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Thoughts On Trials And Temptations
"Blessed by the Test"
Happy are those whom you discipline, O LORD, and
whom you teach out of your law, giving them
respite from days of trouble, until a pit is dug
for the wicked. For the LORD will not
forsake his people; he will not abandon his
heritage; for justice will return to the
righteous, and all the upright in heart will
follow it.
Psalm 94:12-15 (NRSV)
Most everyone we know wants to be
"happy" and have victory in Jesus.
The Hebrew word for "happy" is blessed {bawrak},
and means a benefit of God. We can be
blessed in all the tests, tribulations, and trials
of this life if we follow God's
instructions. "And not only so, but we
glory in tribulations also; knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; and patience
experience, and experience, hope. And,
hope maketh not ashamed because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
which is given unto us."
Romans 5: 4-6
The Psalmist David also tells us how to be blessed
and also gives us 'promises of justice' for the
righteous in Christ. We have obtained like
precious faith through the "righteousness of
God in Christ."
Happy are those whom the Lord disciplines.
Discipline is the word for "teach or
instruct" from the Hebrew word "moosawr".
This word means instruction, check,
correction, doctrine, and also rebuke at
times. God's laws are set forth to teach us
how to be blessed. Discipline may sometimes seem
"narrow", but this is the way that
leads unto eternal life. When we are taught
by the laws of the Lord, we are given
"respite" from days of trouble.
What does the word respite mean? The
Scriptures tells us we can be given respite.
Respite is "relief",
"breathing", or "room" in
Hebrew meaning, and actually means
deliverance or that he will 'enlarge our hearts'
or borders. We will have space to be revived,
refreshed and "breathe freely" according
to Hebrew meaning. This is a great comfort in
times of stress and trials of life and the
root word is also "to enjoy". This
is something all of us desire in life. Enjoy
is to dwell "in his joy" or
"to have favor with God". We do
not have to be in 'dire straits' because of
the enemy. If Jesus is on our side, He will
give us freedom and enlargement of
heart. The Bible tells us he will
"enlarge our steps" as He did for
the Saints of the Bible.
This surely does not mean we are delivered out of
all the troubles which may come our
way. It means we will be given peace in the
midst of any trouble or woes which we may
walk through. We will be in God's favor and
grace even through we may have troubled
times. Whom the Son makes free, is really
free indeed. The circumstances do not matter
to God as long as He is in control. In other
words, we can be refreshed even in the midst of
troubles. We are promised this peace
until a "pit" is dug for the
wicked.
Does God dig a pit for the wicked? Actually, they
determine their own fate by either obedience or
disobedience unto His ways. A pit in
Hebrew meaning refers to a "trap"
or "destruction". This word comes
from a word meaning to perish, lose, or be
cast off. We understand this is the end
result of "not believing upon the
Lord" or walking in his right paths. He
that believeth shall have eternal life but he that
believeth not, shall perish or suffer
"the pit of destruction".
We have many trials or tests in this life.
How we react will determine our final
destination and fate. We can walk through
the trials and tests knowing that our Lord has
already gone before us. He will carry us
through safely, until the wicked are snared by
their own actions. "He that diggeth a pit,
shall fall therein". We are promised
safety from the desired result of the schemes of
the enemy. What the enemy means for harm can
be reversed by God into something good for
the glory of God.
We are promised the Lord will not forsake his
people or abandon his heritage. Justice will
return to the righteous, and all the upright in
heart will follow it. Justice here means
"righteousness" and is from the word
"tsaw-dak" which means to make right or
be right, clear or cleanse self. We must be
upright in heart to be blessed.
Upright means "to be straight or right"
and comes from the word "yaw-shawr" in
Hebrew. The straight and narrow path of
God's laws and discipline will lead us in these
paths of righteousness. There is only one
road leading home and we must walk the path
which He has already walked before us. The
way may not be easy as it involves taking up our
cross daily. This is self-denial. We
must deny ourselves and put Jesus first in all we
do or say. When we lean on his laws and
instruction and follow his ways, we can pass any
test or trial with flying colors.
Our own understanding will fail us in times of
troubles, but if we follow on, trust in Him, and
stay on the straight and narrow path, we will one
day see the lights of Home and hear him say
"enter in thou good and faithful
servant". "For justice will
return to the righteous, and all the upright in
heart will follow it." If we are upright
or straight, we are following justice.
There used to be a commercial for a bus company
which said, "take Greyhound and leave
the driving to us". God says,
"take the narrow way and leave the
driving to me!". He is the only one who can
carry us safely through this life all the way to
the gates of glory. He will lead, guide, and
direct our paths when we follow after
justice. March on in God's Army and be
a part of that number who will enter in one day
soon.
Following Jesus brings Victory!
V I C T O R Y - Because He lives, we never die!
Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2001
His Grace is Sufficient
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
is made perfect in weakness."
( 2 Cor. 12:9 )
Do you ever feel weak or inadequate? I suppose
everyone does at times. We must remember it
is not by our might or power, but by God's Spirit
we are able to see His will and work
accomplished. His grace is always sufficient
for whatever task we may be called to do
regardless of how difficult it may seem. Our
petitions for help will be answered when we ask in
faith and believe. He is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek Him in spirit and
truth.
When we are weak, He is our strength. We can
do nothing on our own which will be lasting,
unless we are leaning upon Jesus. Our
ability is not what matters to the Lord. He
will give us the strength to share the good news
of the Gospel. We must be available and he
will enable us.
Each person in the Body of Christ is
important. It takes all members working
together to see the work of God go forth on Earth
as He intends. One may be the
"spokesman" for the Lord and another a
silent prayer warrior. One is as
important as the other to God in His
Kingdom.
When you feel there is nothing you can do or you
do not have strength, remember God qualifies
the called. He equips and qualifies as
we look and lean to Him. Let his
strength and power work through you today.
There just might be someone waiting to hear how
much Jesus loves them. Someone needs
prayer today. Someone is hurting and
needs a word of comfort and care. In
our weakness He will be our help and give us words
of truth and life. We can go forth in faith
and speak words to help edify and build up
the Body of Christ. His Holy Spirit will be
there for us. He always knows exactly what
we need and is always on time. Remember, we
are told "his power is always made perfect in
our weakness."
Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations
| Clay
in the Potter's Hands |
|
"Behold,
as the clay is in the potter's hand, so
are ye in my hand."
"Arise, and go down to the Potter's
house, and there I will cause thee
to hear my words. Then I went down
to the Potter's house, and behold,
he wrought a work on the wheels.
And the vessel that he made of clay was
marred in the hand of the potter; so he
made it again another vessel, as seemed
good to the potter to make it."
Jeremiah 18: 2.
We are told in God's Word to count it
all joy when we fall into different
trials. {James 1: 2-3} This isn't
always easy to do but with God's Spirit
we can let Him have his way in our lives
no matter what the circumstances may
be. Many sing the song
"Have Thine Own Way" without
thinking just what the words really
mean. He is the Potter and we
are like the clay. We are to be
pliable in the hands of our Maker and
let him mold us into his image to be
more like Him.
Although we sing the words to this old
song, many times when problems come our
way, we question God for allowing
them. He does not cause the
problems but will sometimes
permit them, knowing the trying of
our faith works patience. {James 1:
3} He tells us to let patience
have her perfect work that we may be
perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. If we never had a problem,
trial, or opposition, we would not know
the fullness of the one who knows all
about every struggle and is always with
us. Problems bring us closer to the
'Problem-Solver' as he works with a
vessel which will one day be a
masterpiece for Him.
God picks up vessels which have been
marred by sin but he does not throw the
clay away. Although a vessel may
be cracked or broken, the Potter knows
exactly how to put all the pieces back
together again to make a "vessel of
honor as it seems good to Him." {Jer.
18:3} With the living water of His
Spirit he remakes and recreates souls
into new creations of beauty for his
glory. Only the Father can wash
whiter than snow to make all things
new. He cared enough to lovingly
place us back on the "potter's
wheel" and remake us so we would be
pleasing to Him. It is then up to
us to stay in his will as we yield to
his Word and ways.
We sing to the Lord: "hold o're our
being, absolute sway. Do we really mean
the words we sing and are we willing to
let Him search and try us? We also
ask him to 'fill us with his spirit
until all can see only Him always
living within us'. These are
powerful words and not just a song but
also a prayer unto the Lord.
They are a petition being sung to Him
asking specific requests. He is
pleased when we sing the words in spirit
and truth as we humbly bow our hearts
before Him. Keep asking and
praying and God will answer just as He
has promised to do.
"Have thine own way Lord"
should be our daily prayer. When God has
his way in our lives, our ways will
be pleasing to Him and we will have joy
even in the midst of the trials of this
life. There is none like unto Him
who truly is the Potter. Bless Him
today as He has placed his light within
our hearts that we may shine forth
the praises of our risen Lord and
Savior. "Have thine own way Lord
within our hearts and lives
today and each day that we
live."
Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2002
| "I
am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not
I, but Christ liveth in me;
and the life which I now life
in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who
loved me, and gave himself for
me."
Gal. 2: 20. |
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