“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”

God is with you - today and every day. You have no reason not to be strong and courageous. You have no reason to fear. God will deliver.

“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”

Give your sins up to God and you will be forgiven. Every time. Without question.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”

Forgiveness is a key component in faith, yet it is so difficult in practice. I struggle to understand how we are all forgiven by God so easily when it is so hard for us to forgive others. We seek retribution for the slightest issues. We want “payback” for the driver that was rude on the way to work. We carry pain, fear, and anger with us everywhere we go. Forgiveness removes all of these problems. Simple, but not easy.

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

It’s pretty clear from reading the Bible that God wants us (His people) to know that he gives us strength to get through anything. That if we focus on the Lord, we can accomplish great things.

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Nothing loves more powerfully than God.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

All you have to do is believe. That’s it. It’s really that simple.

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

Throughout the Bible, God makes examples of those who seem weak yet have great faith. He continually shows that with faith, weakness is irrelevant.

‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’

The word of God are not just old words in a dusty book. The word of God is revlant to you today, to your life and your actions.

‘For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ‘

Bitterness and anger will not get you to where you want to be. Only forgivness and love can get you there.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Use the power God gives you every day and in all you do.

‘If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. ‘

I will remember this passage as I workout and push myself physically. The Lord is my strength. I will RUN and not grow weary.

”‘but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, “

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

It’s pretty simple really - be humble, pray, seek God, stop doing sinful things. God will fix it all. >“if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

“Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:6-9

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“Moses said to the Lord , “May the Lord , the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord ’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”” Numbers 27:15-17