Passing The Test!

"My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2-3

Testing is done to find out how well something works. It tells what level of knowledge or skill has been acquired. We are tested as well as Believers. Our faith goes through a test on occasion to see what we have learned…and to push us yet further in our faith. Faith must work, it must produce, it must be visible. Verbal faith isn't enough…mental faith is insufficient. Faith must inspire action…it must endure trials, produce action, and be tested. Oswald Chambers said; "Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict." I like that! Your faith has to be tested to become personal! What are you facing today? How are you being tested? How well is your faith working? The test you are taking today with either prove that your faith is right or it will try and take you down. The test that you take today will either reveal your trust in God as your guide or it will reveal your disbelief and end in destruction. Anytime we enter a trial to test our faith and refine us as Believers the enemy is right there with his arsenal of lies. Don't believe them…rather let them encourage you that you are making progress in the Kingdom of God, and that's why the enemy is in relentless pursuit after you. The Lord wants to develop our faith, therefore it must be tested. Just as with any test we take in school or on the job is used to see how well we know our material, subject or trade…the Lord too will test our faith to see how well we are progressing…and what is needed to push us further along in our faith. Is it a trial that will do it? Is it a loss, financial hardship, marital troubles, a wayward child. The Lord will use anything to increase our faith, refine it and allow it to come out looking more like Him. Be encouraged today that He has begun a good work in you and will see it to its completion. Remember that the Lord is for you. He is your teacher and just like a teacher has to test the students knowledge…Jesus has to test ours to see what we've really learned. May the Lord strengthen us today to endure the testings knowing that they produce patience and perseverance and character and hope! Hope is the expectation of coming good. May we make it to the end of the test and have hope today! Lord, I pray for all who read this that You would touch them today with Your hand of hope…give them a glimmer into your plan and purpose. Encourage their hearts today in Jesus name, Amen!

STOP The Building!

"Then Zerubbabel and Jeshua arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them." Ezra 5:1

It's just like the enemy to try to stop the good work of the Lord in our lives. Once we've begun to go forward in our walk and really commit to serve the Lord the enemy is right there with his sneaky tactics to try and rob, steal and destroy us.  His ways are not new...he has been using the same tactics from the beginning of time. We see in Ezra that the temple was being rebuild after it's destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. The people and priests and prophets all came together to work...the Lord even moved on the hearts of 3 kings to begin the work and pay for the bill. But, the enemy took notice and tried to stop the work on the temple by creating lies, exaggerations and false accusations against the workers, saying; "Who gave you a decree to build this house and finish this structure?...and "What are your names?" Ezra 5:3-4

The enemy has been using fear, lies and exaggeration since the beginning of time...these tactics are not new. We know that there is no fear in Christ Jesus...because "perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18  As Believers, we have nothing to fear...God promises never to leave us, and that if He is for us who can be against us! But...the enemy, the devil is out to get us. He is the one that brings the lies...saying WHO do you think you are...and WHAT is your name?

When he comes in breathing these threats...you answer him back.." I am a child of the Living GOD and my name is CHOSEN! You are a CHILD and you are CHOSEN by God and don't ever let anybody ever tell you differently.  Don't believe the lies...the exaggerations...the threats...trust God... He has a good plan for your life...and He desires to see it to it's completed construction. Don't stop short because of fear, rather press forward in faith!

Freedom!

"And you shall know the truth, and the  truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Freedom is defined as "the condition of being free from restraints. The liberty of a person from slavery, detention, or oppression, and political independence. Today, we celebrate the fourth of July. The day that America was set free from the restraints of England, the day that she became independent, the day that the political hand of oppression was lifted and she began her new life of freedom from restraints.

 Last night, while I was putting our daughter to bed, she asked me; "Mom, what's the 4th of July?" So I got out my phone and googled it that I may be able to tell her correct dates and times..."On July 4th of 1776, America became a country, in which they were free from the British and able to write our own rules and laws called the Declaration of Independence....It's America's birthday!" My answer seemed to appease her. But, as I thought more about this day and what it really stands for I couldn't help but think of my own life as a Believer. As I look at the definition of freedom...I see myself. My old life caught in sin and bound with chains and my new life of freedom from slavery and oppression. For Believers, it's all about knowing the truth and being set free. The Bible is our Declaration of Independence. It sets us free as we read of the truth found in the Word of God. We read of the price that Jesus paid for our lives that we may live a life of freedom from sin, freedom from guilt and freedom from eternal separation from God. If Jesus never came...America would never be... because America was founded upon the Word of God and upon Biblical principals.

 Recently, while in New York City John and I stumbled upon the Declaration of Independence at the New York City Library. The thing that was so unique about this particular copy is that it was one of only six copies ever handwritten by Thomas Jefferson himself and only one of two that remain in tact to this day. It's considered one of the rarest and most important documents in American history. On June 28, 1776, the finished draft of the Declaration of Independence was submitted to the Continental Congress. Before it was ratified on July 4, a number of changes were made, including the exclusion of Thomas Jeffersons lengthy condemnation of the slave trade. Because this troubled Jefferson so much, he hand wrote six copies of the Declaration of Independence underlining that which had been taken out to appease delegates from Georgia and South Carolina. The document that we saw with Thomas Jeffersons signature was one of those original documents! This was an amazing find for us to happen upon...but what we saw next was even more amazing! Walking around this beautiful, ornate building we walked right by a glass case off to the corner of the library. John stopped as he recognized a painting of Moses with the 10 commandments, and there to our great surprise was the Gutenberg Bible.  This is believed to be the second printed version of the Bible, written in Latin by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz Germany in the 1450's. Only 48 copies have survived and are considered to be among the most valuable books in the world. As we stood and starred at the large Bible my wise husband said "Which do you think is more important ...the Declaration of Independence or the Bible?" I said;" the Bible." John respond; "That's right! for without the Bible there would be no Declaration of Independence! 

Let's remember that today as we celebrate our freedom! While you are picnicking, beaching or barbecuing think of where you would be without the instruction in the Bible, without the godly men that fought for our freedom and dared to make it happen...and think of the greatest sacrifice of all time..the only sacrifice that really matters...Jesus's death for you and for me on the cross of Calvary! Celebrate your freedom today! "For whom the Son sets free is free indeed."John 8:36

Running For the CROWN!

" Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that we are to run this race that is set before us to win not just to finish. Those who win will receive a price...a reward...a crown!  I don’t know about you but I want a crown…not an earthly perishable crown but an imperishable one that I can cast down at the feet of my Jesus in worship and adoration. To obtain this imperishable crown there are certain requirements that Paul lists for us. We are instructed to first be "temperate" or self-controlled in not just some things...but Paul says "in all things" All means all! All areas of our life are to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we are to not be SELF-CONTROLLED, but GOD-CONTROLLED. God wants to be in control of our lives, our will and our bodies. This takes constant surrender of our will for His…our ways for His…our desires for His desires.

 Which leads us to the next key to the crown, Certainty. In verse 26…Paul says; “ Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty thus I fight; not as one who beats the air…” To be certain…one needs to be focused and sure of what their goal is and willing to fight for it! To run with certainty we cannot be distracted therefore we must remember 3 specific instructions that all runners must heed...

1. don’t look back,

2. stay in your lane 
3. don’t drop the baton or you will be disqualified.

 As Christians we are not to look back lest we get tripped up by the world  because looking back always slows you down….remember Lots wife…she looked back at the world with longing and it not only slowed her down…but she was turned into a pillar of salt. When we get saved, we come out of the world…we are loosed from its hold on us and we are to go forward and not look back.The bible says we are to put to death the old man…or old women in our case…we are not to bring her along in our journey with Jesus. It’s also very important as we run our race that we stay in our lane. Don’t look around you…lest you lose your focus. Jesus has called you and me to our individual, unique callings in life and we are to do those to the best of our ability for Him. Often times when we start looking at others and comparing ourselves we get tripped up, and slowed down…and we may even occasionally stumble and fall.

As you run with purpose, temperance and certainty, remaining focused you then will hit the final requirement to the crown...DISCIPLINE! Paul says in verse 27; “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

 “Discipline… says Elizabeth Elliot, …is the believer’s answer to God’s call.” It's the recognition of God’s master plan in our lives we can take it or leave it…its up to us. As Believers we are constantly trying to be more disciplined in our quiet time, in prayer, in eating, exercise, or whatever it is to you…you fill in the blank. At times, it seems we are going around in circles with discipline…sometimes we have it and other times we don’t. We live in a day of continual distraction with Iphones, and social media…it’s hard to be focused unless we’re disciplined to put everything down to follow hard after Jesus! The disciplined life is a life committed to Christ by learning His word…living His Word…and loving his Word! The disciplined life is a life of death…a life of picking up the cross and following Jesus. I think sometimes we forget the cross...the instrument that we so easily identify with is an instrument of death. The problem when identifying with the cross is that things often get hard the closer we walk with Jesus…that’s when we give up! Instead of pressing in...we give in... to trials and temptations. Instead of receiving the power to overcome we are overcome. The key is found in a disciplined life. A life that is focused on Jesus and determined to receive the prize. If we are to win...we must no compromise lest we get disqualified! Kay Smith said; "Set your standards high...and raise them higher!" If you want the crown you must rise to the occasion...stay focused, be temperate in all things, certain of what you are running for...not looking back, stepping out of your lane, or dropping the baton. And finally, you must be willing to bring your body, your life and your spirit into complete subjection to Jesus...recognizing that He has a great plan in mind for you if you will but run with purpose, passion and preparation. 

First Time Obedience

In Joshua 6 we read of the great faith of Joshua as he listened to and obeyed God for GREAT things. Joshua was slowly being prepared for the BIG day...the day that the Children of Israel would take Jericho. He took the people over the Jordan on dry ground by faith, set up stones and cut away the flesh of the people in obedience.  Joshua was learning that faith and obedience go hand and hand.

All of this was preparing Joshua for the next BIG test of his faith...Jericho. Would Joshua obey God..would he trust God...would He believe that God would do what He said?

As Joshua was instructed by God, he so instructed the people. They were to walk around the city one time for six days and on the seventh day they were to walk around seven times with seven priests blowing seven trumpets. When the trumpets blew the people were to yell as loud as they could and the walls of the great city would fall. They were then instructed to burn the city and not take any of the spoil. Everything went according to plan except for one small thing...someone disobeyed and took of the spoil. 

We tend to say what's the big deal, right? Wrong! Obedience is a BIG deal to God...in fact it's what makes or breaks us as believers. It's been said that partial obedience is disobedience and even delayed obedience is disobedience. But  God says "Obedience is better than sacrifice"  (1 Samuel 15:22) It's more pleasing to the Lord that we heed His instructions and listen to His still small voice then anything we could offer as a sacrifice to Him. 


We can flourish in our walk with the Lord or we can struggle through it....the key is first time obedience. We often find it easy to obey in the BIG things (fellowship, prayer, daily devotions, serving  at church, tithing...)  but very difficult in the smaller things (gossip, exaggeration, over sharing, complaining, procrastination, hypocrisy,  patience, loving the unlovely, forgiving...) We somehow think that these "little" sins won't effect us or others and it's not a big deal.  But, in reality it's the small areas of obedience that the Lord often puts His finger on in our lives. He wants all areas of our lives in submission to Him.

Joshua knew that something was wrong when they went to go take the small city of Ai and ended up losing the battle. It was then, that God told Joshua that there was sin in the camp. One by one Joshua went through the tribes, then the families, and finally the men, to see who it was that took of the spoil. When Achen's sin was revealed and he was removed from the people Joshua then went back a second time and took the city of Ai. 

It was all a matter of of complete obedience. Partial obedience is disobedience. God wants our complete obedience in all areas of our lives, big and small.  Oswald Chambers said; " The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect, but obedience." 

Sin hinders us from hearing from God, being used by God and understanding God's Word. "No man ruleth safely but that he is willingly ruled." said  Thomas a Kempis, are you willing to be ruled by God completely...for that is where your safety lies, in complete obedience. Lord help us to obey all things...small and great and to do so quickly!