The Bible tells us that we may go through struggles and temptations. When we go through these struggles God will help us through His Holy Spirit so that we are not tempted more than we can handle. God will also be our guide through the challenges we face and help us find a way to overcome them.”No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13″

Romans 3:23 teaches us that we have all sinned and fallen away from God. Jesus came to earth and died for our sins because He was and is the only one that can bridge the gap between God and people. We should trust in God knowing that regardless of what we are going through He loves us and desires to help us overcome. We have victory through Jesus. Amen

We see that Jesus uses John as an example that there were many people who flocked to hear John.  It was as if they were about to take the Kingdom of Heaven by force. This has continued. Since “the kingdom of heaven,” has been preached, there has been a rush to hear it. Those people were pressing into the message to obtain the blessing, as if they would take it by violence. He says, people had pressed around him and John since they began to preach. There is no doubt here to the manner in which salvation is sought by individual sinners, but it is simply a record of the fact that multitudes had rushed around him and John to hear the gospel.

Matthew 11:12

“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. (NIV)

 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. (NLT) 

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. (ESV)”

Jesus Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God. Reconciliation is the work of God through Christ by which we are saved and promised life with God. When we are united with God He remains perfect and never changes. But God changes us. God in His love gave His beloved Son to die a substitutionary death for all sinners. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV), “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” Praise God for His Son and that we are saved through Him. Amen

It is Christ who gives us strength during hard times. Phillipans 4:3 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” God is loving and powerful when we put our trust in Him, He will not let us down. God is faithful towards us and desires the best for us. The Bible was written as God’s guide for us. Psalms 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”. It’s great news to know that God left His Word on earth to guide us, and that the Holy Spirit also guides us. Amen

The Bible teaches that God will not hold our sins against us if we accept Jesus. Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”” That means there is no longer a record of our sins. When Jesus died on the cross He covered all our sins by His blood. He’s both forgiven our sins and forgotten them. That is great news that nothing will separate us from God’s love. Jesus overcame the powers of darkness. Christ stands before God on our behalf interceding for us. Satan tries to bring up our past sins but God is the defense against falsehood. The charges Satan brings against us are null and void before God. Our sins were placed under Christ’s precious blood, and we are cleansed before God. Praise God for his amazing love. Amen

Paul often encouraged the churches and believers. During tough times he trusted in Jesus. Philippians 1:29 says, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” Paul rejoiced much in his sufferings and when things continued to challenge his faith. He prepared a harvest for the Lord. There was nothing that stopped Paul’s obedience to God. When Paul was in jail he wrote many letters encouraging believers. Paul was a true warrior for God who helped bring the message of God’s grace to the gentiles. 1 Timothy 2:4 says, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” That teaches us that Jesus doesn’t want even one person to go to hell. God’s desire is that everyone be saved. Praise God for His love and grace. Amen

When Jesus came to earth He offered a radical message to love our enemies and pray for them. This was at odds with the Jews eye for an eye from the Torah. Jesus came to earth and preached a message of love. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” It’s a fine balance that should be maintained we should love our enemies and pray for them. However, sometimes we may need to separate ourselves from them if it causes us to stumble. It’s good to pray for our enemies and that God will transform them. When we pray for others it helps transform us to be more like Christ. Praise God for His love and mercy. Amen

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the savior of all people that receive Him so that they will have eternal life. “He has a general good-will to the eternal salvation of all men thus far that He is not willing that any should perish… He desires not the death of sinners; He is thus the Saviour of all men” (Matthew Henry).” 1 Timothy 4:10 says, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” Praise God that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. God came not for good people as no person is without sin but He came to atone for sinners on the cross. It’s great to know that God came, walked this earth, died and rose from the dead. Amen

“John:1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John:1:2: The same was in the beginning with God.”

The Bible teaches that Jesus always existed. It was through Jesus everything on Heaven and earth was created. Jesus is God and came in the flesh as both man and God. Jesus is the Word talked about in John. Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).” It is through Jesus we are forgiven. The Good News is Jesus rose from the dead and is alive in Heaven today. When Jesus left earth He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in all those that receive Him. John 1:12 says, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” We are children of God and He loves us. Amen

God loves us and desires to help us along the path we call life. God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). We sometimes seek meaning in relationships, sports, hobbies but life’s true meaning is to know Jesus Christ. Just as God led the churches in the old days He desires to lead his people and churches now. God has promised that He will always stand by our side, “Never leave us or forsake us”. When times get hard God is still with us in our suffering. Christ knows what suffering is like and can relate to our hard times. Jesus suffered greatly on earth so that we could be blessed with the gift of eternal life. Jesus was 100% obedient to God even to the point of dying on a cross for our sins. Praise God for His plans for us, amazing grace, and love. Amen