Friday, June 24, 2016

Testing in Progress...

Greetings Friends!  Welcome back to my blog... This is my second post this week.  I told you that Part two was coming behind Class is in Session.  If you read that blog, you've read some tools of how to survive life class.  

Not only does God teach us throughout life, but, He also tests us on what we have learned.  Quiz.  Pop Quiz.  Unit Exam.  Final Test.... Do those words sound appealing to you?  Maybe.  Maybe NOT!!!  Tests aren't the most fun things, but they're always purposeful.  No matter what season of life you're in, no matter what test you may be facing, keep a few things in mind before you get discouraged:

1)  The TEACHER is never surprised by a pop quiz.  I’m not going to panic if God’s not panicking.  This may be a surprise to me, but never to Him.  God knew before this test was coming.  I can have peace and trust that He loves me enough to get me through this!
**Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

2)  The TEACHER has specifically customized your test to assess what's in you.  How sweet is it to know that God has predestined according to His purpose to work things after His will for our lives.  There’s always continuity in what God does even if we don’t see or understand it.
**Ephesians 1:11 says, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”

3)  The TEACHER never gives a test that He hasn't previously prepared you for.  The Lord gave the Israelites a series of test after test after test after test.  But, it was all intentionally for His glory.  Each test was preparing them for the next and the next and the next.  Don’t be like the Israelites, though, who had to keep learning some of the same lessons over and over.
**Deuteronomy 8:2, “and you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”

4)  The TEACHER made the test, so He has the answer key.  You can rest assured that God has all the answers and He loves us so much so that He will give us what we need and He’ll give good gifts to those who ask Him.  No, that doesn’t mean we get everything we want, but we can be sure that it means when we need our Heavenly Father, He is there‼
**Mathew 7:11 says, “if you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

5)  Use your memory bank.  So often we forget the things that God has done for us in the past.  We get caught up in our present storm that we forget the storms that God has brought us through.  Don’t fall so deep in the pit of this situation that you can no longer look around and see what God has done for you and for others.
**Hebrews 10:32 & 35 say, "But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, ... do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward."

6)  If you fail the test, the TEACHER will make you retake it.  There’s nothing like going through absolute hell and then having to go back through the same hell you just went through all because you didn’t learn your lesson the first time.  The Israelite people didn’t trust God to get them out of Egypt.  Then when they got out of Egypt, they didn’t trust God to provide food when they were hungry.  Once they were fed, they didn’t trust God to get them into the Promised Land… God kept testing them.  Don’t be like them‼!


7)  The test is open Book.  :-)  Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Class is in Session...


Whether you're aware of it or not, there just may be a test coming your way.  Unfortunately, we don't get to choose when or how tests come!  However, I believe there are some important things we can do to be prepared at all times.

1)  Pay attention in class... Nothing happens for no reason!  Everything God does is strategic.  If you pay attention now, you will be equipped with all you need for the test.  Don’t be caught off guard or distracted, as you learn along the way, keep in mind that it is for you to be tested.
**1 Peter 4:12, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

2)  Get to know the Teacher Before you Need the Teacher…  God loves you and wants to know you.  Get to know Him.  Ask Him for help if you need it.  But, don't just wait until the struggles come to seek God... build a relationship with Him even before you're in a tough spot.  No one likes to be used.  So don’t use God as your ‘get out of jail free card.’
**1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us, "Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually."

3) Study. Study. Study…  Daily. Consistently.  Don't wait until the night before a test to cram all the information in because you need your sleep.  Or worse, don't get thrown off by a pop quiz.  Studying consistently will ensure that you are ready at all times for whatever may come your way.  Study the Word of God.  It’s the ammunition you need to fight off the enemy.
**Psalm 119:11 says, " Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.."

4)  Memorize those main ideas.   As God is teaching you, know that it’s not in vain.  So, when you’re going through things you don’t understand, instead of whining and complaining, make sure you remember what God is trying to teach you.
**Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." 

5)  Eat well.  Even Jesus knew how important it was to eat well… Not just naturally, but spiritually.  What you put in is what comes out.  So feed your spirit with things of the spirit.  Feed your spirit with the Word, testimonies of the saints, inspiration books and television. 
**In Matthew 4:4, Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

6)  Get plenty of rest... Rest in God, that is.  Honor the Sabbath.  Dedicate your Saturdays to the Lord if you can.  Get your work done in the week so that you can rest on that day if at all possible.  If God can build the world in 6 days and rest on the 7th, we can follow his pattern.  But, even outside of that, practice resting in God.  Don’t rest in your finances, friends or family, but rest in God.  He’s a sure foundation. 
**Ps. 62:5 says, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him."

7)  Get rid of the waste... Naturally, it's helpful to go to the restroom before you enter an exam room.  The most annoying thing is to get in the groove of test taking just to have to stop what you’re doing to release what has built up in you.  Spiritually, we get weighed down with things we should have gotten rid of a long time ago.  Get rid of waste on a consistent basis, don't let it build up inside of you. 
**Psalm 51:2 says, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin."


STAY TUNED FOR PART 2... "Testing in Progress"

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Who I am & What I do!


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