Not Always Easy

God’s plan is good. We don’t have to worry when it seems like things aren’t
going well. We can be patient because we can know that God is still good,
and He is still on the throne.

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Remember people like Paul and Peter, who were put in prison for their faith
in Jesus. Even when they were locked up and put in chains, they didn’t lose
hope. They kept praising God. More than once, He got them out of dangerous
situations so they were free again. Eventually, both Paul and Peter were
imprisoned one last time… and put to death. But death will not have the
last word, because Jesus has promised to return bodily to earth and raise
us from the dead, and everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live
with Him forever in restored creation!

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God’s ultimate plan to redeem the world cannot be thwarted. Though our
lives aren’t always easy, we have the sure hope of eternity with Jesus.
Before then, we might not get relief from our suffering, at least not in
the way we hoped, but He is still good.

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When Christians like Paul and Peter were released from prison, they could
have gone on to live easy lives. They could have thought that they’d done
enough for God and could just relax and try not to get caught again. But
instead, they went on spreading the good news about Jesus: that He is the
Messiah, and He died for us and rose from the grave so that all who believe
in Him could be saved. Paul and Peter both continued to serve God despite
the challenges they knew they would face because of it.

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Following Jesus is not always easy. While we might not go through the same
things Paul and Peter did, this life on earth still isn’t perfect and
people can be cruel. We will face many challenges that come, not just from
other people, but also from sicknesses or any kind of setback. But with
Jesus, we can get through it all. His love for us never fails. He has
compassion on us, and “He comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians
1:3-11). God knows what’s best for us. He knows what’s best for His plan.
And He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). We can
trust that no matter what’s in store for us, He will be with us. • Bethany
Acker

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• Why do you think Christians like Paul and Peter continued to spread the
good news about Jesus, even though they kept getting thrown in prison
because of it? (Hint: read Acts 4:13-30.)

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• If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 21:12-13; Acts 5:17-32 and 26:29.

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“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I [Jesus] have overcome the world.” John 16:33b (NLT)

Read Verses:

Acts.12.1-Acts.12.11|Acts.16.22-Acts.16.40|John.16.33