The apostle Paul was a fighter right to the end. Stand up and fight today – with the Spirit in you, you have more power than you know.

The difficulties of the Karoo made me forget, for a little while, why I even signed up in the first place. How can you push through your struggles and reclaim your joy today?

Struggling up the Karoo hills, I reminded myself to take "small steps, big breaths”. This can help us in our walk with God too, when we find ourselves facing the steepest mountains.

When facing disappointments, remember Uncle Bud Robinson's wisdom: turn your "disappointment" into "His appointment," trusting that God has a purpose for every challenge you encounter. How can you view your current struggles as opportunities for God’s plan to unfold in your life?

Paul warns Timothy of the misguided notion that the Christian faith takes away all your struggle. In fact, difficulties abound for the real Christian – but they are very much worth the trouble.

As Christians we don’t pretend that life isn’t challenging. We acknowledge it, but we also acknowledge that God holds us through the storms.

Paul uses three pictures to show us how to endure the difficulties of the Christian life. Which resonates with you – soldier, athlete, or farmer?

Paul knew that putting God in the centre might result in suffering. But when it happened, he kept God in the centre and refused to let his troubles overwhelm.

God longed for his people to be close to Him, but they refused to come near to Him. Yet, His outstretched hand remained, even as they went into exile.

Zephaniah pronounces woe on Jerusalem for not trusting in God. We may say we believe, but do we trust?

What keeps us ‘two worlds apart’ from God? Sometimes a heartache, or sometimes a sin or mistake makes us avoid Him. These very things should make us run to Him instead.

The disciples were promised power through the Spirit, and what a great measure of power they received! Are you operating in the Spirit’s power today?

Sometimes it seems like God is out of earshot, or not paying attention to us. But Psalm 145 gives us the assurance that God is near when we call.

When we end our prayers with the word “amen”, we are declaring our trust in God. He is a God who keeps His promises, as Psalm 145 points out.

Jesus’ startling presence turned the disciples from panicked to peaceful. He can do the same for you and I today.

Frances Havergal went through some dark moments, but God comforted her through them and she was able to comfort others as a result. This is what all our suffering is about – passing on the same comfort God gives us with others.

Frances Ridley Havergal was one of the great hymnwriters of her day. Some words from her biography inspire us this week – starting with her Father’s quiet rejoicing in God even in his illness.

Wally Herron’s last sermon helped his family and friends cope with his untimely death. His message “God knows” reminds us, even today, that we can trust God even through tragedy.

In a moment of great difficulty, Wally Herron was able to see how God had helped him. He praised God even though he was tired and weary. Let’s do the same.

“Battle Belongs” teaches us that as we fight our battles, God goes ahead of us, and nothing can stand against His power.