protected] or (208) 649-6400.