Milestones: Turn Obstructions into Opportunities - Part 1

If you read the Gospels thoroughly you soon would discover how prevalent obstructions were in the life of Jesus. Even before Jesus was born Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, was ready to abandon her when he realized she was pregnant. However, God told Joseph by way of a dream that Mary’s pregnancy was acceptable because it was an immaculate conception.

While Jesus was fasting in a desert wilderness, Satan began actively laying out obstructions comprised of promises to give him an easy way to fame and fortune. Jesus countered Satan’s obstructions with God's Word, which in effect neutralized Satan’s power to control him. We, like Jesus, can turn obstructions into opportunities to grow, to become stronger and please God with our choices to serve him and him alone.

These scriptures demonstrate that Jesus was prepared to encounter temptations and obstructions regardless of their source. You can show the world you’re a Christian and far from powerless when faced with obstructions of any magnitude that Satan may place before you. 

Choosing at the Crossroads - Part 3

A word picture from the New Testament portrays Jesus pressing on toward the task that lay before him. He refused to be distracted. In the days before his crucifixion, he was determined to press on toward Jerusalem to meet his critics, his enemies, and those who loved and cared for him. He knew God's purpose for his life.

He was tempted by Satan to take the easy road. His disciples and friends begged him to bypass the cross, but he stayed on course. Where did this unrelenting resilience come from that enabled him to accomplish God's purpose? Resilience is a character quality that balances determination and pain in the pursuit of given objective.

Resilience does not indicate the absence of weakness that makes a person subject to fatigue, grief, or even physical handicaps. Under-girding resilience is faith that overrides anxiety and fear or even discouragement. Faith is a gift from God that's available to all who believe in Christ Jesus who ask for it,  gladly accept it, and use it for God's purpose.

Power Struggles: Choose to Step Back - Part 3

A good friend related a story about someone he had known all his life.  His friend left his job and family never to return. He described his friend as having a chink in his armor. This means a crack or narrow opening in his character that made him vulnerable to impulsive, hurtful decisions. Imperfections can result in disaster if we allow them to go unchecked.

Chinks in the armor permit power struggles to threaten a relationship because they're often expressed in defensive and protective behaviors. However God is faithful to provide ways to escape from succumbing to imperfections and unwanted consequences that may surely be disastrous for us and others.

How do you accomplish what might appear impossible? God's armor does not have chinks in it. Jesus withstood Satan's temptations with the armor of God's word. Then St. Paul instructs you to pray in the Spirit on every occasion. This means depending on the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide you. This is a choice only you can make, so be receptive to God's provisions.