Flooded with Challenges and Obstacles 6-7-25

Last week I posted a message about my “Health Update” (May 24th) and how I had received good reports, praise the Lord. However, a few days after the post, my body was afflicted with challenges and obstacles.

Challenges – some may object to certain messages- and require proof. The pharisees challenged Jesus; they were always trying to trip Him up, which means to trap an opponent in a debate by pointing out a flaw in their argument. But as Jesus always came back with an answer from the Word (He is the Word), I do the same thing; back up everything I say with the Word of God rightly divided (2 Timothy 2:15).

Going back to the pharisees challenging Jesus, How could anyone challenge the One who knows everything? But guess who did? Those religious hypocritical pharisees.

Insight- AI Overview

Yes, in the New Testament, the Pharisees are depicted as repeatedly trying to trap Jesus through trick questions or deceptive actions to discredit his teachings and authority. They would often engage in manipulative tactics to ensnare him in a legal or theological error. Here's why:

Desire to discredit Jesus:

The Pharisees, as religious leaders, sought to maintain their authority and control over the religious practices of their time. They saw Jesus's teachings and actions as a threat to their established order. Fear of Jesus's growing influence: Jesus's popularity and the miracles he performed were gaining him followers, challenging the Pharisees' position. 

Disagreement with Jesus's teachings:

The Pharisees disagreed with Jesus's interpretation of Jewish law and his rejection of certain rabbinic traditions. 

Hypocrisy:

Jesus frequently criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and their focus on external rituals over genuine piety. 

Attempts to trap Jesus:

They used trick questions, such as asking about paying taxes to Caesar or the validity of a specific religious practice, to try and catch him in contradictions or legal errors. 

Obstacles – different things coming upon us to impede, prevent or block  our progress. Just this week, I had an attack on my body; a messenger was sent from Satan to buffet me (2 Corinthians 12:7). And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9).  

Yet it never stopped me from moving forward despite the sickness that came in my body. AND my bank account was compromised!

Years ago, I learned that the devil would try to interrupt what we’re doing to help someone else be set free; he’ll afflict you in one way or another. The awesome testimony that precedes from that, is when people see and hear that the devil only interrupted you, but he could not stop you from doing God’s will.

The principle was the same when Adam sinned; the devil interrupted God’s plan, but he could not stop it (Genesis 3:15). Thanks be to God for the last Adam, Jesus the Christ who gives us victory over the devil (1 Corinthians 15:57).

His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org