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By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. The uncertainty and suffering from the fall of man can bring us closer to God. By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. The uncertainty and suffering from the fall of man can bring us closer to God.
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By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • The uncertainty and suffering from the fall of man can bring us closer to God.
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • The uncertainty and suffering from the fall of man can bring us closer to God. • What if God had not cursed the earth and allowed death and suffering to abound? (Gen 3:17-19)
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • Genesis 3:17-19 - Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.“
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • Suffering and uncertainty help us to see our need of God and the vanity of the temporary things! (Psa 90:12; 2 Cor 4:16-18)
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • Psalm 90:12- So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18- Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • As we advance in life we will go through life changing events and stages.
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • As we advance in life we will go through life changing events and stages. • We see such stages when we see those that graduate from school and take the next step in their lives.
By design, our lives are filled with challenges and change. • The wisdom of the scriptures helps us greatly navigate this life as we live for the Lord.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Do you remember when you were baptized into Christ? That was a big step to a new life. (2 Cor 5:17)
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • 2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Everything is NEW! That is a joy and a challenge.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • I remember how inadequate I felt in Bible class and in general conversations with Christians. “I will never know as much about the Bible as they do! They were so fortunate to have been raised in a good church!”
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • I pursued every opportunity to grow that I could. I was excited when a youngpreacher agreed to take time to study with me and answer my questions.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • In time people would comment that my zeal was encouraging to them. I assumed that everyone else had the same zeal too! (Titus 2:13-14)
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Titus 2:13-14- looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • What I was doing was to dig deep and place a foundation in Christ. (Lk 6:48-49)
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Luke 6:48-49- "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.“
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • I learned how to trust God in my daily decisions. (Mt 6:33)
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Matthew 6:33- "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • I learned to worship God daily and place my burdens on Him. (Mt 11:28-30)
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • I came to long for the time I could be with my Lord forever. This changed how I viewed success.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Suffering and change brought me closer to God. (Heb 10:32-25; 13:5-6)
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • Hebrews 10:32-35- But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • My relationships changed because of the faith I now had in the Lord.
Taking the step of building our foundation on Christ • With this foundation I was ready to take the next step in the changes life would bring as the Lord provided for me.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • This requires integrity and wisdom.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • This requires integrity and wisdom. • Why should I take a job? Jesus spent most of His like at a job. (Mk 6:3)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Mark 6:3- "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • I want to work in order to provide and serve others. (Eph 4:28; 2 Thess 3:10-12)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Ephesians 4:28 - Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12- For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Should I take any job? What impact will the job have on my service to God? Will my job require me to do things that a Christian cannot?
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Dangers to avoid in a job.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Bitterness and envy at another who receives the promotion or recognition that you deserved! (1 Sam 18:7-9)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • 1 Samuel 18:7-9- So the women sang as they danced, and said: "Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands." 8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?" 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Stress and Worry over the bills? (Phil 4:11-13, Jn 16:33)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Philippians 4:11-13 - Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • John 16:33- "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • We must work the time we have agreed. Who is our boss? (Col 3:22-24)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job • Colossians 3:22-24- Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Taking the next step in finding a mate • Is this person eligible to marry? (Mt 19:9)
Taking the next step in finding a mate • Matthew 19:9 - "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.“
Taking the next step in finding a mate • Those who may many fall into three groups.
Taking the next step in finding a mate • Those who may many fall into three groups. • Those who have never married.
Taking the next step in finding a mate • Those who may many fall into three groups. • Those who have never married. • Those whose mate has died.