Making Wise Choices in Times of Hardship

The Message – Making Wise Choices in Times of Hardship 

Brother Richie Juatco: Most of us try to avoid making enemies or getting into conflicts, whether it be at work, in school, or simply our personal lives. But sometimes conflict is unavoidable, like when dealing with a person whose objectives are the complete opposite of yours. Now, understanding other people and how they think and act is extremely helpful. It can give us a big advantage in making wise choices and deciding how to handle the situation to respond effectively.

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The Message

Making Wise Choices in Times of Hardship

Brother Richie: Stay with us. This is what we’re going to study today here on The Message.

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Brother Richie: Hi! I’m Brother Richie Juatco.

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vasquez.  

Our number one enemy is the devil, and it’s important to understand how he works. And while the devil is our greatest enemy, our best example to follow is our Lord Jesus Christ, because He overcame every trick and deception the devil tried to use against Him. The Bible describes a time when the devil tried deceiving the Lord Jesus Christ three times.

Through this biblical account, we can learn of three main ways or methods that the devil tries to deceive people to make bad choices and lead them away from God. 

Brother Richie: But then we are also going to learn how the Lord Jesus Christ protected Himself and made the right choice.

Brother Mark: So, Brother Richie, what was the situation of our Lord Jesus Christ when the devil first approached Him? 

Brother Richie: Let’s read that biblical account that is written in the book of Luke, chapter 4. We’ll read verses 1 to 3. It says, 

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

[Luke 4:1-3 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here we learn that our Lord Jesus Christ, He was, as we read, “led by the Spirit into the wilderness… for forty days… He ate nothing.” Christ, imagine, He did not eat for 40 days.

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, imagine if someone doesn’t eat for just four days how hungry they would feel. So how much more for our Lord Jesus Christ who hadn’t eaten for 40 days? 

Brother Richie: For 40 days. Now, understand, how did the devil approach Him because of His condition, being so hungry? We read that the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 

Now, there are a few things that we can observe from the devil. Firstly, the devil was fully aware of Christ’s difficult situation. The devil knew. He is watchful, observant, and knows when we are at a weak point. You see, that’s what the devil looks for. He will take advantage of a time when we’re in need; when we’re experiencing hardship; when we’re experiencing trouble; when we are lacking our basic necessities. And that’s what the devil is doing to Christ in this situation. 

Brother Mark: So, what is the second thing that we should also notice about the devil? 

Brother Richie: The second thing is this, Brother Mark, the way the devil approached our Lord Jesus Christ. It seemed as though he was trying to be helpful. He offered a way for our Lord Jesus Christ to get something to eat. The devil said, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But what was the devil really trying to do? He was trying to convince our Lord Jesus Christ to ruin His integrity and use His God-given authority for personal gain.

Brother Mark: It should be understood that our Lord Jesus Christ is no ordinary man. He has the authority and power to perform great miracles. So, Brother Richie, in this situation, when He was very hungry, why did He choose not to? Why did He instead deny the devil’s suggestion to turn the stone into something He could eat? 

Brother Richie: So let’s hear from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself to make sense of this.  According to our Lord Jesus Christ, why did God grant Him such power and authority? 

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The Message

Why did God grant Christ special powers and authority?

Brother Richie: We can read the answer of our Lord Jesus Christ here in the Book of John, chapter 5, the verse is 30, and He says this,

I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

[John 5:30 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: According to the Lord Jesus Christ, what did He admit regarding the authority and power God gave Him? He said, “I can of Myself do nothing.” So Jesus Christ, without the power God provides Him, is just like all of us. Well, why then did God bless Him with some much ability, and authority, and power to be the Son of God? Well, Christ is the one that taught, “because I do not seek My own will but the will.” He does not use His God-given authority for personal gain. Then whose will is carried out with the authority given to Christ? Jesus is the one that said, “the will of the Father who sent Me.” Now we can see why the devil made such a calculated proposition.

Brother Mark: Unfortunately, we see so many casualties or people who fall for this tactic in a difficult situation or if they’re filled with problems. The devil’s method of using hardships to urge people to self-justify bad choices such as cheating, stealing, robbing, swindling, and even committing murder, it’s seen everywhere. 

Brother Richie: That’s true. So what should we do? How did our Lord Jesus Christ handle this situation? How did our Lord Jesus Christ handle the devil’s temptation to try to get Him to lose His integrity and go against God’s will for personal gain? Let’s go back to what’s written in Luke, chapter 4. We read 1 to 3 earlier, we’ll read what is written in verse 4. It says, 

But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

[Luke 4:4 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Did you notice what our Lord Jesus Christ used to keep Himself safe from making the wrong decision in a difficult situation? Our Lord Jesus Christ followed what is written. Christ did not follow His heart or His gut feeling. 

Brother Mark: Let’s remember that Christ was very hungry at the time. So the thought of having bread to eat is a strong temptation to satisfy, by any means possible, which may even mean going against the will of the Lord God in order to live.

Brother Richie: That’s right. But what written word of God guided our Lord Jesus Christ to keep the proper understanding of life and of God’s will? Christ is the One that said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” So the devil was not able to successfully use hardship to pull Christ away from holding onto or following God’s words. Now, Brother Mark, since our Lord Jesus Christ, He experienced this, He experienced this tactic of the devil. What did our Lord Jesus Christ already forewarn those that will follow Him, right, His followers, His disciples, Christians,…

Brother Mark: The true Christians. 

Brother Richie: …what did He forewarn that they also are going to experience or encounter?

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The Message

What did Christ warn Christians that they will experience?

Brother Mark: Let’s read what the Lord Jesus Christ forewarned those Christians, His true followers. We’ll read here in the Book of Matthew, we’ll read 24:25 and 21,

Remember, I have told you ahead of time.
For then there will be great suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen.

[Matthew 24:25 & 21 New English Translation]

Brother Mark: Here the Lord Jesus Christ warns us what is to come in life. He taught, “there will be great suffering.” And how great? What kind of suffering? He said, “suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen.” And when does the Lord Jesus Christ want us to know about the sufferings that we will encounter? The Lord Jesus Christ said here, “I have told you ahead of time.” He knows that our enemy will try to take advantage of the sufferings that we will experience. He lovingly tells us ahead of time, or beforehand, so that we could prepare and make wise choices.

Brother Richie: Brother Mark, what’s the natural feeling people have when they go into these situations that we also might feel as well?

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The Message

What is the natural feeling people have when experiencing difficulties in life?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s read what that feeling might be of a servant of God who might experience this. In the Book of Job, let’s read 20 and we’ll read verse 22. This is what the Bible tells us,

In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him; the full force of misery will come upon him.

[Job 20:22 New International Version]

Brother Mark: Here, we could see that difficulties come to everyone, even those who have plenty. How do these difficult situations make a person feel? We read, “distress will overtake him.” 

Brother Richie: Now, when people are in distress, they often make poor or even wrong decisions, especially when they’re trying to fight the devil. And even worse, Brother Mark, what happens when the stress and anxiety, it’s not only felt, but it stays with us for a long time?

Brother Mark: If someone experiences those things and it stays with us for a long time, we could read in the Bible what might happen. Here in the Book of Proverbs, we’ll read 12, and the verse is 25,

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression …


[Proverbs 12:25 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Unfortunately, we see this more and more as time goes by. Some so-called experts are calling depression [an] epidemic these days. Due to poverty or a lack of basic needs, people suffer the added stress of life, and when they can’t seem to find any solution, they fall into a state of depression. 

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The Message

Making Wise Choices in Times of Hardship

Brother Richie: So what is the ultimate solution, then, ultimate solution to depression, hardships, lack of needs, how do we solve that?

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The Message

What is the ultimate solution when experiencing hardship and lack of needs?

Brother Mark: Let’s read in the Book of Deuteronomy the solution that the Lord God gives to us. We’ll read Deuteronomy 15, we’ll read 4 to 5,

In any case, there shouldn’t be any poor people among you, because the LORD your God will certainly bless you in the land he is giving you as your own possession. He will bless you only if you listen carefully to the LORD your God and faithfully obey all these commands I’m giving you today.

[Deuteronomy 15:4-5 God’s Word]

Brother Mark: The Bible teaches that in any case there shouldn’t be any poor people among you. Why shouldn’t there be any poor people? We read, “because the LORD your God will certainly bless you.” 

Brother Richie: So if the Lord God that created us blesses us, then we will never lack in our needs. Why would there be people in dire situations then, and in hardships, if God promises to bless us, you might think? Brother Mark, these promises of God, is this first of all, is this just to anyone and everyone and do these promises, do they come to people unconditionally? It’s going to come no matter what?

Brother Mark: You know, Brother Richie, that’s not how it works. What is it that we should understand regarding God’s blessings? We read here, “He will bless you only if …” This proves that God requires a condition to be met before receiving His blessings. And what is the condition that God set? We read here, “listen carefully to the LORD your God and faithfully obey all these commands.” 

Brother Richie: So, like our Lord Jesus Christ, there will be times that we, too, are in need, so much so that we might be vulnerable. But now we see why the Lord Jesus Christ decided to hold on to and obey God’s words instead of trying to solve His problems His own way. Christ knew obeying God’s commands would lead to receiving the blessings He needed, which God would provide. This is the reason why the Lord Jesus Christ really is the ultimate example to follow.

Brother Mark: We should follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ had to fight the devil and defeat the devil’s attempt to ruin His relationship with God. And since Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, the begotten Son of God, defended Himself by obeying and holding on to what is written in the Bible, we should do the same when we are put in difficult situations and the enemy tries to offer alternative solutions. 

Let’s not ruin our integrity and relationship with the Lord God. During times of hardship, you should endure—endure these sufferings by making wise choices and remaining faithful and obedient to the words of our Lord God. 

Brother Richie: Brother Mark, what is the ultimate outcome of following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ that would all the more motivate us to do the same thing that He did?

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The Message

What is the outcome if we follow Christ’s example?

Brother Mark: Let’s read what the outcome is in the Book of Second Thessalonians. We’ll read 1:4 until 5,

We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you. All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now,

[II Thessalonians 1:4-5 The Message]

Brother Mark: Here we learned that there were people of whom the apostles were so proud of. And what characteristics did they have? We read that they were “so steady and determined in [your] faith despite all the hard times.” And since they chose to obey God despite suffering, what is God’s decision for them? We read, “All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom.” 

Brother Richie: Now this is what we hope and pray for, for all of those watching. Now, to be fit for the Kingdom of heaven, we must remain true to God, making wise choices no matter what we go through in this life. Remember, we can’t avoid having to fight the devil, and our enemy will keep trying to ruin our relationship with God and will use hardships to tempt us away from obeying God’s teachings. May we all follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, and hold on tight to God’s words written in the Bible. 

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The Message

Making Wise Choices in Times of Hardship

Brother Mark: Are you also going through hardship right now? Well, we hope that the words of God we studied today, and the perfect example of our Lord Jesus Christ, have inspired you. 

Brother Richie: Now, let us take this moment to further fuel our faith and watch this inspiring testimony from Marisol on this episode of Stories of Faith. She shares about her spiritual journey and how it took her from hardship to hope. Let’s take a look.

[Video source: https://incmedia.org/i-was-broken-and-god-helped-me-heal/]

Brother Richie: We hope Marisol’s story serves as a powerful reminder that you’re never alone in your spiritual journey. 

Brother Mark: We encourage you to keep learning more of God’s written words taught here inside the Church Of Christ. Visit a congregation near you. Or if you want, ask us a question now by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings of the Bible.

Brother Richie: Now, if you’re already going through those lessons or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, we hope that the message you heard today has brought you closer to God and deepened your understanding of the truth taught here inside the Church Of Christ. 

On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we are grateful for you joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Richie: Our heavenly Father. We thank You so much for being able to hear Your truth at this time. We see how You are protecting us. You are guiding us from the tricks and deceptions of our enemy, the devil. For this we praise You, and we truly do honor Your most holy Name. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ, we also approach You, because You are our mediator to God. And You really are the ultimate example for us to follow. Thank You for your guidance. Thank You for showing us how to handle the deceptions of the enemy. We do ask You, dear Lord, help us to have the same conviction that You have. Help us to have the same faith, dear Lord, that we will be able to always focus on what our God expects of us, we can hold on to His teachings and hopefully we’ll be able to end up where You are, there with our Father in heaven.

Our Lord God, we do ask that You please continue to allow the words that we have heard to sink deep into our hearts. And for those that are watching, please continue to show mercy. Allow everyone to have more opportunities to grow in the knowledge of Your truth, that all the more we will have the guidance to remain under Your loving mercy and Your protection.

We do pray for the Church Administration that You are using to guide the entire Church, Your nation in these last days. Please bless our leaders. Bless the Church Administration. Bless our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo Manalo, and our Deputy Executive Minister, Brother Angelo Eraño Manalo. We ask that You bless them for the sake of the entire Church.

We believe You hear our prayer. We believe You have blessed us, dear Father. 

All of these things we ask and pray for through the name of Your son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Amen

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