You always have help (3)

The apostle John was writing to believers in Asia Minor who were experiencing heavy persecution on every side. They were afraid and tired, and may have been starting to feel like this 'living for God' just wasn't worth it. How could they keep going back to God when all they seemed to do was fail and get attacked by outsiders? And we can ask the same question.

The answer, like to any good Sunday School question, is Jesus. When Jesus stretched out his nail-pierced hands on the cross, he 'stripped the rulers and authorities of their power and made a public spectacle of them' (Colossians 2:15 GWT). Satan wants us to be separated from God, but to do that he has to get through Jesus. Nothing can separate us from Jesus. Because of Jesus, 'the one who is in the world' (see 1 John 4:4), whose aim is to harm us, has already been defeated.

We are assured: God has 'given [us] authority over all the power of the enemy' (Luke 10:19 NLT). Whatever it is we're facing, we can declare our authority over it, through Jesus - something Satan would rather we forgot, dismissed or ignored.



So what now? Feeling that life is a bit hard? You can start afresh today, knowing that Jesus won your battles on the cross. Imagine Jesus right next to you as you tackle any hard relationships or situations. Wherever you are, take Jesus with you - he gives you victory.





— SCRIPTURE —

'God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil.' 1 John 4:4 NCV
— SOULFOOD —

Amos 1:1-5:17, Matt 20:17-28, Ps 119:137-144 , Pro 18:22-24