Overcoming Hope for Overwhelming Challenges! | Part 3 – Challenging People Challenges!

John 15:18,19 (MSG)

“If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you …”

John 16:33 (NIRV)

“In this world you will have trouble (buckle your faith-belt, turbulence ahead). But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.”

Romans 8:37 (NIRV)

In all these things (sin, suffering, Satan, people with problems, people who have problems with us) we are more than winners! We owe it all to Christ, who has loved us.

Hope-Fueling Priority #1 –

Keep in Jesus!

1 Peter 2:2 (LB)

… Grow up into the fullness of your salvation;

2 Peter 1:3-5 (NLT)

God has given us everything we need for living a godly life … he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. ⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

2 Peter 1:5-8 (MSG)

… Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love … with these qualities active and growing in your lives … no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. 

Romans 14:19 (NIV)

Make every effort to do what leads to peace …

Ephesian 4:3 (NIV)

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit

2 Peter 3:14 (NLT)

Make every effort to live a pure and blameless life.

Philippians 3:12 (LB)
… I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.

Hope-Fueling Priority #2 –

Keep  for Jesus!

1 Peter 2:12 (ERV)

People who don’t believe are living all around you … so live such good lives that they will see the good you do, and they will give glory to God on the day he comes.

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)

You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?

… You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Hope-Fueling Priority #3 –

Keep Jesus!

1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

… Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21-24 (NIV)

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Romans 12:19 (NLT)

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:20-21 (NLT)

Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on their heads. (They will be ashamed for what they did to you)” ²¹ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.