Paul knew that only through strengthening his relationship with God was he able to both abound and be abased. When we are in trouble, we need to contact God first.

Paul emphasized the power of God living in us through the Holy Spirit to enable us to develop into His family. Through God's power, we will triumph over death.

God lovingly teaches His children, just as a perfect parent. As children cry out to their parents, so human nature drives God's people to complain to Him.

Only by combining the head, heart, and will can we attain full growth and maturity, godly character, and a mirror image of Jesus Christ.

We may have guilty consciences like Joseph's brothers and self-pity like Jacob, but we can break through if we acknowledge God as Jacob and Elisha did.

In desperation, we cry out, 'Lord, give me strength!' When we do this, what kind of strength are we asking for: physical, mental, or moral and spiritual?

Hardship is not removed from our spiritual trek, but God strengthens us to endure and overcome through our afflictions. Suffering is a training ground.

Christ does not remove His people's trials, but He provides help for those going through them, using the cleansing power of the trial to heal their minds.

God granted humans a limited measure of power and dominion at creation, but not until the Day of Pentecost of 31 AD did their potential become fully operative.

The death of a loved one can be one of the most transformative experiences of life because of how profoundly it reveals God's presence, comfort and purpose.

Paul heard continuous bad news, but he learned to control himself, controlling his anxiety by thinking positively and wholesomely.

God is absolutely faithful to finish what He started, knowing the end from the beginning. Our strength is dependent upon the relationship we have with God.

We are in the battle of our very lives, facing the three formidable fronts of the world, Satan, and our own flesh. We must be strong in the Lord.

Jacob Collier defines a hero as a person who reveals to us the things that are possible for us to accomplish, including enduring the most difficult hardships.

The Holy Spirit always inspires loving, wise, sound-minded actions according to God's will. This helps us discern true guidance from other spirits.

Like Elijah, we must feed ourselves on spiritual food, preparing ourselves for something beyond our current abilities, listening for the still small voice.

Abraham embodied living by faith. Through perpetually living in a tent, he demonstrated his complete trust and reliance upon God.

There is a critical difference between self-examination and self-preoccupation. We must accurately assess our spiritual state without becoming self-absorbed.