First Corinthians chapter 10, and we'll just read one verse of Scripture. I'm going to start a series on dealing with problems, and life is filled with them. Amen? You know, I've said this before, you've got people, you've got problems. Why? Because that's where problems come from. They come from people. It comes from sin. It comes from disobedience to God's Word. You know, the sin nature and so on. But I want to try to encourage your heart tonight. I've got a very simple and, I think, profound message on problems. And it's something that we have to face biblically and Do it for God's glory. Amen. Notice verse 13, if you would, and let's pray. Father, thank You so much for the Word of God, and thank You, Father, for the practicality of it. The Bible says that You've given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, and we thank You for that. We thank You for not only the things that we need spiritually, but things that we just need day by day. I pray, Father, for the power of the Holy Spirit upon this service. We pray You speak to all of our hearts. Help us, Father, not just be hearers, but doers of the Word. I pray that You would encourage our hearts tonight with the Word of God, and I pray You'd be glorified in not only what we hear, but how we respond. And I pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Notice, if you would, 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 13, "...there hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. Thank you. You may be seated. One man said that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do or what you do with it. In other words, you know, things are going to happen, but how we respond, how we respond is so important. in life. Now, there are problems, you know this, every part of life, there's spiritual problems, physical problems, there's emotional problems, intellectual problems, mechanical problems, financial problems, marital problems, family problems, spiritual, sorry, societal problems, and then health problems. So it's part of life. You're going to have problems. And Paul states that to the church at Corinth, that temptations trials, problems are common for man. Now know this, that temptation means testing or trials or problems or proving a part of life. There's no escaping it. You know, there are some in certain sectors of Christianity, I say that loosely, that would have you think that because you're a Christian, there's no problems. And I would tell you that because you are a Christian, you have more problems. And you do. You have a devil to deal with and the world and the flesh that you really didn't deal with when you were lost. You're part of it. But when you get saved into God's kingdom, things change. Now know this, that first of all, with problems, God is faithful. Let that sink in. You might want to write this down. God is faithful. And if God be for us, Romans 8, who can be against us? You have to understand that. It doesn't matter what happens. I had a physical problem, spiritual problem, financial problem. If God is for us, who can be against us? Now, many times problems are self-inflicted, but that does not mean God's not with us. If you're saved, God is with you. Second of all, God will not allow you to be tempted above that you're able. Notice he says it in verse 13. He said, God is for you who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you're able. So, there's no temptation or trial or problem going to come into your life and you say, I can't take it anymore. Well, God's grace is sufficient and you can take it. God allows these things in our lives. He allows them for many different reasons. One reason is to bring us love, to humble us, to bring us to trust God completely. Another thought here is God always makes a way to escape. Let's go to the book of James, if you would. James chapter 1. I know Brother Inks said it was there just a Sunday or so ago. But James chapter 1. And I want you to notice verse 2 and 3. The Bible says, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the triangle of your faith worketh patience. And then notice, In these words that God uses, there's temptation, there's trials, there's testing. Notice verse 12, "...bless the man that endureth temptation. For when he's tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised them that love him." So James, first of all, says, count it all joy when you come into these unusual trials. Lots of times people get depressed. This trial I can't take it. It's too much. Well, it's not too much Because God promised that he wouldn't give you too much to handle So it's not too much your problem is you're not yielding to God like you should And then notice if you would again about these problems those first Peter chapter 4 first Peter chapter 4 verse 12 to 14, please and And the Bible says here in verse 12, Beloved, think ye not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice. Now there's another verse, count it all joy in James. He says rejoice. And why should we rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's suffering? that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also and exceed joy. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. For the spirit of glory and of God rested upon you, on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." So God is telling us that in these trials, temptations, these problems, that we're to rejoice in the Lord. We're not to get down in the mouth and depressed and overwhelmed by these things. We're rejoicing in God. Now notice chapter 5 of 1 Peter, chapter 5 verse 7. The Bible says, Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Now notice what he goes into here. He says, Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resists steadfast in the faith, Now what does Ephesians tell us about standing up against the devil? Excuse me? Resist? What else? What's that? Yeah, flee from the devil, that's another one. But Ephesians 6, what does God say there in the Word? Alright, he tells us to stand and having done all to stand." We're to stand up against the devil with the whole armor of God, with the word of God. So here the Bible is saying, and these are the other things we said are true, but notice he says here, whom resist, resist Satan, he'll what? He'll flee. Resist steadfast in the faith knowing that the same affliction our company accomplished in your brethren are in the world But the God notice he says here, but the God of all grace Who has called us unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that you have suffered a while make it perfect or complete or mature Steadfast Abba strength and settled you to him be glory and dominion forever and ever amen. I So here again, God is telling us to rejoice. God is telling us to praise God in trials, in problems, and again also to stand up against the devil because sometimes that's where these problems come from. It's an attack of Satan. Now give me a Bible story. You have to speak out tonight. Give me a Bible story where the Bible clearly says that the devil attacked that child of God. Job. Very good. first two chapters. All out assault on Job. Who's another one who was attacked by the devil? Matthew 4. Jesus. Amen? So, Satan's no respecter of persons. Okay? If he's going to attack the Son of God, he's going to attack you. Amen? Now, you're going to have to talk to me tonight, beloved. I know it's, you know, dark out. You know, just a month ago it was the sunshine and lollipops and Now it's dark, and I know you all want to be in your pajamas getting ready for bed, but we're here. Amen? So let's make it profitable. So stay with me on this. So we find here that these trials, these temptations, again, you know, sometimes are from the devil. But God tells us how to deal with these things. Now, problems are inevitable. and unavoidable. Some Christians think now that I'm a child of God, that everything's going to be wonderful, I'll have no problems in my life. Chapter and verse. Chapter and verse. You know, do yourself a favor. When you're thinking about the Bible or you're in a situation, think what the Bible says about it. Someone told me recently, you've heard this before, you know, what should I look for when I get saved? What kind of feelings, this is what they said, what kind of feelings will I have when I get saved? That's what the Bible says. They're kind of silent. He said, give me a chapter and verse. Well, it doesn't say anything about feelings. Right. So I don't know. But that's not what we're looking for. Feelings. We're looking for knowledge. Hereby know we, know we, that we dwell in Him and He knows because He has given us His Spirit. These are written that you may know that you have eternal life. So again, the idea is this, when you come up with a question or someone asks you, what does the Bible say about it? What sayeth the Lord? Amen? And that also is very important in solving problems. Now again, problems are a way by which God helps us mature in faith and grace to grow in the Lord, to grow in the grace of God. Problems are not bad. A lot of people say, oh, I've got problems that are bad. They're not necessarily bad. And we'll get to that in a moment. But problem solving is a central activity of life. Think about all that you do. Think about marriage. You first get saved and throughout your marriage, what is it? It's a lot of problem solving. It's working things out. It's, as the Bible says in Ephesians 5, submitting yourselves one to another. That's marriage. They got problems with children. What do a lot of parents do? They're solving problems. It's mine, mine, mine, back and forth. You're solving problems. Well, who had it first? Whose toy is it? You know? A lot of parents figure out, well, who's going to give me the hardest time? They go to the lesser child and they say, well, just give it to your brother or your sister so we don't have to deal with this. But that's not problem solving. That's pushing off the problem and you'll have bigger problems later on. Sometimes there's a problem at work. Sometimes there's problems in society, sometimes a health problem, but it's not always bad. The problems seem to grow more and more complex each year, and especially in these last days, perilous times shall come. We have some crazy problems in our world right now. Problem solvers become better problem solvers as they deal with them. It's a wonderful thing to know how to deal with problems and to solve them. Sometimes you can't solve them on the spot, but you can solve them. Problem solvers respond rather than react. That's very important in life. Don't react. Respond. There's a difference. Most times people react, they react in the wrong spirit. But you want to respond to the problem. Say, what can we do? What can we do to help and solve this problem? Let's get to the root of it, not the symptom. Let's get to the root of it. Now, there are some false attitudes towards problems. Problems are not good for the child of God because of stress, conflict. Maybe it takes time to solve. It may take money. It may take confrontation. But I'm telling you that in dealing with problems, to help solve them is really a blessing in life. And that's what you want to be. You single young guys, gals, you're not married yet and so on. You want to learn to be a problem solver because that's what you're going to face the rest of your days. You have problems. Not that there's problems every day, but there are problems. And learn how to work things out. Learn how to confront things in your youth to be a problem solver, not a sweep under the carpet with problems. We would like a smooth, non-confrontational, easy life, but that's not life. Life has problems too. Things break. Just think of all the things you have to deal with over the years. Things break and a car breaks down, a washing machine, a dryer, a dishwasher. You know, all of a sudden your wife breaks down hitting the dishwasher. But anyway, the thought here is this, is that things break. And you've got to replace them. It's a problem. I've got to get it fixed. I've got to get it to work. I've got to take care of this. I've got to have this now. Problems. You have problems on the highway. You know, traffic. People slowing down because they see a police officer on the side of the road. They slow down and look. An accident. Problems. Now, some would say, again, that a lack of problems should be a reward for hard work. careful planning or clear thinking. Let me tell you this, and this is a fact. You know, plan your work and work and plan. If you really are thoughtful about something that you're doing and try to think of all the things to get this project done or this, whatever it may be, you may solve a lot of problems by thinking ahead of time. Thinking ahead of time. Sometimes people don't think about something and actually know they're, you know, up to their elbows in problems. So you want to think ahead. You want to think about the project, the thought, the issue, the problem. Sometimes it's a good thing when there's a problem in the home, talk about it as much as you can, but if you can't solve it, say, look, let's all go to bed at peace tonight, but we're going to deal with this tomorrow morning or tomorrow night. We're going to come back and sit around the round table and iron this thing out. I'm going to pray about it. Because I want an answer to this. This can't continue. And then solve the problem. And solve the problem, they say, we're not doing this anymore. You're not doing that anymore. You can't do that anymore. That's important. That's very important. You've heard this verse of Scripture before, cast out the scorn and what? strife will cease, strife will cease. Sometimes you have to send your child, your little child, little Johnny or Esmeralda to the room. Cast them out. You go in your room until you come back with a better attitude. And you apologize the way you treated us. So you do that. I did it. Liz and I did it for years. You remove them, just like church discipline. If they're a true convert, If there's a real relationship there, that child will come back to the family and that removed church will come back and apologize and make things right. Jesus said they don't count them as a heathen. So, you've got to think these things through. But a problem of free life is what many hope for, but it's not possible. Not in this life. In the millennium, yes. But not in this life. Now, we'd like to believe that evil doers have problems, but we don't have problems, but lots of times you see them prospering and we have a whole boatload of problems. Now we ask why would a just and loving God permit his children to experience problems and difficult trials? Why would that happen? Well, let's go to Psalm 73. Brother Inkson, I'm going to ask you for your help, if you would. Psalm 73, and read verse 1 to 24. David is confused about this, and look how this whole thing works out here. Psalm 73 and verse 1 to 24. If you'd help me, brother, I'd appreciate it. To the gods, good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well and I slid. For I would envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no man in death, for the strength is firm. They are not in trouble with other men, neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride cometh to them about the change, and violence covereth them in the darkness. Their eyes stand down to fatness. They have more than heart to wish. They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression. They speak lawfully. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people discern the earth, and waters of a full cup are brought out to them. And they say, How does God know, and is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world, All right, let's just stop right there. So, do you see what David's talking about here, the psalmist? And he's talking about, you know, the unsaved, the prospering, that things are going well and so on. But notice he says here in verse 12, that these are the ungodly who prosper in the world. They increase in riches. Please continue, brother. I have cleansed my heart of vain and washed my hands of innocency. For all the days along have I been plagued and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus, behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I sought to know this, it was too painful for me. So I went into the sanctuary of God. Then understood I their aim. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places. Thou didst cast them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation as in a moment they are utterly consumed with terror. And the dream would not awake. So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my wring. So foolish was I. All right, Rennie, would you just stop for a second, brother? Is he breathing, George? He is breathing. Okay. All right. Please continue. I'm sorry. We were going to go into a prayer meeting just right now. We got aunts, nurses, mothers, grandmothers all taking. Thank you so much. Brother, would you go back two verses, if you would, please? I'm sorry about that. I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thank you, brother, so much. So here's what we see. David is looking at the world. He's seeing these problems here and in his life and God's people and maybe in Israel. And he's seeing the ungodly prosper. He's confused about it. But what does he say? What's the turning point in this psalm here? Anyone know? Go ahead, brother. Yes. He went to the sanctuary of God. Yeah, and look, that's why preaching is so important. It's to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. To cause us to remember why. You're here four hours a week, and you understand what I'm saying. I know a little bit more, a little bit less, whatever. But you're here Wednesday night and then three hours of preaching on Sunday. But think about all the time you're in the world. That you're bombarded with things. Think about all the TV shows. I hope you don't spend a lot of time in front of the TV. Think about all the TV shows without God. People not mentioning God. People not saying, let's pray about this. We've got a problem. I know God will lead us. Think about all the godlessness in the world. The godlessness in leadership in countries. Communist countries. You know, there is no God. And other countries where they don't acknowledge God. Think about states that don't acknowledge God. I'm telling you, if I was the governor of California, I'd call the people to prayer every day, praying, God, give us rain. See, but they're not going to do that. They're too smart. But he said, I went to the sanctuary. What do you do? I learned something. I'm reminded again. And so David realized that there's problems, but God is working our lives. And this is the best. This is heaven for the lost. Earth is heaven for the lost. To us, this is the worst it's ever going to be. Now, thank you, Brother Randy. Now, one of the best things one can do while facing problems, this is so important, is having a spiritual attitude. Repeat that to me. When you're dealing with a problem, what's one of the most important things to have? Spiritual attitude. That's the first thing you have to have. A spiritual attitude. And think about this, if you would. The decision is not if you accept the problem as part of life, but how. How are you going to accept the problem? Are you going to accept it in a fleshly manner? A carnal worldly manner? Or are you going to accept it spiritually? Beloved, the best way to deal with problems is to deal with spiritually. Now how we see a situation is a product of what we believe we are seeing. I want to repeat that. How we see a situation is a product of what we believe we are seeing. In other words, we see things not as they are, but as we are. We see things not as they are, but as we are. So if I'm worldly, how am I going to see a problem? With worldly eyes. If I'm carnal, how am I going to see things? With a carnal eye. If I'm spiritual, I want to see it through spiritual eyes. Let's go back to the book of Numbers, chapter 13, please. Numbers, chapter 13. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. I'm not doing that for you, I'm doing it for me. Alright, here we go. So notice chapter 13. You know the story, it's about the 12 spies. God had told them, I'm going to give you the land. That's what God said. I'm going to give you the land. So, the people say, that's great, amen, praise the Lord, but we don't check it out anyway. Bad decision. So, 2 of the 12 was Joshua and Caleb. And what we find here is, we'll pick up verse 30, we find how they viewed this. Notice verse 30, the Bible says, and Caleb still the people before Moses said, let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, we'd be not able to go up against the people. They're stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land, which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, the land through which we have gone to search is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof. And all the people that saw it are men of great stature. And there we saw the giants, the son of Ammon, which come of the giants. And we were in their own sight as what? Grasshoppers. And so, we were in their sight. So, again, we're going back. We see things, not as it is, but as we are. So, if we're spiritually minded, we're going to see things through the promise of God. That's the best way to live. And look at Caleb. He's still the people who say, let's go quiet down here. He said, let us go but once in possessions, for we're well able to overcome it. Why? Because of God's promises. Because of God's promises. So, Enoch has spied out the land, the situation, and he comes back acting out in faith. We're able. We are able. The negative report, they acted out by sight, not by faith. We're like grasshoppers, figuring Enoch's alive. God said, I'm going to give you the land. If God said it, what was the problem? People, they didn't believe God. Notice chapter 14, if you would. Chapter 14, and notice verse 6 to 10. And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephthah, which were of them that searched land, rent their clothes, and he spake unto the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land which we possess, which we pass through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it us, and a land that flows with milk and honey. But let me just back up and tell you, earlier, I think it was chapter 12, God told them, I'm going to give you that land. Go possess it. The Bible goes on and says here in verse 9, and only rebel not ye against the Lord. How would they rebel? By not acting in faith. He that cometh to God without faith in an apostle of his God, he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and he is a reward of them that diligently seek him. So he says, only rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land, for they are bread for us. They're saying, oh, we're like grasshoppers. He said, they're like bread. They're like a good bagel. We're not just going to devour them. They're ours. And their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Fear them not. For all the congregation bade stone them with stones, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation for all the children of Israel. So you find here, again, where Joshua takes a stand, and he says we ought to go possess the land, and he says the Lord is with us. Fear them not. Now, beloved, here's a good verse. Great is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. If God before us, who could be against us? See, these are important verses, beloved, to rest your soul upon. Because we're living in perilous times. We're living in difficult days, dark days, unspiritual days, demonic days. Demonic days. So as a result of it, we've got to be spiritually minded. And we're going to have problems. You have problems yesterday, you have problems today, you're going to have problems tomorrow. But you've got to be spiritually minded as you deal with them. Now, again, why should they go possess land? Because God said He'd give it to them. What does God say about problems in general or or specifically. That's the question we have to ask. We have a problem in our life. What does the Bible say? Is there a specific verse? Is there a principle that I'm to go by? And you know I've quoted so many times, Proverbs 3, 5, and 6, trust in the Lord with what? All thine heart, lean not unto thy what? Right? In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall what? So there's a principle in life. You may say, well, there's no Bible verse for this, but there it is. That's the principle. You trust in God with all your heart. Lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path. God can solve a problem like that. I mean, just so quickly. It's not a problem for God to solve problems. Amen? He's able. He's all-powerful. He's omnipotent. The last time I went to the hospital, I went in there on a Monday, And they were telling me that I was going to be in for two weeks at least. I'm going to have to leave with a PICC line and antibiotics for the end of the year. But, you know, I was in there Monday. I was out Friday. No PICC line. You know, I mean, I know God's people praying for me. Well, God solved the problem. I wasn't going to argue with them. I had plans. I had things to do. I had to preach that Sunday. Amen? So God is able. And what we need to do is trust God with all our hearts. If there's a problem and you don't have an answer for it, you go to God, casting all your care upon Him. Why? He cares for you. And when you acknowledge God, you're humbling yourself before Him, and you're realizing it's God who has to take care of this problem. Let me give you a few more thoughts. We'll close. Let me say this, that we magnify our problems, first of all, by doubting God. I quoted to you Hebrews 11, 6 already. Let's go to Matthew chapter 13. Matthew 13. I'm not sure if I wrote this verse down right. Matthew chapter 13, and notice if you would, verse 58. Notice the Bible says He did not many mighty works there because of their what? Unbelief. So, the first thing you do when you cause yourself more problems is doubt. You want to frustrate yourself, lost person? Just put God on trial whether He'll save you or not. I don't know if God will save me. You're going to cause yourself some problems. Second of all is procrastination, not dealing with it. A lot of parents are that way with their kids. Don't deal with it. I don't want to deal with it right now. I don't want to deal with it. Put them to bed. I don't want to face it. I don't want to have to. And next thing you know, they get older. Now you've got some serious problems on your hands. Don't procrastinate. You let that drip keep dripping, you're going to have a big problem on your hands. You keep driving with, you know, no brakes, you're going to have a big problem on your hands. So you can't procrastinate. You got to take care of things. And then third of all is, you know, self, I'm sorry, I can't read my writing. Oh, self-preoccupation. You know, why me? Why did this happen to me? Why not you? Why should you think it's not going to happen to you? Being overwhelmed. I can't deal with this problem. I'm just depressed. I can't deal with it. That is so unchristian. It's ungodly. You think God's dead? You can't deal with it? Well, maybe you can, but God can. So that's why you want to cast all your care upon Him. But Christians get overwhelmed or they react with being unspiritual. They're not thinking right. Or worldly reaction, you know. I just watched Oprah and some of the talk, maybe they can deal with the subject, give me some insight how to deal with it. That is lunacy. But that's what a lot of people do. But what does Oprah have to say about it? Who cares what Oprah has to say about it? Is she a believer? Is she saved? She a child of God? Don't say, well, I don't know, Pastor. Okay. You sure don't. Let's go to Psalm 34, if you would. Psalm 34. We have to be spiritually minded when we deal with problems. You know, you don't run to the world with these things. Notice Psalm 34 and verse 3. This is a great thought here. Psalm 34 and verse 3. Notice the Bible says here, O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. Now there's a spiritual reaction to something. There's a problem. Let's do this. Lord, I don't know what it is, but I know You. I know that You can take care of this. I know that You're holy. I know that You're good. I know that You're omniscient. You know everything. And Lord, I just praise you and thank you for that. And Lord, I don't know what this problem is going to become. I don't know if it's going to get worse. I don't know what's going to happen. But I don't know what to do. I can't think of a verse. If there's a verse in the Bible, would you lay it on my heart? And second of all, would you lay that principle on it, which I gave you already, Proverbs 3, 5, and 6. And Lord, I'm trusting you to take... I'm going to magnify you. I'm going to praise you. What did Job do when he was attacked? He got on his face before God. He praised God. What to do when you don't know what to do is praise the Lord. And, beloved, sometimes in life, you know, I was young, I didn't think there would be, but sometimes in life I don't have an answer right away. But I know God does. God always has an answer. God knows everything. So we have to go to Him. We have to trust Him. We have to rest Him. We have to glorify Him. But you know what a lot of people do? An unspiritual person would say, well, here's what David said, oh, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. But here's an unspiritual person, oh, magnify our problem with me and let us speak of them until they become impossible. That's where a lot of lost people are, a lot of unsaved people are. They just all talk about the problem, the problem, the problem, the problem, the problem, and it gets bigger all the time. But let's talk about the Lord. You say, well, that's not really reality, Preacher. I mean, I'm in business and I'm not Oh, okay. Yeah. Let me tell you, that's reality. That's reality because there is a God. And if you don't have an answer to your problem, you need to go to God and praise Him. Draw an eye to God and what? Draw an eye to you. And that's what you want. That's what you want in dealing with problems. Don't keep talking about the problem. It just gets worse. Go to God and look for resolution. look for an answer, look for peace, look for guidance, direction. I'll give you a couple of things to remember. We'll go through this quickly. Notice, first of all, things to remember. The first thing to remember is God. They have no temptation taking you, but such is common man. But God is faithful. You make sure you understand that. Hide that in your heart. But God is faithful. Second of all is All things work together for good to them that love God. That's not all things work together for good for everyone. For lost people, that's for saved people who love God, who are called according to His purpose. So if you're right with the Lord, you're walking with the Lord, you're trying to please God, you're trying to live right, all things work together. Verse 29 speaks about we're predestined to be conformed to the image of the Son. God worked in our life to make us like Jesus. And sometimes, beloved, in the Christian life, God has to just purge us. So He puts us through the, if I can say it this way, the way the spiritual wringer. You ever see those old wash tubs? Then they have that wringer that used to put the clothes through? That's what God does with us sometimes. He puts us in a pressure cooker, in a situation to just bring us low. Why? because He wants to make us like Jesus. Then another thought here is found in Philippians chapter 4. Let's go there quickly. Philippians chapter 4. I think you know if you know your Bibles where I'm going to, but this is so important in dealing with problems. Philippians chapter 4 and notice if you would please, verse 6 through 9. And the Bible says here in chapter 4 verse 6, Be careful for nothing. That speaks about being anxious. Don't be a worrywart. That's unspiritual. That's not faith. Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. All right, so what does God say? Don't be anxious, but in everything, by prayer, supplication with what? No whispering. With what? Thanksgiving. So when you come before God, come with Thanksgiving. Praises. Come with a worshipful spirit. Even if it's a big problem. So Lord, I want to thank You for all things. I want to thank You for this problem. I don't know the answer, Lord, but You do. But I want to thank You that You entrusted me with this problem. Father, I want to do the right thing. I want to come out in the right place. I want to glorify you in this matter. I don't want to be like the world. So God, help me. I praise you for it. I thank you already for the answer you're going to give me, whatever it is. See, it's so important. Prayer and supplication. A greater form of prayer. A deeper prayer. A work of prayer and thanksgiving. Then he goes on and says this. Notice now. He says, Make your request known unto God, and the peace of God which passeth all and stayeth, and shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. That's what you want. You want God's peace. Some people live in the profession of a Christian as neurotic people. It's always worrying. Always worrying. Well, what if the roof falls in? Well, what if it falls in? We got insurance on the house? We'll get it fixed. Just make sure you're not in that room when it does. Well, if the house catches on fire, make sure everyone gets out. Well, what if we get in a car accident? What if you don't? What would you worry about then? That's what some people do. They just want to worry. Just like some people wake up every day and look for an offense. They want to be offended. Oh, that's an offense. I'm offended at that. Well, some people wake up, what can I worry about today? That's the last thing I want to do. And you know the monster in my home, when I worry, Say it, girls. That's right. But if I'm not worried, don't you worry about it. I have some people more worried about my health than I'm worried about my health. I'm not worried about my health. Say, come on, preach. Tell the truth. All right. I'm not worried about me. Everything that comes to my life is either designed or allowed by God. And I'm going to do my part, and I know God does His part. So we're not to worry about things. That's a waste of a life to worry about things. Be anxious for nothing. Now, these are people who lost their jobs, who were thrown in prisons, who were beaten, who were murdered, who were going to be in the Colosseums eaten by lions, beaten to death and so on. This is first century Christianity. And God, through the Apostle Paul, says, be anxious for nothing. What are we worried about? Notice the Bible says, "...and peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds of Christ Jesus." Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true. Now, what are you worried about? Is it true? What's the problem? Is it true? Well, if it's not true, then what are you worried about? Why are you thinking? But it could happen. But it could not happen. Forgive me for my English, Ms. Landridge, but it could not. It doesn't have to happen. I mean, it will happen. Whosoever, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are good reported, they're being virtue, they're being praised, think on these things. I'm telling you, beloved, I'm telling you right now, there's some bad things going on in our world. I'm not here to disturb you, I'm here to warn you, to get your head on straight. Let's go to 1 Thessalonians 5, we'll close. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. We're not to be worried. We're thinking on things that are true. And notice the last verse here, verse 18. In everything, give what? Say it. Give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. So when dealing with problems, I've given you a whole bunch of answers here. The main thing is this, is respond to the problems spiritually. Don't be worldly. Well, Dr. Phil says, don't worry about Dr. Phil. What does the Bible say? That's what you want. That's what you want. Let's say it the Lord. And when you do it God's way, it always works out the best way. So we have problems. What's your problem tonight? What are your problems tonight? So my problem is our financial preacher. Alright. So what does the Bible say? What's the answer for our financial problem? You have to speak out. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, what? Most of these things will be added? All. Amen? So, first things first. Make sure the button is in the right hole, the first hole, first button, and it'll all be right. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. You know, you need wisdom. If any man need lack of wisdom, ask of God. He'll give it to all men liberally. I need wisdom. I don't know if God's going to give me wisdom. He said He would. Amen? You know, give and shall be given unto you. So, there are problems in life. It's part of life. And it's good for us. Because the way that God uses it will work in our life. But you always want to respond spiritually to problems. What does the Bible say? Give your pastor a call and say, Pastor, would you pray with me on this? I don't know what to do. I need an answer, and I know God's going to give it to me. If you have an answer, I'd be more than happy to take it, but would you pray about this? Have a friend pray with you about it. Have your family pray about it. But there's an answer. God has answers. And that's how we have to face our problems. Let's stand on our feet, please. Heads are bowed, eyes are closed. No one looking around. Father, thank you so much for the time, for the Word of God, and for the series that we've