#2 Seasons Of Testing Series

#2 Seasons of Testing

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.

Kyfingers@aol.com

This is part #2 of pondering about being tested.

TEXT:

James 1:12, blessed is the man that endures tests, for when he is tried, he shall obtain the crown of life.

Hebrews 12:11 is very clear-- No chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that exercise it.

Ponder, why are we tested?

What is the purpose of a test?

Are test always bad?

Can I avoid test?

This is part two, of a five part series.

If you do not have part, just ask from Kyfingers@aol.com.

14. THE FARTHER AWAY FROM GOD YOU ARE THE MORE YOU ARE TEMPTED, THE CLOSER TO GOD THE MORE YOU ARE PERSECUTED.

To really appreciate life and find real joy, one must not live slip shod.

We must apply effort and be firm in our resolve and do our best. When we do our best, we can trust God with the rest!

James 1:12, blessed is the man that endures tests, for when he is tried, he shall obtain the crown of life.

The test of any person is not just their words, but their actions.

You cannot stop birds from flying over head, but you can refuse to provide a space for birds to build their nest and hatch out more!

15. THE MORE YOU FEED IMPROPER ATTITUDES DURING SEASONS OF TESTING, THE LONGER THE DURATION OF TESTING.

We have two dogs living inside each individual, a good dog and a bad dog.

Which dog rules?

The dog you feed will be the strongest and beat up the other dog. Feed depression?

The more you feed the bad dog, the stronger and harder the battle.

That is why the Bible says: Neither give place to anger. GIVE NO GROUND.

You can cry all day because of the thorn on a rose, or you can praise God for the rose among thorns, attitude!

16. WHEN YOU TRY TO FLY AWAY FROM TESTS AND TEMPTATIONS YOU ALMOST ALWAYS LEAVE A FORWARDING ADDRESS.

Most of our problems are battles within the heart.

The problem of the heart is the heart of the problem.

40 days, twice a day, Goliath defiled God and God’s people.

After hearing 80 negative messages, God’s people spent the night in their tents crying.

David comes a long, he has not been saturated by the negative messages.

David ran toward Goliath, he refused to "run away."

We must not develop a "run away spirit." GOD CAN -- LET HIM! Don’t run from test.

17. DAVID FACED A LION, BUT IT WAS PREPARATIONAL TO UP COMING EVENTS.

As Samson first faced a lion, the roar birthed concern in his spirit, but Samson learned how to overcome.

The next time Samson faced a lion there was sweet honey to nourish him and his family.

Had Samson ran from the lion, he and his family might have starved to death later.

How would David had known about TRUSTING God to do battle with Goliath, had he not first faced a bear and a lion? God is teaching and leading us, trust Him.

18. GOOD DISCIPLINE HELPS OVERCOME THE SEASONS OF TESTING.

A horse has little value until it is broken and harnessed.

The great horse learns discipline, the greater the discipline the greater the value to it’s master.

Steam is just vapor, unless it has been confined, there is power, if it is confined.

Niagara Falls is beautiful, but it gives no light or power unless it is tunneled to a turbine.

Faith and life grows very little until there is focus, and discipline.

Discipline is a dirty word today.

Few hunger for correction and rebuke.

Discipline is not just punishment, this is a very narrow view point. Discipline is training that corrects, molds, perfects our minds and the spirit man.

We must learn to control our emotions, we gain control by reinforced behavior.

There are penalties and judgment and chastisement as well as rewards in life.

Do you control your emotions, lusts, and desires or do they control you? Good disciplined behavior can over come many obstacles. We restrain the flesh.

Hebrews 12:11 is very clear--

No chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that exercise it.

We pay money to watch people that have exercised discipline.

Often, someone will say, I would pay a thousand dollars to play the guitar like you.

I usually make them mad with my answer:

It does not cost money, it cost effort, sore fingers, hundreds of hours of practice.

Music is a discipline.

Bible reading and prayer is a discipline. Faithfulness to church is a discipline.

19. SITUATION ETHICS, WHY DOES NOT GOD EXEMPT HIS CHILDREN FROM CERTAIN SITUATIONS, TESTS?