Category Archives: Testing and Trials?

The Blessed Gift Of Tears??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #155

16 Thursday Nov 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Tears, Testing and Trials?, They that sow in tears...., Weeping Tears.

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The Blessed Gift Of Tears??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #155

I know this may seem like a strange subject in considering being thankful and grateful to our God, but for many it will hit a note of familiarity, for tears truly are a language that God understands; for HE made us with the ability to cry, and I praise HIM for it.  Yet often we suppress the natural gift of tears, we don’t want to have a ‘blubbery face’ showing in public; we don’t want people to know how we really feel; we don’t want others to know how badly we are hurting; and reasons that we don’t have time to list.  I have long had a problem with ‘tears’ but not in the sense you might think, I didn’t have any grandmothers growing up, for they both died before I was born, and I only had one grandfather still living, but he lived way out in the swamps on a bayou in Louisiana, and we didn’t see him very often for my dad was in the Navy and we moved a lot.  But when I was in about the 4th grade we were living in Mobile, AL (which I still call home) my mother heard that her dad was not well and she made a trip to see him and brought him home with her to live with us—and that was a precious time for we children, as we had never had a grandparent involved in our lives.  He was funny and told us stories, he sassed my mother (which amazed us, for we sure dared not!), and was just a blessing to us.  Well, he died after only a few short months with us, and we traveled back to Louisiana for his funeral and burial in the family cemetery there.

At the funeral, I was stricken with sorrow and started to cry but I had no hankey or tissues and didn’t want to embarrass myself with that ‘blubbery face’, so I learned my first lesson in “stuffing” it; and it’s a lesson that showed back up throughout my life.  But we must understand that God gave us tears as an outlet, a cleanser for the soul, if you would; a mechanism to relieve our grief, fear, sorrow, anger, joy, and frustration—an ‘all-in-one’ safety trigger.  But of course we intelligent humans do our best to short-circuit God’s goodness, and this is just another one of those foolish attempts to be “smarter than The Creator”! God gave us tears to bless us, to relieve some of our suffering and the results of being ‘fallen man’!  Let’s consider some things that scripture reveals about tears, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll learn to appreciate them more, and use them wisely!

“Thou tellest my wanderings:

put thou my tears into thy bottle:

are they not in thy book?

9 When I cry unto thee,

then shall mine enemies turn back:

this I know;

for God is for me.

10 In God

will I praise his word:

in the LORD

will I praise his word.

11 In God

have I put my trust:

I will not be afraid

what man can do unto me.”  Psalm 56:8-11

Oh, to remember the goodness and faithfulness of our God.  Job in the midst of some of the greatest trials ever, kept declaring his faith in God—despite the questionable help of his “friends”!

“Also now, behold,

my witness is in heaven,

and my record is on high.

20 My friends scorn me:

but mine eye poureth out tears

unto God.”  Job 16:19-20

Sometimes our tears come on the behalf of others—those who are in trouble, in deep need of God’s help—when we can do little else but pray and weep!  God hears, sees, and knows!

“They that sow in tears

shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth,

bearing precious seed,

shall doubtless come again

with rejoicing,

bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6                   (Sheaves being the harvest of the labor of tears!)

One of my favorite books of The Bible is the book of Jeremiah—the ‘weeping prophet’!  Why the weeping prophet?  For a lot of reasons, but mainly because he loved his people, and while he faithfully proclaimed God’s warning of coming judgment if they would not repent (much like where we are today, perhaps?) and the response was at the most, negligible, and came with ridicule, torture, pain, and a grief that we can barely understand.  Yet, God promised Jeremiah that there would be relief—a relief that he wouldn’t live to see, but a relief and restoration of Israel that would come.  May we be found as willing and faithful as Jeremiah to proclaim truth even when it brings tears, grief, heartache, or ridicule!  God IS faithful and HE knows your pain, your heartache, your sorrow for the sin of our nation, the tears that we shed in prayer for HIS provision, and revival!  So, my friends “weary not in well doing”, but press on faithfully and let those tears flow when they need to—don’t suppress the feelings that God has given you!  HE IS coming to redeem HIS own, and HE will wipe away the tears that we shed before HIM!

“Thus saith the LORD;

Refrain thy voice from weeping,

and thine eyes from tears:

for thy work shall be rewarded,

saith the LORD;

and they shall come again

from the land of the enemy.

17 And there is hope in thine end,

saith the LORD,

that thy children shall come again

to their own border.”  Jeremiah 31:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!

 

If God Were Watching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #123

18 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Cross, Crucified With Christ, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, God's love, God's measure isn't ours, God's Presence Not Presents, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Holey, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living in Christ, Living In My Season, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Take Up YOUR Cross, Teach The Children, Testing and Trials?

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If God Were Watching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #123

OH! Wait! HE is!  How easy it is to forget that our amazing Lord and King is watching this world as it spins on the axis that HE set in place.  Jesus, The Son of God, Father God Almighty, and the precious Holy Spirit that has been given to those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for MY sin and YOURS!  Yet, even when we come to Jesus for salvation, forgiveness, and the new birth (yes, being born again by the blood of The Lamb who “taketh away the sin of the world” See John 1:29), we still have to walk around in this body of flesh, and it doesn’t usually want to cooperate!!

So, what are we doing with, in and for not only “this” body that God has given us, but the entire body of Christ–the church?  The church was established by Jesus, and we are called to join together with other believers of like faith and practice to spread the Gospel and The Kingdom of God–even when it’s difficult! And it is often difficult and trying for those who are committed to seeing God’s will accomplished, for there is a price to pay!

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

Are we living up to the call of Jesus upon our life as HIS sheep; or have we yielded to the compromise of the world’s cry that we must appeal to the ‘entertainment need’ of the lost?  I’d simply like to share a few scriptures to encourage us to press on in truth and godliness.  You choose what/whom you will listen to and serve?

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Paul made his declaration as clear as Joshua’s!  Are you ashamed to live for Jesus?  You know–and God does too, no matter what others think they see!  Let’s truly pursue Jesus and HIS way!

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

 to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed

from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”                 Romans 1:15-18

And I stand with Paul in his declaration that the Gospel of JESUS is our call, not making it an ‘easy-believism’ that deceives people and gives them a false sense of security.  Again, God is watching!

“For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:2

I pray that we will see that Jesus’ call upon the lives of HIS own is real and we must take heed to it if we want to make a difference in the lives of people who are watching our lives–not just what we say, or where we go to church (if and when we go), they are watching our lives–in the good times, and especially in the bad/hard times!  If Jesus isn’t real every day–then HE’s not real at all.  We are called to reflect God’s character in new-birth, regenerated lives that shine the holiness of Jesus to a world lost and dying in the dark right now.

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy; for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:14-19

While this is a lengthy passage, I encourage you to read the entire chapter–in fact–the entire book would be a great investment of your time.  And in closing the words of Jesus which describe a different picture than many preach today of just say a prayer, join a church, use Jesus’ name as a magic talisman to get your way!  Jesus paints a different way!  Have you been to the cross?  The cross is an instrument of death–death to self, and alive IN JESUS!! If you have, are you taking up “your cross” and walking with Jesus every step of the way?  May it ever be so for each of us–it ain’t easy–but by HIS grace, power, love and being “strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might” …we can “do all things through Christ who strengthens me”!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

 or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

May we ever bear the cross with gratitude and devotion, following our King where ever HE may lead and direct our steps.  Blessings on you and yours.  Our soon coming King DOES see me/you today!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Willing To Wait & Trust??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 17

17 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's provision, Holy Living, Polluted by the world?, Pursuing Excellence?, Servanthood, Testing and Trials?, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 17 Willing To Wait & Trust???

 

As we continue in our study of Daniel’s character and that of his three close friends, today we will consider their trust in their God in the midst of a crises of faith and obedience.  Their personal faith and integrity are put to the test in the midst of their Babylonian captivity and service to King Nebuchadnezzar.  But let’s rehearse Daniel’s mindset in the midst of his circumstances.

“But Daniel purposed

in his heart

that he would not defile

himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:….”    Daniel 1:8a

This young man (and his 3 friends) had made up his mind and set his heart on God and his faith in Him, with a determination to be faithful to the law of his God, regardless of the circumstances or the consequences.  But the thing I want us to focus on is the rest of verse 8 which shows us Daniel’s behavior with decorum!  What about us—you and me?  What does our behavior reveal?  Sometimes mine just plain slips off the page; how about you?  I need this lesson whether you do or not!  I want to be found faithfully waiting on my Lord with decorum—not the flesh!!!

“…therefore

he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile

himself.”  Daniel 1:8b

Here we find Daniel behaving with that “decorum” that we spoke about last week; behavior that was a reflection of the glory of his God.  Which, in the later years of his life, even his enemies had to admit was the lodestar of his life and behavior.  Note, this passage took place close to 70 years later (a man of some 80-90 years old, and he was still a man of honor, integrity and faithfulness to his God) than the events of chapter 1.

“Then the presidents and princes

sought to find occasion against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error or fault

 found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion

against this Daniel,

except we find it

against him

concerning the law

of his God.”   Daniel 6:4-5

Not only did his enemies recognize his integrity (even though they used it against him, God had other plans!) but King Darius recognized in Daniel a heart, mind and life that was different—and it was all due to his service to his GOD! What about you and me?  What would our enemies say about us?

“Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee…

…Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste

unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake

and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee,

O king,

have I done no hurt.”  Portions of Daniel 6:16-22

The Apostle Peter had a similar thing to say to believers in times of trials, suffering and persecution.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted

for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who,

when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:”   1 Peter 2:19-23

We see this same kind of commitment in the young man Daniel; he who also “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”!  How about you and me?  Are we trusting to God to take care of us when we suffer unjustly or are you like me; getting out your pencil and paper and figuring out what “we” need to do.  I think we can learn a lot from Daniel and his friends about trusting, waiting and allowing God to provide in His way, in His time and for His purposes.  And what we’re going to see in the next few weeks as we peruse Daniel’s story, is how God will show Himself faithful time and time again, when we will but love HIM, obey HIM and then just “let God BE God”!

In verse 8 we saw Daniel asking “permission”—well, pardon me, “I” am “entitled”!!!  NOT necessarily, let’s see what Daniel’s experience was; and WHO was really in charge!

“Now God

had brought Daniel into

favour

and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.

10 And the prince of the eunuchs

said unto Daniel,

I fear my lord the king,

who hath appointed your meat

and your drink:

for why should he see

your faces worse liking

than the children which

are of your sort?

then shall ye make me endanger

my head to the king.

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar,

whom the prince of the eunuchs

had set over

Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants,

I beseech thee,

ten days;

and let them give us pulse to eat,

and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances

be looked upon before thee,

and the countenance

of the children that eat

of the portion of the king’s meat:

and as thou seest,

deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them

in this matter,

and proved them

ten days.”   Daniel 1:9-14

Daniel went, if you would, through ‘channels’ and asked the first level for permission; but when this guy thought about it, he said he was fearful of his “head” if he disobeyed the King’s edict.  Then Daniel went to the next in line and offered a solution to the danger in giving them this leeway of their food and drink.  He asked the official to simply test them for 10 days and then he could decide how they appeared, and Daniel said they would abide by his decision.  No ‘doubting, pouting, and dropping outing’ but a willingness to pursue obedience and trust God for the outcome!  We must abandon our “western” mindset of demanding our way—or no way.  Or if you would, “it’s my way or the highway”!  I don’t know about you, but I wrestle with letting go of “my way” and pursuing and trusting to God’s plan without reservation……as Peter said, we ought to be committing ourselves “to him that judgeth righteously”!!  God is absolutely trustworthy!

The results are amazing when we let “God be God”, and simply do what God asks us to do, and be what HE has transformed us to be!

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

And back to Daniel 1:

“And at the end of ten days

their countenances appeared

fairer

 and fatter in flesh

than all the children

which did eat the portion

of the king’s meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away

the portion of their meat,

and the wine that they should drink;

and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children,

God gave them knowledge

and skill

in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel

had understanding

in all visions

and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days that the king

had said he should bring them in,

then the prince of the eunuchs

brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none

like Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters

of wisdom

and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians and astrologers

that were in all his realm.”    Daniel 1:15-20

So, what do we conclude?  You can make your own conclusions, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”, trusting to His love, care and provision in every matter; and pursue His ways and not my/our own!   Are you ready and willing to trust and wait on God?  I think we better learn, and learn quickly!

Jesus puts it pretty concisely:

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide

in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5

Amen and Amen!!!

You Don’t Always Know??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #689

04 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Are You Ready, Testing and Trials?, That They May Know, Trials, Troubles

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #689  You Don’t Always Know???

 

Those of you who follow my blog know that I often close with a couple of phrases, “It’s your choice!  Choose wisely, there is a test!” (I borrowed this from a Pastor Friend, Bro. Scott Wright).  I often use this in regard to the final test at Christ’s coming, or our facing HIM at our death, but there are other tests.  I’d like to talk about them.

We don’t always know when the tests may come, but we can know how to handle them!  We handle our trials and tests by keeping our eyes on Jesus not the world.  Much like Daniel.

“Then these men assembled unto the king,

 and said unto the king,

Know, O king,

that the law of the Medes and Persians is,

That no decree nor statute

which the king establisheth

may be changed.

16 Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought,

and laid upon the mouth of the den;

and the king sealed it

with his own signet,

and with the signet of his lords;

that the purpose might not be changed

concerning Daniel.”  Daniel 6:15-16

I love Daniel and he stands in such contrast to our day’s politics, for Daniel was a godly man serving in an ungodly society—but his integrity was undeniable, even by his enemies who had to seek alternate ideas to discredit him.  Yet even when Daniel was set up, caught and accused of “civil disobedience” because of his faithful service to his God, his enemies were seen for what they were.  But, Daniel still wound up in the “den of lions”, yet even the king knew that Daniel’s God would take care of him.  What would God think of us—you and me—as we face opposition, false accusation, or just plain hate that is so rampant in our culture today.  You and I don’t always know when or where the test may come, but we can always be assured that, like Daniel, we can trust to our Lord God and King—Jesus!  And because of Daniel’s faith (not his doubting, pouting or dropping outing—also borrowed my former pastor Brad McCoy!—just giving some credit where credit is due!), accompanied by a life of faithful, continual service to God and others, he was openly acknowledged by his God.  My question of us is, “Do others see Jesus IN us?  IN our actions?  IN our speech?  IN our attitudes?  IN our work?  Has your test come and you failed it?  Today is a new day!  Let’s pursue the excellence that Daniel did—consider the results!

“Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him,

and commanded that they should take Daniel

up out of the den.

So Daniel was taken up out of the den,

and no manner of hurt was found upon him,

because he believed in his God.”  Daniel 6:19-23

God showed up for HIS glory, Daniel’s good and the increase of The Kingdom—God’s Kingdom, that is!  And if you want to see what happened to his enemies you can read the rest of the chapter!  Just remember that real faith/belief is always exhibited through obedience!

So, my encouragement for us today is a challenge for each of us to walk in faithful integrity before our God and others.  God is ready to be real in your life if you’ll but trust Him and be willing and diligent to live a life (like Daniel) of faithfulness to God, to His Word and to His ways!  It’s then that the tests won’t cause you to stumble or try to “fix it yourself”!  Daniel relied upon HIS God to take care of his enemies—it isn’t easy, but with God’s help it’s doable!

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

That’s all folks!  Blessings on you and yours!

Amen and Amen!!!