Ephesians 5:1 We come to God as sinners; but He wants to transform our habits, attitudes, and practices into the ways of Jesus: to live, forgive, and love as He did. Voice Bible
Understand/Navigate/Detach/Oppose
Life’s Trouble Makers
Angry enemy
John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. New Living Translation
Life’s Trouble Makers
Decaying Creation
Romans 8:21 that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God. New Living Translation
Life’s Trouble Makers
Destructive lifestyles
Galatians 6:7 Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! Living Bible
Life’s Trouble Makers
Sinful people
2 Timothy 3:13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. New International Version
Life’s Trouble Makers
Imperfect people
Ecclesiastes 10:9 When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax. New Living Translation
Why does God allow us to be tested?
Tests exist to make us better, not bitter
Judges 3:1 Here is a list of the nations the Lord left in the land to test the new generation of Israel who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. Living Bible
Judges 3:2 For God wanted to give opportunity to the youth of Israel to exercise faith and obedience in conquering their enemies:… 4 These people were a test to the new generation of Israel, to see whether they would obey the commandments the Lord had given to them through Moses. Living Bible
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy New Living Translation
James 1:3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. New Living Translation
Endurance: Steadfast waiting
Endurance: Pursuing, loving, serving, believing, and worshiping God regardless of what’s happening in our life
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. New Living Translation
Romans 5:3 And that’s not all. We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, 4 which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness. Voice Bible
God wants your character to be stronger than your circumstances
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. New Living Translation