The Word of the Lord

The Word of the Lord

"Challenges" by Barbara Maddox

I will share four of Webster Dictionary meanings that so fit with the Christian Life.

#1. A call to engage in a contest or a fight.
#2. A demand for an explanation or a calling in to question.
#3. A sentry's call for identification.
#4. The requiring full use of one's abilities, energy or resources.

Christians and non-Christians all face challenges, such as: the proper career choice, the right mate, school, job change, raising of children, retirement, etc.

The greatest CHALLENGE that will ever face anyone is the CHALLENGE of what will you do with Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:10 tells us, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." Philippians 2:11, "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."
We will do this either in this world and/or in the world to come when we stand before the Lord for judgment.

WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO RECEIVE JESUS? WHY IS THIS SUCH A CHALLENGE? Lets look at just a few of the reasons, probably you can think of more.
1. The world as a whole rejects Him. Read Acts 4:25-27.
2. Our very natural being is against His holiness. Read Ephesians 2:1& 5. Romans 3:23, and Colossians 2:13.
3. Our family, friends, peers might embrace a different religion. A word of warning in Matthew 10:32-33, "If we confess Him on earth He will confess us in heaven. If we deny Him on earth He will deny us in heaven." THAT IS A CLEAR WARNING.
4. There is pleasure in sin FOR A SEASON. Hebrews 11;25.

Lets look at meaning #1. A CALL TO ENGAGE IN A CONTEST OR A FIGHT.
The first one you will fight will be yourself. Romans 8:7 tells us the "Carnal mind is enmity against God."
In Romans 7:15-25 Paul writes of the battle in the flesh and only Jesus can deliver.

Secondly there will probably be a fight with family and/or friends who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior. ANOTHER SCRIPTURE that carries a warning. Luke 14:26, tells us that Jesus is to come before all others, if not, we cannot be His disciples. We were first in His life, He has the right to be first in ours.

The third battle we will fight will be against supernatural powers of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we wrestle against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:11 warns of the wiles of the devil and 1 Peter 5:8 tells us he goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he might destroy.

Now on to the second definition of CHALLENGE. A DEMAND FOR AN EXPLANATION OF OR A CALLING IN TO QUESTION.
1 Peter 3:15, "Be ready ALWAYS to give an answer to every man that ask you the reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."
2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man."

THE THIRD MEANING OF CHALLENGE THAT FITS WITH THE CHRISTIAN IS THE CALL BY A SENTRY FOR IDENTIFICATION.

In the world we are ask in almost every area of life to identify ourselves with proper identification. With job applications, credit cards, drivers licenses, air travel,etc.
WE MUST IDENTIFY WITH HIM IF WE EXPECT HIM TO IDENTIFY WITH US.
We cannot be a silent Christian. Matthew 11:16, "Blessed is the man who shall NOT be offended in Me."
Revelation 3:15-16 says He will spew us out of His mouth if we are lukewarm.

JESUS was not a silent Savior. Philippians 2:7 tells us "Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man."
Hebrews 2:11 tells us He is not ashamed to call us His brethren.

ALWAYS REMEMBER HE DIED A HUMILIATING AND TERRIBLE DEATH PUBLICLY FOR YOU AND ME.

NOW ON TO THE FOURTH MEANING OF CHALLENGE. THE REQUIRING FULL USE OF ONE'S ABILITIES, ENERGY OR RESOURCES.

What are some of the things God would require of us?

#1. Our love. Matthew 22:37-39 gives us the great commandments in the New Testaments. "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." This is the first and great commandment. "The second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself."
#2. Our tithes and offerings. You read Malachi 3:10.
#3. The use of the supernatural gifts the Holy Spirit gives us from 1 Corinthians 12, and the other ministering gifts found in Ephesians, and other books of the Bible.
Here is where you need to read the parable of The Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. One person receives 5, another 2, and another 1. The Bible says they were given according to the ability of the people. God only requires from us what He equips us to do.
#4. Our faithfulness in attending church (not forsake assembling together the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25.)
#5. Our faithfulness in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."
So we could go in but I will leave some of the work to you my friends.

Just thought before I wrap up I would list a few individuals in the Bible who met their CHALLENGES.
1. Noah.....................built an ark when it had never rained and not near water.
2. Moses...................who at 80 led Israel out of Egypt.
3. Jochebed...............Moses' mother who defied the legal ruling of putting her child to death and figured a way to even have Pharaoh's household help her.
4. Caleb.....................At the age of 85, said "give me my mountain. I am able to defeat the enemy in battle and come out again."
5. Abraham................At 75 and Sarah 65 took off for unknown parts of the world at the request of God. Not knowing anything but that God said to do it.
6. Paul......................surrendering a life of recognition and power, to become only what GOD said He wanted him to be, and do only what God wanted him to do.
7. JESUS..................WILLINGLY LEFT HEAVEN AND ITS SPLENDOR AND HIS GLORY TO BE ON EARTH WHAT GOD REQUIRED FOR MAN TO BE SAVED.

Now my friends, the baton is passed on to you and me. To carry on the work of the Lord Jesus until at His appearing or our death and we stand before God, we can say as Paul, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith."

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