How to face challenges

Running away only increases the distance

(The following motivational message is based on the David and Goliath incident in the Bible)

Running away from a problem only increases the distance between you and the problem. It does not solve any problem.

I too agree with many present day motivators that perception and description can create a difference. How we perceive a situation and how we describe a situation is very important in overcoming or conquering the situation. The perception has a key role. The description continues the perception. You may solve, overcome and conquer the situation according to your perception and the description of that perception.

Roman soldiers and death in harness

“Die in harness” (death in harness) means to die with armor on; to die while actively engaged in work or duty.

This phrase is often used to refer to Government or Non government servants who die while in active service.

The phrase has roots in Roman culture and tradition.

In ancient Roman culture, all soldiers were dedicated as bridegrooms to the goddesses of war. They were not permitted to marry or have a family. They were 24x7 soldiers. Once they joined the military service, they discarded all ties with their family. All of them were unmarried young men.

Fear Not

Fear is the strongest emotion of 21 century.

What is fear?

Fear is an apprehension of sufferings and losses

Fear is an emotion over something unpleasant which may occur in future.

Suffering of pain – hunger, sickness, torture, dishonor etc.

Loss of - property, income, time, health, honour, power, life itself etc.

Fear is caused by the existence of another personality/power that is against our life.

It may be:

Evil people

Evil supernatural powers

It may have its base in our past life or the life of other people.

The cause of fear is always an unexpected or unwelcome incident.

So whether it may happen or not, we tend to fear.

Sufferings and Trial

Introduction

1.                  There is not an answer to all our questions that we can fully comprehend. 

2.                  We, as finite human beings, can never fully understand an infinite God

Romans 11:33-36

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. {whom: Gr. him}

3.   Sometimes we think we understand why God is doing something, only to find out later that it was for a different purpose than we originally thought.  

4.   God looks at things from an eternal perspective - We look at things from an earthly perspective. 

Joshua Generation Part II

Read ... Joshua Generation Part I 

CHAPTER   III

THE OTHER FAITH

1. Introduction

 1.  Faith has different levels

1.  I believe – simply saying that one has faith without any deep conviction – born again and baptized, so I am called a believer

2.  I believe because you believe – declare faith in God and his wonderful ways with every one who believes – no personal conviction – pastor believes, so I believe

3.  I firmly believe – have personal conviction – applied to personal or family life only

4.  Challenging faith – Elijah’s faith on Mt. Carmel – challenging to prove that our God is the only true God – my faith is true faith

 

2.  People with Moses and those with Joshua showed different levels of Faith