Some of us have faced difficulties in the past year or the beginning of this one. They can seem to push us to the edge. The enemy wants to keep pushing until we get to the place that it seems hopeless. God has a high place for each of us and the enemy wants to cause us to fall from this place. When Jesus was faced with a situation that could push him off the cliff, he passed right through the crowd (Luke 4:30). The same spirit that lives in Jesus lives in us. Don’t be a Christian pushover! Jesus will come and interfere with these situations and difficulties in your life. He is doing this for our good to free you from the bondage of the enemy. Jesus will step in to your life and say “Its enough!” He came to destroy sin and the works of the enemy. The enemy intends evil but God in his breakthrough power intends the best for your life.

At the time of Jesus's birth, Herod was disturbed and sought to have him killed. In our generation we are starting to see a similar turn against the gospel. Sin is no longer called sin. It is even called good and glorified. Bible-believing faith-filled Christians are becoming the minority. When persecution comes, what is our response? Initially it can be anger, but in Jesus we see that we are to act in love and keep on with the ministry to which he has called us.

We all have blind spots but God sees beyond our outward façade. He is able to see those things in our heart that will to take us down and make us turn away from Him. We must ask God for the grace to walk humbly before Him and allow Him to deal with anything that will take our strength away. As we begin the new year may our ears be attentive to His warnings and may our heart humbly obey His Word.

The Christmas narrative tells of an angel coming to some shepherds and sharing the Good News of a Savior being born. The shepherds heard the message, went to see the baby, then told everyone about Him. We too must hear the gospel message afresh and renew our astonishment at what Jesus has done. We will see the power of the gospel to miraculously change lives, and we'll be so astounded that we can't help but tell people about it.

The Creator of Heaven and Earth invites us to know Him. Yet in a prosperous society like ours, pursuing God can be a challenge. Busyness and self pursuits can start to take priority over God. Life doesn't always go as we hope though. Tough times are inevitable. It is in these hardships that knowing God will give us the strength and faith that we need. God loves you as much as He loves His Son Jesus. It is His delight to hold your hand and walk with you through difficult circumstances.

Many of us live our Christian life spark to spark. Like Saul, we get momentary touches of God that wane. We enjoy the emotion and passion that is stirred up at conferences or church services, but we are unwilling to let Jesus change our life. Sparks can be good, but they are only meant to be the beginning. God wants to use them to produce a sustained and increasing fire of His presence in our heart.

We are living in a generation when lukewarm, mediocre faith will not do. God is looking for a people he can use to glorify His name. We can't live vicariously through the stories of others. God wants to give us our own story that we can share with others so that they are encouraged and stirred up with faith to believe God for their story. Don't shy away from your weakness. That is where God wants to show himself strong. God wants to turn your bemoaning into boasting—in Him and for His glory.