Category Archives: Challenges & Difficulty

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April 5, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Prayer, Wisdom & Guidance

We Can Learn from Our Troubles

My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything. [James 1:2-4 (GW)]

Lord, I’ve got a problem; I need your direction. Help me find the words I need; show me what I should do. As I pray, however, I realize that you’ve already answered me. You gave me what I need to know today in the lessons you taught me in the dark moments of yesterday. You taught me well and those experiences will guide me through this problem. Thank you, Lord, for the troubling and challenging times of my life. They have prepared and strengthened me for the trials of today and the tougher challenges of tomorrow. Thank you, God, for giving me guidance; may I be wise enough to follow your advice!

If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. [James 1:5 (GW)]

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March 31, 2014

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Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Patience & Perseverance

How Much Longer, Lord?

God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles comes, but you will be patient. [Colossians 1:11 (NCV)]

Moses spent forty years shepherding sheep and then another forty years shepherding an unruly, ungrateful and (to use his words) “stiff-necked” people. Worse, a journey that could have taken about eleven days was extended to forty years because his people refused to enter the Promised Land when the opportunity first arose. Consider the monotony: forty years of setting up camp, breaking down camp, hearing the same complaints and settling the same arguments, not to mention eating the same food. Now, manna from Heaven is wonderful but forty years of it? How many times did he hear, “Are we there yet?” and, “Manna, again?” If anyone should have been disillusioned, frustrated, and incredibly weary, it was Moses. Yet, Moses hung in there! He is truly an example of not giving up when trouble comes.

Lord, how much longer? Sometimes it seems like no matter what I do, I just can’t seem to make progress. For every step forward, two steps are taken backward. It’s hard to remain enthusiastic when so little progress is made. Encourage me on my life’s journey. Don’t let me lose faith when things don’t go as planned and I have to take the roundabout route instead of the shortest way. Help me learn the lessons that are being taught as I travel the detours of life.

You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. [Hebrews 10:36 (NCV)]

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March 30, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

He Bails Us Out

When people’s steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with their way. If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord holds their hand. [Psalm 37:23-24 (NCV)]

A few seconds into my ascent of a steep Mayan pyramid, I realized I was going to be in trouble. Foolishly (and out of pride), I barged ahead. I knew the scramble up the steep rocks wouldn’t be the hard part for me; it would be the trip back down. I’m fearful of heights and the descent necessitated facing outward and seeing the steepness and height! I easily made it to the peak. The magnificent view took my breath away, not because of its beauty, but because of my fear of the return trip. As I neared the edge to make my descent, I felt the panic begin. I had gotten myself into this predicament but how was I ever going to get out of it? “One step at a time,” was His answer. God held my hand as I slowly sidestepped down the huge blocks of stone. Whenever I paused to look up to see how far I’d come or down to see how far I had to go, I would panic again. The pyramid seemed to get bigger and steeper with every step; I felt like I wasn’t getting any closer to the bottom. “Just keep going, you’ll get there eventually,” were the reassuring words I heard. So, I prayed, trusted God and took it one step at a time. I was okay, not happy, but okay. In fact, in spite of my fear, I found myself encouraging other hesitant climbers.

In our lives, we often charge ahead, knowing full well that we’re likely to end up in trouble. Over and over again, Lord, you have to bail us out of difficult situations. Thank you for being there; forgive us our foolishness when we should know better! Give us sense enough to recognize the difference between expanding our horizons and being fool-hardy or downright stupid! Thank you for holding our hands and guiding us back to safety, one step at a time. When we feel we’re not progressing, thank you, Lord, for making your presence known and urging us on. As you reassure us, thank you, Lord, for enabling us to encourage others we meet along the way.

See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. [Psalm 12:2 (NLT)]

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March 27, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Patience & Perseverance, Prayer

We Have Hope Because We Have Him!

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. [Romans 12:12 (NLT)]

Oh Lord, when we’re tempted to give up, please remind us instead to look up! Lift our eyes off our problems and up to you: our source of hope, strength and safety.

You can have hope without faith, but you cannot have faith without hope! [Randy Furco]

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March 18, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.” [John 8:12 (NCV)]

Oh Lord, sometimes our lives turn bleak and gloomy; the dark shadows of distress and futility hinder our view of you. Shine your light on us. Open our eyes. Help us to see you in the darkness of fear, sadness and discouragement. Free us from our prisons of despair!

You will help the blind to see. You will free those who are in prison, and you will lead those who live in darkness out of their prison. [Isaiah 42:7 (NCV)]

“Shine, Jesus, Shine” by Graham Kendrickpainted lady (american lady) -CLIL58-1WEB

 Lord, the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining.
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us.
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
From the shadows into your radiance.
By the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine;
Fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze;
Set out hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow;
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your Word, Lord,
And let there be light.

 

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March 15, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Word: The Bible, Holy Spirit, Wisdom & Guidance

Let’s Not Get Lost

Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. [Psalm 119:133 (NLT)]

Thank you, Lord, for providing us with all we need to navigate the challenges of life. With the Bible as our guidebook and the Lord Jesus leading the way, we can stay on the right road.

Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns! [Allison Gappa Bottke]

The Christian is not one who has gone all the way with Christ. None of us has. The Christian is one who has found the right road. [Charles L. Allen]