[Real Life] Struggles StrengthenPrøve

## Entrust your Heart We must acknowledge that our culture has turned toward disrespecting God. You will realize the world has changed in the past years with news such as: * A Wisconsin federal judge made a decision to declare the national day of prayer “unconstitutional.” * The New York City Department of Education banned the display of The Nativity during Christmas, but the judge found that the display of a Jewish menorah and an Islamic star and crescent were okay to display during Hanukkah or Ramadan since those symbols were considered “secular.” * In sports: Tim Tebow, a quarterback, used to bow down and pray after his team scored a touchdown. When the opposing team sacked him, they would bow down and mockingly pray. That is a disrespect for God, not just for human beings. You may want to cry that you are a victim, but we have the victory in Jesus Christ! We are not victims of any government or anybody. We are reigning on high with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. In John 15, Jesus Christ is going to the cross in about 24 hours and He is saying the world will cry, “Victory! We crucified Him!” But on day three, the stone will roll away, and Jesus Christ will come out victorious! And 2,000 years later, the Church is still here, because we’ve abided in Christ. Great believers struggle. The greatest parents are the ones who struggle because they don’t just let whatever happens, happen. Great fruit comes from great struggle. Jesus will have a great struggle, but He’ll have great fruit through the victory of Easter. So, when we go through difficult times, if anyone mocks us, our cry should not be, “Well, come on guys. Quit!” The cry should be, “I consider it an honor to be named with Jesus.” God says all throughout His Word that we are blessed if we are insulted because of His name. Peter, when speaking about Jesus’ suffering, tells us that, “…they hurled insults at Him and He stayed quiet, and He entrusted His heart to Him who judges justly.” So when you struggle, don’t be alarmed, discouraged, or dismayed. Entrust your heart to Jesus Christ and say… “ Lord, I have victory and strength in You. You’re the Vine. I’m just the branch. I trust You, God. I’m struggling right now. Would You help me?”