1. Problems and Challenges
What God wants you to Remember
11 March 2018

2. Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities
Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities. The problems we face will either defeat us or develop our abilities – depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately most people fail to see how God wants to use problems and challenges for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. Here are ways God wants to use the problems in your life:
Romans 12 : 1, 2: “ I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service,,. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
God wants you to remember that there are changes that you need to make in your life in order that He may fulfil His promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life.

3. God uses problems to DIRECT you
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways. (Proverbs 20:30): “Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.”

4. Quit Worrying
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that He is here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you choose to fret over every little thing that comes your way?

5. God uses problems to INSPECT you
People are like tea bags… if you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem or a challenge? What do problems reveal about you? (James 1:2,3) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

6. Have Faith
He sees a lot of things from up there that you can’t see from where you are. Have faith in Him that He knows what He is doing. Trust Him; He will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Him. How hard can trust be?

7. God uses problems to PROTECT you
A problem or challenge can be a blessings in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem – but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management’s actions were eventually discovered. (Genesis 50:20) “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done. The saving of many lives.”

8. Talk to Him
He wants you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know He is in control. But there’s one thing you should never forget. Don’t forget to talk to Him – often! He loves you. He wants to hear your voice. He wants you to include Him in on the things going on in your life. He wants to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Him. He wants to be your dearest friend. (Psalm 37 vs 1) Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong.

9. Be Patient
He managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Him a little longer than you expect to handle something on His to-do-list? Trust in His timing, for His timing is perfect.

10. Be Kind
Be kind to others, for He loves them just as much as He loves you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but He still loves each of you, including all the differences.

11. Love Yourself
As much as He loves you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by Him for one reason only – to be loved, and to love in return. He is a God of Love. Love Him. Love your neighbours. But also love yourself. You are very precious to Him. Don’t ever forget that!

12. God uses problems to BUILD our character
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders and can develop our abilities. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you’re going to take with you into eternity. “We can rejoice when we run into problems… they help us to learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and help us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.” (Romans 5:3,4)

13. Here ‘s the point: God is at work in your life – even when you do not recognize it or understand it! But it’s much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him! Jeremiah 29:11 – 13 serves as a good reminder to encourage us!

14. Reading: Jeremiah 29 vs
¹¹ “For I know the plans I have for you.” Declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.
¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

15. Trust Him
Once you’ve given your burdens to Him, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Him. Have the faith that He will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problem with finances? Put it on His list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? Put it on His list. He wants to help you. All you have to do is ask.

16. Leave it Alone
Don’t wake up one morning and say, “well, I’m feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here.” Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? You gave your burdens to Him and He’s taking care of them. He also renew your strength and cover you in His peace. Leave them with Him and forget about them.

17. Share
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven’t heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

18. Put it on the List
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. Not your list. Put it on His to-do-list. Let Him be the one to take care of the problem. He can’t help you until you turn it over to Him. God can take care of anything you put into His hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known. He takes care of a lot of things for you that you never even realise.

19. God uses problems to CORRECT you
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probable learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something – health, money, a relationship – by losing it. “It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:71)

20. From what we have just spoken about
GOD wants us to remember : -

21. Jesus Christ encouraged Himself
One city after another had rejected Jesus, even after He had done may mighty works in them. He had no alternative but to rebuke them in the severest terms. But precisely at the point He encouraged Himself when “at that time” He lifted up His heart and voice to the Father and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was Your good pleasure” (vs 25-26). If vast areas had turned their back on Christ there were always those who ardently followed Him and deeply loved Him. This is still the case today.

22. While the vast majority of people have not taken up their cross to follow the Lord Jesus Christ wholeheartedly, there are remnants who believe. There are always people in every part of the world to whom the Lord Jesus Christ is so dear, that nothing will take away their longing and their desire to serve Him and to live for him. That is not all. Jesus Christ still calls people, even those who have been bitter towards Him, to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (v28) As it happens, amongst those who are coming to Christ are many who have deserved His stern rebuke for having been hardened to His word and Gospel. As long as there is a Christ like that, there is hope for every sinner who comes to put faith in such a Redeemer.

23. Jesus Christ and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Many people are troubled about the sin Jesus warned against, that is the sin against the Holy Spirit. In the presence of the Pharisees He warned these, His enemies, that they were in danger of committing a sin that would never ever be forgiven. What is this sin? It is not a sin against the Lord Jesus Christ, for the Saviour Himself said that sin against Him would be forgiven, but “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” As Jesus Christ is the door of entrance to God the Father, so no one can become a Christian without the convicting and converting work particularly through the teaching and preaching of the Word of God, resistance against Him renders the sinner liable to committing this unforgiveable sin.

24. Genuine Christians cannot commit this sin
Genuine Christians cannot commit this sin. It is something done by those who resist the Holy Spirit once too often when He is at word in bringing sinners to Christ. Brownlow North, the famous British preacher, once told students at Cambridge University that if he had not turned to Christ the night he came under conviction of sin and trusted Christ for his salvation, he would have committed the unforgivable sin, for the Holy Spirit having worked in him before was giving him one last chance to repent. Thankfully he did, and was saved by grace.