2 Timothy 1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

When you go out and share the gospel message with people who do not normally go to church, there are bound to be times when people object to what you are doing.

Do not be ashamed of what you are doing – you are doing it for Christ and because of what He has done for all of us.

Putting your faith and trust in Christ means believing He has done what He did and will keep His promises no matter what we go through…

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

When we hope in things like winning the lottery, we see our hopes dashed – it is in vain.

When we hope in people who deceive us, we are disappointed because they let us down.

Putting our hope in Christ allows us to see rewards because He gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us after He went back to heaven.

Hope in the promise that Christ will come again and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with all God has promised!

James 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

As we start December we can look forward to Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Christ; but it is not always good news.

There are times when we look at what the world has given us and we despair, wondering whether it is all worth it.

If we can trust in Christ and allow Him to strengthen us and guide us in our lives, we will find the things which test us do make our bond with Christ stronger – because we can see the results when we look for them!