The hard truth is: we are failures! But the solution isn't positive self-talk. The solution is Jesus. He has overcome the world, in spite of our failures! What we need is not more self-confidence, but more Christ-confidence. He gives us everything we need to live the victorious life in Him. Take heart! Jesus has won. Trust Him.

If I trust in Jesus as Savior, I am in Christ.

In John 16, the disciples will soon experience deep sorrow, and will feel like outsiders. Yet Jesus explains that in "a little while" they will have clarity, their grief will become joy, and they will be "insiders" with the Father! Jesus turns it all around. Rejoice in the great reversals won by Jesus' death and resurrection.

Jesus' instructions in John 16 to the disciples to prepare them for His departure didn't involve new strategies or special equipment. Instead, Jesus gives them words and His Spirit. Their job is simply to embrace His words and His Spirit will take care of the rest! To thrive in enemy territory we often need to stop searching for the spectacular, and simply embrace the words of Christ.

As Jesus explains in John 15, when we thrive in our union with Jesus, we will experience hatred from the world - the same hatred He experienced. It is hatred rooted in hatred for God. The more we thrive in Jesus, the more we may face this hatred. Thankfully, He has given us His Spirit to help us bear witness of Jesus and thrive.

I am accountable to God.

In John 15, Jesus explains the key to bearing fruit, experiencing fullness of joy and displaying love to one another. He explains how to thrive...in fact, he commands it because it all comes from Him. Learn to thrive in your union with Jesus, the true Vine.

I am designed by God and dependent upon God.

What is love, exactly? A feeling? Commitment? It's complicated enough in our human relationships! How do we love God, who isn't physically present with us, who we can't see? See how Jesus encourages us to love Him by embracing His Word.

I bear God’s image and have God-given purpose.

The remedy for a troubled heart is faith. The key is not the strength of that faith - that would just leave us troubled that our faith is not strong enough. No, the key is the object of our faith. See how you can calm your troubled heart by believing in Jesus: the way, the truth, and the life!

In the end, every king and every kingdom will fail until the perfect King comes. As we start the new year, find real hope in God, whose mercies are new every morning. And whatever the year brings - rise or fall - hope in the Perfect King.

Isaiah brings God's message of hope in this passage. He tells them that their trouble will turn to peace, their gloom will turn to joy, and their darkness will turn to light. Why? Because the Prince of Peace is coming. In troubled times, hope in the Prince of Peace.

In the book of Micah, things are looking hopeless for the people of Judah. God uses Micah to bring a prophecy about God's Eternal Ruler to be born in little Bethlehem that was meant to keep them hoping in God's promises rather than their circumstances. In dark times, we too can hope in God's Eternal Ruler.

God would come in the flesh as Immanuel (God with us) to fulfill His promises and save His people. Because God Himself fulfills His promises, hope is never lost. Do not be afraid, God-with-us will keep His promises.

In epic fashion, as the serpent, Adam, and Eve ruin God's perfect creation, God promises that there will One to come who will slay the Serpent. Hear this prophecy in Genesis and understand what it means to find victory in God's Serpent-Slayer.

As Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, He tells them exactly what they are to do to show the world they are His followers. He tells them exactly what it looks like to be a Christian.

As much as we hate to admit it, like Judas we are betrayers. Each of us, knowing who Jesus is, has chosen to commit the very acts of sin that put Him on the cross. Yet He loves us. Come to the Savior who loves even those who betray Him.

Jesus shows the disciples His love and what He came to do - to get messy as He cleans up our filth. And He is showing them exactly what they need to do - humbly help others find cleansing in Jesus, too. In perfect love, Jesus cleanses our filth so we can humbly help others get clean too. Watch, rinse, and repeat.

Many who encountered Jesus, the light of the World, tried to ignore the truth through distractions - giving their attention to other things. In John 12:37-50, Jesus calls the crowds to believe in Him while there's still time. What is distracting you from Jesus? Believe in Him before the night falls.