The Challenge before the Change: A Practical Approach to Overcoming the Hard Places in Life

By Frampton Paul

In this book, Frampton Paul takes the reader on an exploration of the famous story of Zacchaeus, the Jewish tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree in the midst of a busy crowd to get a better view of Jesus Christ, who was visiting Jericho during His years of ministry.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: May 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781486617005

Book preview

THE CHALLENGE BEFORE THE CHANGE

Copyright © 2018 by Frampton Paul

All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, which is in the public domain. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

EPUB Version: 978-1-4866-1700-5

Word Alive Press

119 De Baets Street, Winnipeg, MB R2J 3R9

www.wordalivepress.ca

Cataloguing in Publication may be obtained through Library and Archives Canada

Dedication

This book is for everyone who is challenged in some way, shape, or form, and on their way to being changed. My earnest wish is that you will receive an edge you never had before, or be refreshed by timely lessons you’ve learned before but forgotten over time. May you gain momentum and sustained perspective as you run forward—and change!

Acknowledgements

I’ve been privileged to have a group of wonderful people around me who make me who I am. Attempting to mention each by name would quickly, without question, become a book unto itself. However, my sincere thanks to all who’ve shared and assisted in the birthing phase of this project. You know who you are.

To my mentors, administrative team, leaders, and partners, thank you for believing in the person I’ve been blessed to be and serve.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

1. The Exhortation

2. Challenges Demand that We Make Great Sacrifices

3. Every Challenge Is Unique to You

4. Your Challenge Is Shaping You for the Better

5. Challenges Allow You See Life from a Different Vantage Point

6. Challenges Often Birth New Covenant Connections

7. There’s a Way Out of Every Challenge

8. Challenges Will Cause You to Ascend

9. Challenges Create Experiences You’ve Never Had Before

10. Change Comes When the Challenge Is Conquered

Conclusion

Foreword

It would take more than a minute to reminisce about the span of events that has limned your life, wouldn’t it? In the single moment it took you to read that opening line, did an emotion grip you? Did you feel grateful, happy, sad, frustrated, angry, confused, or possibly challenged by the blurred events of your life?

We live and we learn; we learn and we live. It’s the learning curve that challenges us most. In fact, when learning curves turn to challenging moments, we fret. And when change seems a long way off, we question: why is this happening to me?

Author Polly B. Berends has said, Everything that happens to you is your teacher. The secret is to learn to sit at the feet of your own life and be taught by it.¹