This year our faith has been tested, but we have also seen God's faithfulness. God is always with us through every storm. There is no greater time to recognize that God is with us than Christmas when we celebrate Emanuel, which means God with us. God put on flesh and became Emanuel, God with us.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has plans for us that will not harm us. The context of this scripture is that the people of Israel were in a state of great vulnerability. They were in Babylonian captivity, yet the Lord tells them to build houses, plant gardens, and give their sons and daughters in marriage. This does not sound like a short-lived exile; their captivity was going to continue for 70 years in exile, waiting on their deliverance. The Israelites need to focus on the season that they're in so that they can thrive and prepare for the next season.

In our “Spiritually Strong” series, we have been learning about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation. Today, we are talking about the Sword of the Spirit. Even when the enemy attacks us, we can be spiritually strong and focus on God. The word of God defends and strengthens us.