Life's Struggles quotes

The Greek word for offences is “skandalizo”, and it translates and means “snare, cause of displeasure, occasion to fall or stumbling, offence, stumbling block” (Strong’s Exhaustive Greek Concordance word #4625). Now this word is connected with the word “kampto” which translates and means “to bend” (Strong’s word #2578). This means that offences will come, or in other words, unpleasant situations will occur that will be a cause of displeasure, and these are a snare to try and lead us to bend away from standing firm for the Lord and we will then be in danger of stumbling and falling away from the truth.

"...if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7.

These verses reveal that various temptations or trials or unpleasant occurrences are necessary - even though they cause us heaviness, because they work in preparing us for the appearing of Jesus Christ! If God prevented these offences then not one of His people would be ready for Christ to come and would be lost! When the Devil brings these displeasing offences as a snare to lead us away from Christ, God will instead use these disturbances to get us ready for heaven!

3) “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20.

4) Each of us will have to struggle against manifesting an unchristlike character to any annoyance, disturbance, offence, unpleasant situation, event, or person throughout our lifetime, and this will be difficult and a real struggle.

"...we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer..." 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5.

These annoyances should not discourage us. It is only as we experience the dark tempest that we more greatly appreciate the sunshine! It is only as we endure through these annoyances that we can realize our need of God’s divine grace and strength and help in order to gain the victory and become saved in His kingdom!

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22.

5) 2 Kings chapter 5 brings out that Syrian forces entered into an Israeli town, captured some Israelites and took them to Syria as slaves. One of these slaves was a young girl. Her master was Naaman who was the Captain of the Syrian forces which conquered that city and enslaved her. How did this young girl respond to all of these displeasing events?

This young girl manifested sympathy for Naaman, who had leprosy, and suggested that he visit Elisha so that he might be healed. Instead of being revengeful and allowing the man responsible for her slavery to suffer and die from leprosy, she was one of the main reasons why he was healed. So instead of becoming angry, bitter, revengeful, spiteful, feeling sorry for herself, and just a rebellious terror to others, she determined to follow God and be just the opposite - kind, considerate, helpful and the best slave she could be through her particular life’s struggles.

6) Genesis chapters 29-35 brings out that Jacob was tricked by his uncle Laban, as well as his bride Rachel, into marrying Leah whom he did not love and did not pay a dowry price for. In order to also marry Rachel, Jacob then had to serve another 7 years. After serving these years, Laban hired Jacob to tend his flocks, but then selfishly changed Jacob’s wage contract 10 different times over the years. How did Jacob respond to all of these displeasing turn of events?

Jacob did not seek revenge, did not treat Laban as he had been treated, but instead determined to make the best of these life struggles by following God’s instructions to the letter. This allowed God to take control of these unpleasant situations, and Jacob was greatly blessed with wealth, while Laban was greatly reduced in wealth.

7) 1 Samuel chapters 16-31 and 2 Samuel chapters 1-8 brings out that David was falsely accused of being a traitor worthy of death by his father-in-law, was driven from his home, hunted down everywhere he went, had to move from place to place because of spies reporting his locations, and had his innocent acquaintances murdered. Yet David did not become revengeful, or mistreat his wicked father-in-law, but showed him kindness, mercy and respect. God allowed all these annoying tests to occur because He planned to exalt David into becoming a ruler in a great kingdom - if David would remain a Christian through his particular life’s struggles.

8) Genesis chapters 37, 39-47 brings out that Joseph was harshly mistreated by the brothers he loved, was threatened with death, betrayed and sold as a slave. Yet Joseph did not seek to escape from slavery while on the road to Egypt. He did not act rebelliously to prevent himself being sold to Potiphar. He did not seek to destroy Potiphar’s possessions, but worked his best to make his master’s property grow in wealth. All these things reveal that Joseph accepted his lot and determined to make the best of the situation by becoming the best slave he could with God’s help.

After becoming a model slave, Joseph was then falsely accused of a great crime, and unjustly thrown into prison. Joseph had every reason to become angry, bitter, revengeful, spiteful, feeling sorry for himself, and a terror to others, and yet he was just the opposite. Satan wanted to destroy Joseph’s faith in God through all these offences. But God allowed all these annoying tests because He planned to exalt Joseph into becoming a ruler in a great kingdom - if Joseph would remain a Christian through his particular life’s struggles.

9) Daniel chapters 1-3 brings out that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were taken captive by king Nebuchadnezzar, forced from their homes, taken to Babylon and then had their names changed into Babylonian names. Daniel and these 3 friends determined that they would make the best of their displeasing situation by obeying God no matter what, allowing Him to take care of their situation. God allowed all these annoying tests to occur because He planned to exalt Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah into becoming rulers in a great kingdom - if they would remain a Christian through their particular life’s struggles.

10) The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John bring out that Jesus had the greatest unpleasant occurrences, the worst displeasing events, the most unpleasing people to disturb His peace and annoy Him, and yet He remained Godly through all these life’s struggles. God allowed all these annoying trials because He planned to exalt Jesus into the greatest ruler of all kingdoms - if He would remain faithful to God through these life’s struggles. Jesus did remain faithful to God through them all which makes Him our greatest example to look to of how to remain a follower of God while being annoyed by the Devil and his agents - even unto death - through all of our life’s struggles.

11) Please don’t stop God from getting you ready for heaven! Don’t murmer or complain or grumble because of the annoyances or unpleasant situations, events, or people you have to endure through. Instead work along with God in perfecting your character, and be joyful while this purifying work is being done.

"FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God....Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you...Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." 1 Peter 4:1-2, 12-14, 16.

"...we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5.

"...to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3.

12) God is lovingly working to purify your character in preparing you for heaven and the new earth where there will never be annoyances, displeasing events, trying situations or unpleasant people to disturb your peace.

"For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou has caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place (heaven)." Psalms 66:10-12.

God loves and cares enough to get you prepared for heaven through life’s struggles with annoyances, temptations, trials and snares so that you can reign over a great kingdom “as kings and priests unto God” (Revelation 1:6, 5:10).


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes LIFE'S STRUGGLES quotes 1) “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come”. Luke 17:1. The Greek word for offences is “skandalizo”, and it translates and means “snare, cause of displeasure, occasion to fall or stumbling, offence, stumbling block” (Strong’s Exhaustive Greek Concordance word #4625). Now this word is connected with the word “kampto” which translates and means “to bend” (Strong’s word #2578). This means that offences will come, or in other words, unpleasant situations will occur that will be a cause of displeasure, and these are a snare to try and lead us to bend away from standing firm for the Lord and we will then be in danger of stumbling and falling away from the truth. 2) “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37. God could easily prevent any of these unpleasant snares from coming to His people, but why has He chosen not to? "...if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7. These verses reveal that various temptations or trials or unpleasant occurrences are necessary - even though they cause us heaviness, because they work in preparing us for the appearing of Jesus Christ! If God prevented these offences then not one of His people would be ready for Christ to come and would be lost! When the Devil brings these displeasing offences as a snare to lead us away from Christ, God will instead use these disturbances to get us ready for heaven! 3) “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20. These verses reveal that impatience and anger are the Devil’s tools to cause our fall! 4) Each of us will have to struggle against manifesting an unchristlike character to any annoyance, disturbance, offence, unpleasant situation, event, or person throughout our lifetime, and this will be difficult and a real struggle. "...we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer..." 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5. These annoyances should not discourage us. It is only as we experience the dark tempest that we more greatly appreciate the sunshine! It is only as we endure through these annoyances that we can realize our need of God’s divine grace and strength and help in order to gain the victory and become saved in His kingdom! "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22. 5) 2 Kings chapter 5 brings out that Syrian forces entered into an Israeli town, captured some Israelites and took them to Syria as slaves. One of these slaves was a young girl. Her master was Naaman who was the Captain of the Syrian forces which conquered that city and enslaved her. How did this young girl respond to all of these displeasing events? This young girl manifested sympathy for Naaman, who had leprosy, and suggested that he visit Elisha so that he might be healed. Instead of being revengeful and allowing the man responsible for her slavery to suffer and die from leprosy, she was one of the main reasons why he was healed. So instead of becoming angry, bitter, revengeful, spiteful, feeling sorry for herself, and just a rebellious terror to others, she determined to follow God and be just the opposite - kind, considerate, helpful and the best slave she could be through her particular life’s struggles. 6) Genesis chapters 29-35 brings out that Jacob was tricked by his uncle Laban, as well as his bride Rachel, into marrying Leah whom he did not love and did not pay a dowry price for. In order to also marry Rachel, Jacob then had to serve another 7 years. After serving these years, Laban hired Jacob to tend his flocks, but then selfishly changed Jacob’s wage contract 10 different times over the years. How did Jacob respond to all of these displeasing turn of events? Jacob did not seek revenge, did not treat Laban as he had been treated, but instead determined to make the best of these life struggles by following God’s instructions to the letter. This allowed God to take control of these unpleasant situations, and Jacob was greatly blessed with wealth, while Laban was greatly reduced in wealth. 7) 1 Samuel chapters 16-31 and 2 Samuel chapters 1-8 brings out that David was falsely accused of being a traitor worthy of death by his father-in-law, was driven from his home, hunted down everywhere he went, had to move from place to place because of spies reporting his locations, and had his innocent acquaintances murdered. Yet David did not become revengeful, or mistreat his wicked father-in-law, but showed him kindness, mercy and respect. God allowed all these annoying tests to occur because He planned to exalt David into becoming a ruler in a great kingdom - if David would remain a Christian through his particular life’s struggles. 8) Genesis chapters 37, 39-47 brings out that Joseph was harshly mistreated by the brothers he loved, was threatened with death, betrayed and sold as a slave. Yet Joseph did not seek to escape from slavery while on the road to Egypt. He did not act rebelliously to prevent himself being sold to Potiphar. He did not seek to destroy Potiphar’s possessions, but worked his best to make his master’s property grow in wealth. All these things reveal that Joseph accepted his lot and determined to make the best of the situation by becoming the best slave he could with God’s help. After becoming a model slave, Joseph was then falsely accused of a great crime, and unjustly thrown into prison. Joseph had every reason to become angry, bitter, revengeful, spiteful, feeling sorry for himself, and a terror to others, and yet he was just the opposite. Satan wanted to destroy Joseph’s faith in God through all these offences. But God allowed all these annoying tests because He planned to exalt Joseph into becoming a ruler in a great kingdom - if Joseph would remain a Christian through his particular life’s struggles. 9) Daniel chapters 1-3 brings out that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were taken captive by king Nebuchadnezzar, forced from their homes, taken to Babylon and then had their names changed into Babylonian names. Daniel and these 3 friends determined that they would make the best of their displeasing situation by obeying God no matter what, allowing Him to take care of their situation. God allowed all these annoying tests to occur because He planned to exalt Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah into becoming rulers in a great kingdom - if they would remain a Christian through their particular life’s struggles. 10) The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John bring out that Jesus had the greatest unpleasant occurrences, the worst displeasing events, the most unpleasing people to disturb His peace and annoy Him, and yet He remained Godly through all these life’s struggles. God allowed all these annoying trials because He planned to exalt Jesus into the greatest ruler of all kingdoms - if He would remain faithful to God through these life’s struggles. Jesus did remain faithful to God through them all which makes Him our greatest example to look to of how to remain a follower of God while being annoyed by the Devil and his agents - even unto death - through all of our life’s struggles. 11) Please don’t stop God from getting you ready for heaven! Don’t murmer or complain or grumble because of the annoyances or unpleasant situations, events, or people you have to endure through. Instead work along with God in perfecting your character, and be joyful while this purifying work is being done. "FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God....Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you...Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." 1 Peter 4:1-2, 12-14, 16. "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer...Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not." Romans 12:12, 14. "...I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." 2 Corinthians 7:4. "...we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5. "...to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 12) God is lovingly working to purify your character in preparing you for heaven and the new earth where there will never be annoyances, displeasing events, trying situations or unpleasant people to disturb your peace. "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou has caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place (heaven)." Psalms 66:10-12. God loves and cares enough to get you prepared for heaven through life’s struggles with annoyances, temptations, trials and snares so that you can reign over a great kingdom “as kings and priests unto God” (Revelation 1:6, 5:10).