How to Deal with Life’s Challenges

5.26.2024

Introduction

The hard places of life come to us all.

John 16:33 (NKJV)

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.

James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Rick Renner

— Sparkling Gems From the Greek Vol. 1: 365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day Of The Year To Sharpen Your Understanding Of God’s Word by Rick Renner

https://a.co/98iTfi1

James was writing to believers who were undergoing the kind of hardships described above. He told them, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The word “patience” is the Greek word hupomeno—a compound of the words hupo and meno. The word hupo means under, as to be underneath something. The word meno means to stay or to abide. You could say that the word meno means to remain in one’s spot; to keep a position; or to resolve to maintain some territory that has been gained. It is the state of mind that says, “This is my spot, and I’m not moving!”

God has a plan for us to stay UP when we are under duress!

He wants us to stay full of the Holy Spirit!

Romans 12:11 (NKJV)

Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Romans 12:11 (AMPC)

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

(Complete Jewish Bible)

But serve the Lord with spiritual fervor…

(J B Phillips)

And let us keep the fires of the spirit burning…

(New International Version)

But keep your spiritual fervor…

(Message Paraphrase)

Keep yourselves fueled and aflame…

Romans 12:11 (The Passion Translation)

Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.

(Weymouth New Testament)

Be thoroughly warm-hearted…

How do you stay full of the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 5:18-19 (KJV)

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:18-19 (NLT)

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

David was a Psalmist and was known as the Psalmist of Israel!

He would play his harp and sing to the Lord as he tended sheep for his father when he was young.

David got the Psalms as he just worshiped the Lord to keep his heart in tune with God!

Maker of the Heavens

Maker of the heavens, painter of the sky

Your greatest work reserved, for such as I

The angels long to sing about, the gift You gave to me

The love of God so unrestrained and free

CHORUS:

You, Oh Lord, are the fragrance of my praise

The finest words could never bare my heart

You, Oh Lord, are the essence of praise

I treasure You for who You are

 

VERSE 2:

Maker of the heavens, painter of the sky

The day will come, when I will see Your face

I’ve loved You since, I’ve known You

And I have grown to love You more

Each day, my heart sails further from the shore

https://lyricstranslate.com

At All Times I Will Bless Him

At all times I will bless Him,

His praise will be in my mouth,

My soul makes its boast in the Lord:

The humble man will hear Him,

The afflicted will be glad

And join with me to magnify the Lord.

Let us exalt His Name together forever,

I sought the Lord, He heard me

And delivered me from my fears;

Let us exalt His name together forever,

O sing His praises, magnify the Lord.

The angel of the Lord encamps

Round those who fear His name,

To save them and deliver them from harm;

Though lions roar with hunger,

We lack for no good thing,

No wonder then we praise him with our song.

Come children now and hear me

If you would see long life,

Just keep your lips from wickedness and lies;

Do good and turn from evil

Seek peace instead of strife,

Love righteousness and God will hear your cry.

http://ehymnbook.org/CMMS/hymnSong.php?id=pd00686

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6876675/How%20Great%20Thou%20Art

Thou Art Worthy, Great Jehovah.

Thou Art Worthy, Great Jehovah.

Thou Art Worthy, Mighty God.

Thou Art Worthy, Abba Father,

Thou Art Worthy, Lamb Of God.

https://divinehymns.com/lyrics/thou-art-worthy-great-jehovah-song-lyrics/

WHO IS LIKE UNTO THEE”

by: Don Moen

Lyrics:
Who is like unto Thee
O Lord among the gods?
Who is like unto Thee

Glorious in holiness

Fearful in praises

Doing wonders

Who is like unto Thee?

https://www.christiansong-lyrics.com/who-is-like-unto-thee-don-moen-lyrics/

Lord, you are more precious than silver.

Lord, you are more precious than silver.

Lord, you are more costly than gold.

Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds,

and nothing I desire compares to you.

Who can weigh the value of knowing you?

Who can judge the worth of who you are?

Who can count the blessings of loving you?

Who can say just how great you are?

https://www.christian-songlyrics.net/2013/06/more-precious-than-silver-lyrics.html

My All In All

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel

Lord to give up I’d be a fool

You are my all in all

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Taking my sin my cross my shame

Rising again I bless your name

You are my all in all

When I fall down you pick me up

When I am dry You fill my cup

You are my all in all

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Worthy is Your name

Worthy is Your name

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7614207/Dennis+Jernigan/You+Are+My+All+in+All

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path

When I feel afraid,

And think I’ve lost my way

Still, you’re there right beside me

Nothing will I fear

As long as you are near

Please be near me to the end

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32195970/Amy+Grant/Thy+Word

Oh Lord, You’re beautiful

Oh Lord, You’re beautiful

Your face is all I seek

For when Your eyes are on this child

Your grace abounds to me

Oh Lord, You’re beautiful

Your face is all I seek

For when Your eyes are on this child

Your grace abounds to me

[Chorus]

I want to take Your word and shine it all around

But first help me to just, to live it Lord

And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown

For my reward is giving glory to You

[Verse 2]

Oh Lord, please light the fire

That once burned bright and clean

Replace the lamp of my first love

That burns with holy fear

[Chorus]

I want to take your word and shine it all around

But first help me to just to live it Lord

And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown

For my reward is giving glory to You

[Verse 1]

Oh Lord, You’re beautiful

Your face is all I seek

For when Your eyes are on this child

Your grace abounds to me

https://genius.com/Keith-green-oh-lord-youre-beautiful-lyrics

Sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!

that calls me from a world of care,

and bids me at my Father’s throne

make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

my soul has often found relief,

and oft escaped the tempter’s snare

by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

thy wings shall my petition bear

to him whose truth and faithfulness

engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since he bids me seek his face,

believe his word, and trust his grace,

I’ll cast on him my every care,

and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

https://hymnary.org/text/sweet_hour_of_prayer_sweet_hour_of_pray

My Jesus, I love Thee,

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;

My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;

If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,

And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;

If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;

I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,

If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5133418/Bill+%26+Gloria+Gaither/My+Jesus%2C+I+Love+Thee

For He Is So Precious To Me

So precious is Jesus, my Savior, my King;
His praise all the day long with rapture I sing.
To Him in my weakness for strength I can cling,
For He is so precious to me.

Refrain

For He is so precious to me;
For He is so precious to me.
‘Tis heaven below, my Redeemer to know,
For He is so precious to me.

He stood at my heart’s door ‘mid sunshine and rain,
And patiently waited an entrance to gain.
What shame that so long He entreated in vain,
For He is so precious to me.

Refrain

I stand on the mountain of blessing at last,
No cloud in the heavens a shadow to cast,
His smile is upon me; the valley is past,
For He is so precious to me.

Refrain

I praise Him because He appointed a place
Where some day, through faith in His wonderful grace,
I know I shall see Him, shall look on His face,
For He is so precious to me.

Refrain

https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/h/He_Is_So_Precious_To_Me.cfm

Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing for me;

Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing for me;

Thou hast put off my sackcloth;

Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing for me,

And girded me with gladness;

To the end my glory may sing praise unto Thee,

And not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever.

https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1334

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing, I will sing.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing the mercies of the Lord.

With my mouth will I make known

Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness,

With my mouth will I make known

Thy faithfulness to all generations.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

https://hymnary.org/hymn/HWC1986/457