When Jesus calls us to Himself, He follows that call with many a trial and difficulty.

Why?

Why does following Jesus not make things easier for me, either for my finances, my health and my overall prosperity?

It's almost impossible to avoid the temptation!

But with God's help, we must resist it fiercely.

It is so easy too be caught up and tempted to trust in the offerings of people and this world.
The reason: What is offered seems so good?

But is it wise? 

Where does it end?

Being sensitive to our sin means being sensitive to the weaknesses attached to it. And these weaknesses can prove immensely discouraging.

We do hope and long for that day when they shall be no more, but until then, is there hope in the midst of them in the present day?

Faith is a wonderful gift of grace!

Yet having been given, it needs to grow, and we have a responsibility in that matter.

How...how do we grow and strengthen our faith?

Do you sometimes find that your despair in a world so full of sin and hatred towards God makes you want to give up?

Do you need motivation to maintain your witness and carry on?

We cannot escape it, either as an experience we face in the loss of loved ones and friends, or as the inevitability of life itself.

Is there any hope?

It is terribly unsettling to be found doubting our faith, or our love for Jesus.

Have you ever known this?

What can we do to counter it?

Let's face it: There are dark clouds rising on the horizon, clouds that threaten ever increasing persecution towards God's people!

And such threats do not require living in a communist or muslim country.

Persecution in the West is increasingly ominous!

We live in a post-Christian world? 

And with this, a world whose animosity toward Biblical Christianity has increased to almost. hysterical levels!

What are we to do? How ought we to react?