GROWING PAINS

I FINALLY learned what challenges are for. As a young faith man, I saw every challenge, every test as the devil attacking . . . I now know that the devil does indeed send attacks that need to be rebuked or resisted . . . I now know that my own desires sometimes lead me into temptation and away from God . . . I now know that I am tested each time I learn a great new concept from God.

SATAN’S CHALLENGES:

· Sickness (God doesn’t put sickness on us . . . He laid it ALL on Jesus . . . He doesn’t HAVE any to lay on us :) Matt 8:17

· Theft (Satan ONLY comes to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY - John 10:10 . . . God owns EVERYTHING . . . He doesn’t need our stuff :)

· Death ( The Bible says that DEATH is the last ENEMY to put under our feet . . . death is an ENEMY.

· Depression (Jesus said He came to bring us LIFE more ABUNDANTLY) John 10:10

· Fear (GOD does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self control) AMPLIFIED BIBLE

GOD’S CHALLENGES:

· Love one another (Just as SOON as you get this teaching, some UNLOVELY and UNLOVING person will come across your path .. at work, or at home, or in your family - WILL YOU PASS THE TEST ??

· Forgiveness (Just as SOON as you decide to walk in forgiveness, someone who is “SANDPAPER” to you will come around - - WILL YOU PASS THE TEST ??

· Faith (You may have a SUPER SPIRITUAL OUTPOURING from God on a Sunday morning .. live in the glow of is ALL DAY, and wake up the NEXT MORNING feeling like there IS NO GOD.)

· Mercy (You may receive a WONDERFUL outpouring of compassion and mercy for the lost only to have your wife, child, or close friend act and speak to you REALLY UGLY.)

MY OWN CHALLENGES:

· Temptation (According to James 1:13-16, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (NKJ)

ASSORTED SCRIPTURES

John 16:33 (KJV)

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:21-23 (NIV)

21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through MANY HARDSHIPS TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD," they said.

23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

On this past St. Patty’s day, I went with Sara on a field trip to a planetarium in Flint. These days, the kids ride to busses with a minimum of chaperones, while the rest of the parents/chaperones have to car pool and drive separately .. well guess what .. that ALWAYS puts me in a car with 3 or 4 ladies because not very many men usually go. One person commented, “Let’s go to Birch Run instead.” I said, “Yeah, I LOVE to shop.” Three ladies turned and stared at me in disbelief. Later, as one of the ladies recounted a touching story, there wasn’t a dry eye in the van .. including mine.

After a short silence, one of the ladies turned to me and asked, ”How did you get in touch with your feelings?” My response was immediate, “Men need PAIN and PRESSURE to connect with their feelings.”

I truly believe that ...

· Life is not ALL pain and pressure, but we WILL be challenged . . . the way we RESPOND determines our maturity and our joy :)

· My leadership was challenged almost ten years ago by a former assistant pastor. It was a TERRIBLE time for me and I wanted to be ANYWHERE but here . . . NOW I wouldn’t trade the experience for the WORLD - it EQUIPPED me for leadership and STRENGTHENED me :)

1 Pet 4:12-13 (NIV)

12 Dear friends, DO NOT BE SURPRISED at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Pet 5:8-11 (NIV)

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 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.

11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.