TESTING
TESTING, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 11/18/19, (Across my desk this morning.)
| Today’s Scripture |
| “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13 |
| Don’t Be Surprised |
|
If you know you are going into a challenging season, you can get prepared for it. You can make sure you are mentally ready. But what about the difficulties that we don’t see coming? The unexpected crisis that catches you off guard? Sometimes it can seem so overwhelming and devastating when your life is suddenly turned upside down. The Scripture says that we shouldn’t be surprised by fiery trials. That’s because the forces of darkness would not be fighting against you if they didn’t know that God has something amazing in your future! Sometimes those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. It’s always darkest just before the dawn appears. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. The key is to stay the course and keep fighting the good fight of faith. In the difficult times, keep your joy and keep declaring God’s Word over your future. God has promised that you will overcome every obstacle. You will defeat every enemy, and you will embrace the blessing and victory He has in store for you! |
| A Prayer for Today |
| “Father, thank You for walking with me in every season of life. Today, I cast all of my cares on You. I cast all of my difficulties, all of my questions, and all of my concerns. Thank You for working all things out for my good in Jesus’ name. Amen.” |
My Thoughts:
This bit of truth brought to mind that when back in the early 70’s it was about a 1/2 hour drive to the Pilgrim’s Inn on Saturday evenings where we held our hippie gatherings. The hippies would start coming in about 4 in the afternoon and some would not leave till about 3 AM. The Power of the Holy Spirit was so abundant in those days inspite of our need for wisdom and guidance. But about the time I would leave home my wife Ann would get upset about something and turn the air blue all the way to the meeting. But I knew by experience that the minute I stepped through the door that the air would become clean and fresh and full of the Holy Spirit. After a while we would catch ourselves and realize what was happening and begin to laugh out loud about it. If there is one thing that the enemy can not handle at all, it is to be laughed at. Take a step of faith and try it sometime. Just become aware that you are under an outside attack, laugh at it and rebuke it in Jesus Name and it goes away, and very quickly. There are 3 levels of attack, outside, head and heart. Outside, Kenneth Hagen called oppression, head he called obsession and heart he called possession. This understanding has worked out for me very well over the years in helping folks.
The Bible concept of planet earth is that it is a temporary gymnasium of testing and spiritual growth that either make you stronger in the LORD or kills you. Remember how Eve was tested, failed and died. Remember how Jesus was tested, submitted and had victory. Hebrews 11 is a great chapter on those who have been tested and enjoyed victory. In Romans 8 Paul teaches the same thing about our Heavenly Father providing everything we need for victory, if we keep the FAITH. That FAITH is the victory. That it is through the great and precious promises (believed in faith) that changes us to have the divine nature of our Creator. Peter writes about it: so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet.1:7. Jesus has John tell us this: Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. Rev. 2:10 The Old Testament teaches us that our testing is like the refining of silver. Zech.13:9 “And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will listen and answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Silver is purified by heating and skimming many times until the exact reflection of the creator is seen in the surface of the silver.
Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org
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