Do you ever wonder why some Christians experience challenges in one part their lives, and others experience different types of challenges. Is it just random or is God involved in how these things are happening?

Isaiah, the old testament prophet was telling the people God’s view of their situation in Isaiah 28:26-29, saying, “He [a farmer] knows just what to do, for God has made him see and understand. He doesn’t thresh all grains the same. A sledge is never used on dill, but it is beaten with a stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cummin, but it is beaten softly with a flail. Bread grain is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher and gives the farmer wisdom.”

In this passage, Isaiah is explaining to the people that God is like the farmer, and people are like the seed. God knows what experience he needs to put someone through to most effectively develop them. So when we are going through experiences we should ask ourselves what is God doing and how is he using this experience to make me a better Christian.

Dear Lord thank you for caring for each one of us, enough to work on us and help us improve. May we graciously accept the challenges you put before us as exercises to make us stronger and better Christians. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

How often we get trapped in feeling sorry for ourselves, sour mood and attitude, mad a God or other people because we don’t have what we want. The antidote for this is written in 1 John 2:8, “and as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in.”

By turning our attention away from ourselves and toward others, we are living the way Jesus did. Verse 6 says, ” Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.”

Dear Lord, Help us overcome our focus only on ourselves, and focus on sharing your love with others. We will then realize the peace and joy this provides. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In our lives I believe that the biggest challenges and struggles we encounter are caused by the devil and his evil. In Ephesians 6:12 Paul writes, “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.” These forces are smarter and stronger than we are. They tempt us with things that draw us closer to their evil, one small step at a time; Drugs, pornography, fortune tellers, stories about ghosts and demons, and the like. We think these things are harmless but they are the lures to pull us in further.

We should stay away from these lures, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8, “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” This will help prevent us from being exposed to the lures of the devil.

Only God can help us if we are caught in the many evil snares of the devil. Psalm 145:18 says, ” He is close to all who call on him sincerely.” Sincerely calling on God means we submit to Him, turning away from those behaviors, people, and activities we know are wrong for us, and putting our trust in God to get back on the right track.

Paul gives us hope in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Dear Lord, help us and those we love turn our backs on the lure of evil and submit ourselves to you. thank you that we know with you we can overcome any challenge this life sends us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You may have heard it said, “God gives you what you pray for or something better.” People who put their faith and trust in God can believe this and see it in their lives. People who do not believe often only see the times that “bad” things happen to people who believe in God, and use this to question believers.

Psalm 25:14 in the Living Bible translation describes one reason why this happens, “Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.” It sheds some light on why people who don’t believe cannot understand faith.

When we first put our trust in God, surrender ourselves to his will, we then can know that he is guiding and protecting us. It may not be exactly in the ways we want or ask, but we know his ways are better. David says in Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation–so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the confidence we can have that you are always there for us. Help us share this faith with others so that they may come to you and experience this confidence that leads to peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

How often do you encounter situations where people in your church or your family are continuously complaining and expecting the worst, using one small negative experience as an excuse to expect everything that follows to be terrible? I call it the Chicken Little mentality, after the children’s story about the chicken who was convinced that the sky was falling because one acorn fell on his head.

The solution is to put our focus and faith on God.

This situation occurs in the book of Exodus, while the Jews are leaving Egypt, and Pharaoh’s armies are chasing them. Exodus 14:11-14 says, “And they turned against Moses, whining, “Have you brought us out here to die in the desert because there were not enough graves for us in Egypt? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Isn’t this what we told you, while we were slaves, to leave us alone? We said it would be better to be slaves to the Egyptians than dead in the wilderness.” But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch, and you will see the wonderful way the Lord will rescue you today. The Egyptians you are looking at you will never see them again. The Lord will fight for you, and you won’t need to lift a finger!”

The subsequent verses tell the story of the parting of the Red Sea and destruction of Egypt’s armies.

One leader, with his faith in God, overcame their Chicken Little mentality.

Dear Lord, help us be the faithful leaders in our churches and families to overcome the fears and negativity, and put our trust in you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.