The evil one is more powerful than we are and works in opposition to God's will. We need God's power at work in our lives so that when we encounter opposition from the evil one, we can send him fleeing. God promises that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). We dare not resist in our strength; we need and have the power of God's Spirit.

Peter offered his empty boat to Jesus Christ as a pulpit. Even if we don't have an abundance, God wants us to offer what we do have for His service. When we do, God will gladly reward us. His abundance will overflow our emptiness, and everyone will know that God is at work in our lives.

While we are to maintain a balance in our lives by taking a day to rest each week, God never rests from His healing work in our lives. God wants to heal us every day. As we continually seek God, we must always be open to the healing touch Jesus Christ wants to give us.

To receive Jesus' help, we must first acknowledge our helplessness. Jesus prioritized those who admitted their need, like the so-called notorious sinners, while the self-righteous Pharisees rejected their need for Him. When we recognize our shortcomings and confess them to God and others, Jesus is ready to extend His help.

When Jesus spoke about Kingdom values, He left no question about the importance of priorities in life. He pronounced sorrows to shake people out of their selfishness and disobedience to God. He pronounced blessings to awaken joy and gratitude in those who depend on God. By His strong words, Jesus helped people see their true spiritual condition. How we live here on earth will determine our eternal wealth or lack thereof. We must make sure that we are not satisfied with earthly riches to the neglect of our heavenly rewards.

True love for God shows in caring for others. When God transforms us, we become the most effective instruments in reaching others with similar needs. Sharing the Good News is our responsibility after experiencing God's powerful help in our lives, and it brings us great joy as others find hope and new life in Christ.