THE JOURNEY (Series) FACING AND SOLVING LIFE’S PROBLEMS!

THE JOURNEY

PROBLEMS ISRAEL FACED ALONG THE WAY Exodus 16:1-21What to eat Exodus 17:1-7What to drink Exodus 17:8-15Opposition (without) Numbers 16Opposition (within) Exodus 18Not enough help Numbers 13Unbelief Numbers 21Impatience

PROBLEMS PEOPLE FACE TODAY RELATIONAL FINANCIAL/ECONOMIC PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL FAMILY VOCATIONAL SPIRITUAL

HOW TO FACE LIFE’S PROBLEMS AND SOLVE THEM #1. ARTICULATE THE PROBLEM AND DEFINE IT CLEARLY! “Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent… He asked the Lord, ‘Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?’” (Numbers 11:10-13)

HOW TO FACE LIFE’S PROBLEMS AND SOLVE THEM #2. ADMIT YOUR LIMITATIONS “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too great for me.” (Numbers 11:14)

HOW TO FACE LIFE’S PROBLEMS AND SOLVE THEM “The Lord said to Moses: ‘Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people….’” (Numbers 11:15-17) #3. ACCEPT WISE COUNSEL FROM GOD:

ACCEPT WISE COUNSEL (cont.) FROM OTHERS: (Exodus 18:14,18,21-22) “When his father-in-law (Jethro) saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, ‘…why do you alone sit as judge? (vs. 14) The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. (vs.18) Select capable men from all the people, men who fear God and hate dishonest gain, and appoint them as officials… to judge the people….’” (vs. 21,22)

HOW TO FACE LIFE’S PROBLEMS AND SOLVE THEM “Moses answered the Lord, ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, The Lord did not appear to you?’” #4. ASSESS YOUR RESOURCES Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He replied, “A staff.” The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake and he ran from it. The Lord said, “Pick it up by the tail.” Moses did so and it turned back into the staff. “This,” said the Lord, ‘is so they may believe…’” (Exodus 4:1-5)

#5. ALLOW OTHERS TO HELP “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people….’ Then the Lord came down in the cloud… and He took the Spirit that was on Moses and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied…” (Numbers 11:16, 25)

HOW TO FACE LIFE’S PROBLEMS AND SOLVE THEM B.Exodus 14:15 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to move on…!’” #6. ACT ACCORDINGLY A.Numbers 11:24 “So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent….”

HOW TO FACE LIFE’S PROBLEMS AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM 7.ACKNOWLEDGE GOD AND ABANDON ALL ELSE TO HIM! (PUT EVERYTHING IN HIS HANDS!) OH, NO! NOW WHAT? “However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were among the elders but did not go to the meeting. The Spirit also rested on them and they prophesied. They ran and told Moses and said, “Stop them, my lord!” And Moses answered, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? I wish the Lord’s people were all prophets…’” Numbers 11:26-29

1.It means you make your best decision and act based on what you know and the steps you have taken. 2.It means to know a sovereign God will not be surprised or caught off guard by what happens. 3.It means to understand a sovereign God will not be stymied or paralyzed by any result – because He is able to “cause all things to work together for good…” (Rom. 8:28) 4.It means being assured a sovereign God will never forsake you for endeavoring to honor him in your action. What does it mean to ACKNOWLEDGE GOD AND PUT THINGS IN HIS HAND?

HOW CAN GOD BE LIFTED UP THROUGH THE PROBLEMS I FACE IN LIFE?

HOW TO FACE LIFE’S PROBLEMS AND SOLVE THEM APPLICATION: ARTICULATE THE PROBLEM ADMIT YOUR LIMITATIONS ACCEPT WISE COUNSEL ASSESS YOUR RESOURCES ALLOW OTHERS TO HELP ACT ACCORDINGLY ACKNOWLEDGE GOD