How To 'face' The Challenges Of Life

HOW TO ’FACE’ THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE

************************************************

OUTLINE

1. STRONG FACE

2. VICTORIOUS FACE

3. UNASHAMED FACE

4. RECEIVING FACE

5. HAPPY FACE

6. SHINING FACE

7. SEEING FACE

THE MESSAGE

HOW TO ’FACE’ THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE

************************************************

1. STRONG FACE

We must have a strong face when we face the challenges of life because we have the Lord who helps us and because we have the assurance that we will not be disgraced. We should not have a fearful face or a worried face or a confused face . We should set our face like a flint and face every challenge with confidence and assurance and the Lord will ensure our victory.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

****************************

ISAIAH 50:7-10

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!

It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

EZEKIEL 3:8-9

But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are.

I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house."

1 CHRONICLES 12:8

Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.

2. VICTORIOUS FACE

We must have a victorious face when we face the challenges of life because the Lord will beat down our foes before our face and our eyes will look in triumph on our foes. We should not be sporting a defeated look or a look of failure because we have the God of victory with us who will crush all our enemies.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

****************************

PSALM 89:20-24

I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him,

With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him.

The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him.

“But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted.

PSALM 54:7

For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

PSALM 112:8

His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

PSALM 118:7

The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.

DEUTERONOMY 28:7

“The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

DEUTERONOMY 33:27

The eternal God is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ’Destroy him!’

LEVITICUS 26:6-7

" ’I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.

You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you.

3. UNASHAMED FACE

We must have an unashamed face when we face the challenges of life because we have a God who will not put us to shame . Our God is the lifter of our head and causes us to go through life with our head held high. Those who trust in Him and wait for Him will not be ashamed.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

****************************

PSALM 34:5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

PSALM 3:1-3

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

ISAIAH 49:23

Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed."