1. Introduction

Man does not live a vibrant life without challenges. Some people get up to eat, sleep, and then get up to eat again. Is such a life good? Do you want to live a life devoid of glory? We all do not. Let us begin to emulate our God, who is a God of action. Genesis 1:1 states, The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and God began the work of creation. God wants to destroy the world we live in. Some say our lives are so wonderful, why destroy it? Because God wants to build a new world filled with His glory.

Man needs to strive in life. Do not think that you will collapse when faced with great challenges; you will surely find a way out. When you do, you will see God's glory manifested in your life. In our ministry, we often see brothers and sisters in a state of darkness over the surface of the deep, but through our ministry, they are all transformed. We still face many problems. If we focus on the problems, we will be discouraged. However, we must rise up. Without challenges, there is no growth. Begin to see that what was below rises to the top—this is to reign above and not below. What was at the end rises to the head—this is to be the head and not the tail.

Those with children should not be afraid or worried. Guide your children onto the right path. Economic crises are not crises but opportunities. Rising and falling real estate prices are also opportunities. The ups and downs of the stock market present great opportunities. Entrepreneurs are forged through challenges. Without challenges, there is no growth.

2. Scripture

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Many do not know what Paul’s thorn was. Many think it was an illness. This is a challenge that causes our lives to grow. We grow when we see ourselves overcoming our weaknesses. God challenged Paul in this way. Paul wrote so many epistles, and we thank God that He challenged Paul in such a way that he could write the foundation for building a glorious church. In the midst of challenges, what is eternal remains eternal, and what is not eternal is shaken off. This thorn is weaknesses, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Now, whatever is overcome grows. Enjoyment does not cause us to grow. Weaknesses, reproaches, and persecutions—more growth comes through these challenges. Such challenges can build a glorious church. We must thank God that such challenges allow what is eternal to remain eternal.

3. Prayer

May God add strength and grace to us, so that we are not afraid of challenges but grow through them, and distribute blessings and grace. Amen!

4. Paul's Life Was One of Challenges

Paul's thorn was a challenge. A person should live a life of challenges. In fact, Paul did not like challenges because they were difficult. Who does not like to live comfortably? But comfortable living does not lead to growth. Paul also did not like this thorn and asked the Lord three times to remove it. Each challenge we face now leads to growth in faith and personal growth. We must now rise up, we must constantly expand our boundaries. Our spirit longs for and loves to be more like God, but our flesh longs for comfort. We must constantly progress.

Unbelief is also a challenge, but the end is death. The challenges we face result in the abundance of life, a glorious church, and growth into the fullness of Christ.

This week, I saw many Christian entrepreneurs who are in great need of the church's ministry. Since God has chosen us to minister, we should not decline. In this victorious church, we must prosper, expand our boundaries, and receive constant edification. Initially, we are restricted in the flesh, but in the spirit, we are benefited. Our leaders must constantly improve themselves, not only serving ordinary people but also raising up ministries among engineers, entrepreneurs, and scientists.

in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

In 2 Corinthians 11, it mentions not only Paul's thorn but also the sickness, difficulties, and reproaches he experienced. Many years ago, I prayed to God, I want to be like Paul, but I do not want the sickness, difficulties, and reproaches that God gave him. I thank God that He did not follow my wishes, but according to His will, my faith was elevated.

5. We All Have This Thorn—Challenges

From a young age, I have always been facing challenges, from China to Singapore. The beginning was very difficult, simply terrible. Facing a completely different cultural environment from China, I met God in the church. I found a job as a computer engineer, and it went smoothly. Soon I was promoted. Later, I began to manage a team. Facing a lot of unfamiliar knowledge, I started learning. I was constantly promoted in my position, but then I encountered problems in that position, so I learned how to manage a team and how to handle technical issues. When everything seemed smooth, I started building God's church and serving students. I also encountered many difficulties. As I continued to face those challenges, I slowly had a vision in my heart to build the best church in the world.

These years of challenges have not diminished my faith but have built it up. Faith needs to be exercised. Is it a mule or a horse? Let's take it out for a walk. A truly good horse will not have any problems even after a long journey. Challenges can reveal the truth. So brothers and sisters should also know that in challenges, you can build your faith.

A few days ago, I ministered to a young entrepreneur who was facing losses in his business and difficulties in managing his employees. But I encouraged him to change his perspective. When he turned to God, his situation showed signs of transformation. Today, brothers and sisters, you must know that in challenges, you can meet God. Our own affairs are not important, but rather allowing ourselves to grow is.

6. Challenges Must Break What Is Not Eternal Within Us

Challenges can break what is not in accordance with God's will within us, removing what is not eternal. People always like to follow their own preferences. If God had not challenged me in this way, I would not have come to where I am now, entering into the path of ministry.

From a young age, I have been a very confident person, often relying on myself. God constantly uses challenges to prevent us from relying on ourselves. Salvation is God wanting to restore the glorious image on you. When a person's potential is developed, it is God manifesting glory.

There are many things within us that need to be broken. My mother is very considerate of her own flesh, not only considerate of her own flesh but also very considerate of the flesh of others. These past few months, God has begun to challenge her, to break the value system within her. For a while, she seemed to have dementia. When she regained consciousness, she was very disgusted with herself for being like that. She asked me why, and I said that God was challenging you, breaking what is not in accordance with His will within you. Our neighbors, about the same age as my mother, all walk with canes and often say that they do not want to live anymore and are waiting to die. Although my mother does not like such words, they have the same logical system. Mom asked me why there are such filthy spiritual strongholds like old horses in deep mountains and dung beetles. I think it should be those very filthy logical systems that attract them.

Although my challenges are not comparable to Paul's, I thank God that through challenges, I have come into ministry. According to the preferences of the flesh, we like to live a quiet life and do not like challenges. When we want to rest for a while, God begins to challenge us again. God, I am willing, do not let our will be done, but let God's will be done. God's will is for us to live a glorious life; our will is to live according to the flesh.

7. Challenges Are God's Attribute

What I love to lead most is the Bible study of Genesis; it is great, it talks about the attributes of God. God said to Abraham, Arise, go to the place I am going to send you. Abraham was over seventy years old and had to leave his home country with his family, servants, property, cattle, and sheep to go to the place God wanted him to go. As soon as he went out, his wife was admired by Pharaoh, which was really a challenge. Fortunately, Pharaoh finally returned his wife and gave him cattle, sheep, and a lot of property. When he finally began to settle down for a while and thought that his nephew Lot could help him in his old age, his nephew left him...

Abraham's life was really hard. It turns out that the name of our God's attribute is challenges. He arranges such things for those He delights in. Jacob had to run away from home as soons as he obtained Abraham's blessing. He worked for free for fourteen years at his uncle Laban's house. Just over twenty years later, he returned to his hometown. He raped his daughter and his sons killed all the people in Shechem. His beloved son Joseph was sold, and Egypt was in famine and needed to buy grain...

Jacob was 75 years old and had to leave home with a cane. Jacob's life was also a life of challenges. After working for free for fourteen years at his uncle Laban's house, he began another challenge. Just over twenty years later, he took his family home and just arrived in Canaan when his daughter raped. Then his sons killed the people in that place, and the people around him were going to deal with Jacob. He was forced to flee to Bethel, and his beloved son Joseph was sold to Egypt by his other sons. They lied and said that Joseph was dead. Jacob was extremely sad. However, twenty-two years later, his son Joseph became the prime minister of Egypt. Jacob's family encountered famine and had to go to Egypt to buy food, and only then did he reunite with his beloved son.

The stories in Genesis are stories of transformation. It is because of challenges that there is transformation. Challenges are the image of God. When God wants you to be a blessing to all nations, He wants to grow you through challenges. God has prepared a challenging path for those who love Him. People's lives are full of wonderful stories and stories of transformation. God blesses all nations through the growth of our lives.

8. The Spiritual Principle of Agitation

Brothers and sisters, do not think that a comfortable life is all that good. If God wants you to be a blessing to all nations and peoples on earth, He will bless many people through your growth. How can you bless others if your life does not grow? And the growth of your life depends on agitation.

You can do something, and if you mess it up, you might say, God, why is this happening? That's it, peace is not the key to solving problems. The key to solving problems is the growth of your life.

Agitation is a spiritual principle. What are the characteristics of a spiritual person in our church? Nothing goes smoothly. It's like today's mobile phones. Just got the iPhone 3, and after a while, the iPhone 4 comes out, and then the iPhone 5, iPhone 6, 7, and 8 all come out. Mobile phones are constantly upgrading, companies are constantly being updated, and our church should be constantly updated. Our lives will continue to grow in constant agitation.

Shaking brings agitation. You know the prophet Elijah in the Bible, as long as he doesn't pray, it won't rain in that place. No rain is agitation for King Ahab and the people of Israel, and Elijah himself suffers greatly. This is agitation, this is shaking.

Today, brothers and sisters, do not think that a glorious church is built in stability and peace. A glorious church is built through breakthrough growth, constant conflict, and victory in constant agitation. The leaders of our church have also grown up in constant breakthrough growth, constantly facing challenges, and constantly facing unimaginable difficulties. When you face the situation that Jacob and Joseph faced, then I want to congratulate you, because you are about to grow in the midst of agitation.

In agitation, your flesh will be broken; in agitation, your old wineskin will become a new wineskin. Our God likes new wine in new wineskins, and agitation is a spiritual principle. Agitation can make us see through all things! I will not love this world, I wish I could leave this world tomorrow and be with the Lord. But I will not, I will not choose suicide, but live out the glory of God. But I have no interest in the things of this world, eating, drinking, and having fun. I have only one hobby, which is to work and serve God. I like to do meaningful things and don't like to do meaningless things.

Agitation makes us see through all things! Because spiritual people see through all things. What is a spiritual person? It is after your flesh is broken, you purely see the world with spiritual eyes. Agitation is a spiritual principle. Brothers and sisters, I encourage you, don't think that you don't have that thorn in your body. Each of us has this thorn, and no matter what situation you are in, you need to break your carnal bad habits.

The Holy Spirit wants to work in you. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will make you holy. But what can make you holy? - It depends on agitation. In agitation, you can see through all things, that's amazing! God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and God's ways are higher than our ways. Originally, God's thoughts seem bad to us, but they are indeed good. Because it is in this situation that God makes us grow. Brothers and sisters, start to desire growth. You live when you grow, and you also live when you don't grow. When you desire to grow, your life will really grow, and you will gain the joy of life.

Brothers and sisters, understand that God's will is not to remove these things that make us suffer, but to live out the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the process of agitation. I once gave a sermon, Let the life of Jesus Christ be manifested in us. The life of Jesus Christ is the power of resurrection. Without death, where does resurrection come from? Without the suffering of being crucified, where does the victory over death come from? We must continue to overcome, this is the faith of Jesus Christ. The faith of Jesus Christ is not feeling very peaceful, but often feeling very weak, so that the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection can be manifested in us.

Today, the road we continue to run forward must be a road of agitation. On the road of building a glorious church together, I know that everyone will encounter many difficulties and challenges, and encounter many situations where you don't know how to serve. But it doesn't matter, God is the God who makes us grow. God's intention is for us to grow, for us to live prosperously, for us to live victoriously, for us to live wonderfully, and for us to break all carnal evil deeds. According to our flesh, we like old wine in old wineskins, but God needs us to constantly renew ourselves. This renewal is the attribute of God. Renewal means that the old is broken and the new is built.

9. Hold on to Dreams in Agitation

Among us is a sister whose life has been a real agitation. Once, she worked as a dishwasher in Singapore with very low pay. Her sister brought her to my office. I led her to believe in the Lord. Thank God, God gave her a job in a kindergarten with more than two thousand Singapore dollars. However, when she devoted herself to her work, her job was gone, and she had to return to China and could not stay in Singapore. God did not give up on her. She got a deadly disease and returned to Singapore to see her sister and come to church to pray. A few months later, her illness was miraculously healed. Without this disease, she might have left God forever. Later, she got married, her husband did not believe in the Lord, and she had a child, and she began to put her heart and mind on her child. At this time, her child was often sick, and she began to change her mind. In the past six months, she has been serving God fervently and has experienced many good things from God. God wants to shake everything we can shake.

Many entrepreneurs and real estate developers are also shaken and agitated by the market environment. A real estate developer has become accustomed to constant shaking and agitation. If a person can still hold on to their dreams, especially heavenly dreams, in agitation, they will surely live out the glory of God and live out the wonderfulness of God. I encourage everyone to hold on to our dreams and desire to be a blessing to many people.

I take my brothers and sisters to meet many entrepreneurs. I like to talk about what God has done in me and the stories we have experienced. These stories are very exciting. Some time ago, I went to Dalian. A friend's child was suffering from depression. When he heard the story of my service, he saw hope - there was hope for his child's illness. I desire to be a blessing to many people, and I desire to share with them the stories of transforming people's lives, so that they can desire to experience God's wonderful transformation with me.

If you only desire to eat and drink, that is very low. Start desiring to be a blessing to many people. I know that everyone is facing many difficulties and problems, and you will surely continue to experience God's grace and continue to grow in these agitations.

Brothers and sisters, we not only desire to grow ourselves, but also share this growth and grace, Amen!