1 Dec 2013: "Every problem has a solution" - "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all"(Psalm 34:19 NIV)

Every Problem Has An Answer

1.12.13

By Senior Pastor Alan Ang

ALFC

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all His bones, not one of them will be broken.”

- Psalm 34:15-20

“Man born of woman is of few days & full of trouble.”

Job 14:1 (KJV)

“We are all weak & helpless. All lead the same short, troubled life.”

Job 14:1 (GNT)

“For my soul is full of trouble & my life draws near the grave.”

Psalm 88:3 (NKJV)

How Can WE stay close to God even when everything outside of

us is going wrong

When trouble strikes, don’t get frustrated with God Instead admit that you need Him by your side

Ways to view problems(1) Problems cause us to trust GodEsther 4:16a “Go gather together all the Jews who are in Susa & fast for me..”

Esther 4:16b “Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Ways to view problems(1) Problems cause us to trust GodRomans 8:31b “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Galatians 6:7 “Don't be misled--you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”

Ways to view problems(2) Problems cause us to pray

Prayer is a miracle – it is the ability to talk to God

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Ways to view problems(2) Problems cause us to pray

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Solomon asked for discernment to carry out his job; he did not ask God to do the job for him.

Ways to view problems(3) Problems are tests

Deuteronomy 30:19 “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

Acts 17:28 “For in Him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’”

Ways to view problems(3) Problems are testsRomans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Ways to view problems(3) Problems are tests

Your problems will never be greater than God’s power – for with God all things are possible!

Psalm 27:5 “In time of trouble He will shelter me, He will keep me safe in His temple & make me secure on a high rock.”

How can we solve problems?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”

Galatians 5:22-23Losing self-control leaves you as helpless as a city without a wall.

Proverbs 25:28

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty & he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 16:32

Self-control also demands you do all things with excellence; even when you don’t want to

do it

DISCIPLINE

As a Christian, you are to be respectful,

competent, responsible adults, expected to

demonstrate discipline in your cravings, your passions, your speech,

your conduct, your habits, and your

affiliations.

Disciples who were disciplined and changed:

1)Matthew – Tax Collector [sinner]2)James & John – “Sons of

Thunder” [explosive tempers]3)Peter – Impulsive4)Paul – Saul the persecutor of

Christians

Some believers can endure the trials of poverty, but when money is in their hands, they cannot pass the tests of being rich.

Some can endure criticism, but cannot pass the test of being praised.

God is looking for strong, bold, fearless, warriors of the cross – who are willing to fight the good fight of faith, who will run the race, with Temperance & Discipline.

When you see God as just like a human being and limited by the situations you face, you will give in to fear very easily.

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

Psalm 34:19

“When they call to Me, I will answer them. When they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them & honour them.”

Psalm 91:115