Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. … Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. … In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. … Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. … No one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. … In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, discharge all the duties of your ministry. … For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God. … For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. … And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

2Ti 2:3, 2Ti 1:8; Is 55:4, He 2:10, Ac 14:22, 1Th 3:3, 2Ti 3:12; 2Ti 4:5, Ep 6:12-13, 2Co 10:3-4, 1Pe 5:10

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.