Trials and Tests

Another thought from Charles R. Swindoll gleaned from the Living Insights Study Bible.

"Generally speaking there are two kinds of tests in life: adversity and prosperity. Of the two, the latter is the more difficult.

When adversity strikes, things get simple; survival is the goal. It is a test on maintaining the basics of food, clothing and shelter.

But when prosperity comes, watch out! Things get complicated. All kinds of subtle temptations arrive, pleading for satisfaction. It is then that one's integrity is put to the test."

Charles R. Swindall

The Gift of Prophesy

Many godly Biblical scholars will tell you that the gift of prophesy in our present times, with the completion of the N.T. Scriptures, is the "forth-telling" of the Word of God, rather than "fortelling future events". Good men have made predictions about the future only to have to wipe the egg off of their faces and adjust their calculations when things didn't turn out the way they had "prophesied".

In 1 Corinthians 14 we read of the New Testament gift of prophesy. We are told to "pursue love, yet desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of prophesy". (vs.1)

"-One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation." vs. 3. A gifted person will have an unusual ability to make God's word clear and applicable to everyday life and to special circumstances so that the hearers are built up in their faith (edified), encouraged to press on (exhortation), and comforted (consolation) in the difficult times which all who live godly in Christ Jesus must endure.

There is another element in vss. 24,25. "--the secrets of his heart are revealed." I have heard many times of people who visit a church, listen to the preacher, and become angry because they are absolutely certain that someone has been talking to the preacher about them. Somehow, the sermon, which may have been prepared days or weeks before its delivery, contained elements, given by God, that were meant for one particular person in the audience.

Then there are the insights God gives a "prophetic" person into the lives and thinking of people around him (or her). An uncanny ability to see behind the smoke and mirrors into what is really going on. Some of this is, I am sure, a natural ability gained through years of interaction with people on various levels. But at times, I believe, it is something God reveals in order to bring conviction, edification, exhortation and consolation.

The Gift of Prophesy. Use it carefully and use it wisely, but use it, it is a gift from God, and a gift to be desired.

Take up the Challenge

I am reading a devotional by Charles R. Swindoll (one of my favorite author/preacher) "Come Before Winter and Share My Hope". At the end of a chapter entitled Letters of Reference he makes a challenge to study closely the New Testament book of III John to see what criteria the Apostle John used to evaluate the character of three men; Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius.

I have read III John countless times but never with this thought in mind. It was very revealing and touched my heart as I know it will your's if you TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE.

Selective Indignation

I knew a man who became very indignant about the infanticide commonly practiced against female babies in a certain Asian country. But he seldom said a word about the abortion of millions in his own nation.

A business man expresses deep indignation toward lying politicians in general and lying liberal politicians in particular, but routinely swindles his customers by not delivering the "goods" he has promised.

A lady became highly indignant when someone spoke negatively about her best friend but she remained strangly quiet as the conversation shifted focus and someone with whom she had only a casual acquaintance was sliced, diced and hung out to dry.

Indignant, highly indignant.
Silent, strangly quiet.

Next time you feel "indignation" rising, pause, take a deep breath, count silently to 10 then ask yourself, "Is my indignation selective or am I consistently reacting to the violation of a principle."

GO FOR THE SWEET SPOT

Upmmh -- Whack! You can hear the ball meeting the "sweet spot".   Nothing quite like that sound!  It rises off the bat like an arrow in flight arching high - up, up over the field, over the stands - it's out of the park.  The fans rise from their seats, victory shouts fill the air and the batter, poised for a sprint to first, loosens up and settles into a comfortable lope around the bases into the arms of his teammates.  What a way to make it home! 

Upmmmh, spreechkk!  A fast grounder into right field. Come on! come on! faster, faster,  whap  AHhh, safe at first.  Steals second - another grounder and he's on third.  A line drive along the right field foul line - run, run, the ball is at first and streaks toward home.  He's sliding in at full speed hands outstreched toward home base.  The umpire yells and waves his arms - he made it.  SAFE  but almost out.

Next batter up - same scenario- but the umpire yells- waves his arms. OUT  but almost in.

Reminds me of a couple of verses in God's Word, the Bible.  
In Acts 26:28 we read that King Agrippa, after listening to the gospel preached by the Apostle Paul, replied, "ALMOST thou persuadest me to be a Christian." 
ALMOST in but OUT!   ALMOST saved but lost!  Almost, almost.  Close but not close enough.

The next verses have to do with the believer who barely makes it in.  At the Judgement Seat of Christ his life gets reviewed by the all knowing God.  All is laid bare, even the hidden motives of the heart.  He wasted his life and the record of all he did was destroyed.  A child of God, yes, but little to show for it.

In 1 Cor. 3:15 we read, "If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

And in Hebrews 6:8, "but if it (the field) yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and CLOSE to being cursed, and it ends up being burned (off)."

ALMOST SAVED IS COMPLETELY CURSED
ALMOST CURSED IS COMPLETELY SAVED

How much better to go for the "sweet spot".  Receive Jesus as Saviour and Serve Him as Lord.

The Decrees That Give Life

In my Bible reading today I read where God refers to His law as "my life-giving laws". Ezk. 33:15  Other translations read, "the statutes which insure life" (NASB), "the decrees that give life" (NIV) and "the statutes of life" (KJV).  Now, so as not to be misunderstood, I am aware that spiritual life does not come as a result of keeping "the law" but through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me." 

With that out of the way, consider why the Ten Commandments were called, "the decrees that give life."

1.   Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
2    Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image...
3.   Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4.   Remember the sabboth day, to keep it holy.
5.   Honor thy father and thy mother.
6.   Thou shalt not kill.
7.   Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8.   Thou shalt not steal.
9.   Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10. Thou shat not covet ....anything that is thy neighbor's.

Jesus added some depth to these commands in Matthew's gospel, Chapter 5.  It might be good to take a little peek at what He said.  And while we are at it, consider for a moment James 2:10 which reads, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."

God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  There is a "life-giving" element in His eternal Law for those who keep them and for those who are kept from the transgressors.

The first 3 Commandment have to do with God Himself.  The last 6 deal with man's relationship with his fellow man.  Consider how a breach of those last six takes away "life" from another and how obedience preserves, enhances, protects, and "gives" life - hence, "The Decrees That Give Life".  

What in the world am I doing?

Only one life, will soon be past,
only what's done for Christ will last.

Take a couple of minutes to visit
www.buntain.org/about.html

Then ask yourself, "What in the world am I doing?"