DISGUISED: FEELING TRAPPED IN THIS TRIAL?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Hazard, Kentucky is in Perry County. We stopped to grab a hamburger and the sign in the window said, “REVIVAL IN HELL FOR CERTAIN.” We enquired about the sign. We were informed that Perry County has a place known as “HELL FOR CERTAIN. Wow, I don’t think I would like to live in HELL FOR CERTAIN?
GOD HAS COMMISSIONED YOU FOR A PURPOSE… THERE IS A PLACE IN THE BIBLE THAT I OFTEN REFER TO… I FIND COMFORT HERE AND YET THESE VERSES MAKE ME PONDER AND THINK DEEPLY. WE MUST GUARD OUR HEARTS AWAY FROM BEING SELF-DECEIVED. ARE YOU CORRECTABLE, TEACHABLE AND WILLING TO LEARN? DO IT IS DANGEROUS TO THINK YOU ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING… IT IS NOT JUST YOUR BUILDING MATERIALS, IT IS ALSO YOUR MOTIVATION AND YOUR WORDS.
My friend, you are not a spiritual victim… you are a product of your daily menial choices. YOU ARE BUILDING A LIFE AND ETERNITY.
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF A HOLY GOD. Your motives and your actions and reaction will tell. THE DAY IS COMING WHEN YOUR WORDS, ATTITUDES AND DEEDS WILL BE OPENLY REVEALED. In each day we make the choice to have a good day or we can build problems and have trouble. We must be careful how we build. Have you quit?
BLESSING CAN COME IN HIDDEN DISGUISES… (TO CONCEAL, TO ALTER APPEARANCE) Years ago a read an interesting story about building. There were two men that had been friends since childhood. They thrived and prospered in the building industry. Their families were dear friends. The GREAT DEPRESSION OF THE 1929 AND 1930. The depression lasted 43 months. The stock market crashed. There was a banking panic and many people lost everything. The one builder had invested wisely and had secured his wealth in safe places. His dear friend lost everything.
The secure friend owned many pieces of property and was debt free. The unwise builder was in deep debt and the crash destroyed him. His friend prayed and felt so sorry for his broken friend. The man took one of his best pieces of property and told his broken friend I want you to build the biggest mansion, you design it and build it with the best material. You work until the depression is over. The broken friend, ordered some material. He dug the foundation and started building his friend’s house. He was so surprised that his prosperous friend never came one time to check on his work. Several weeks into the building the rich friend never came to inspect his work. So the poor man started using lesser valued material. He received his cash pay every week without fail. As the uninspected work progressed the poor man started building with cardboard. The paint and work made the cardboard look so good. Still no inspection. The mansion had very little wood, just staples and cardboard.
Finally after 43 months the depression was over. The poor friend finished the cardboard mansion and was now going back to work on his own. The prosperous friend called to meet his friend at the front of the property. The rich man said from out front, it looks like a master piece. I knew you were good. The rich man said: HERE, HERE IS THE KEY. THE PROPERTY AND THE HOUSE IS YOURS. I just loved you so much I could not stand the thought of you being out of work and hungry. I already own beautiful houses and property I don’t need this house. You and your family go ahead and move into the house.
The poor man milked his friend and took advantage of their friendship. NOW HE OWNED A CARDBOARD HOUSE, AND HE COULD HAVE HAD THE BEST MANSION ON HIS SIDE OF TOWN. HE MISSED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. HE COULD HAVE HAD A MANSION. NOW WHEN THE RAINS AND STORMS COME THE MAN WILL BE REVEALED AS A FOOL.
AM I BUILDING BY LIFE WITH THE BUILDING INFERIOR MATERIALS OF THE FLESH OR OF THE ETERNAL MATERIAL THAT WILL NOT BE CONSUMED BY THE FIRE… HOW YOU BUILD AND WHAT MATERIALS YOU BUILD WITH WILL BE REVEALED BY THE FIRE.
Can we see what God is doing? He refines us, not without fire. God uses trials, troubles, fears, problems and suffering to test us like silver in the furnace of affliction.
Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
I AM AMAZED THAT THE TEMPERATURE TO REFINE GOLD IS 1948 DEGREES. ISRAEL WAS REESTABLISHED AS A NATION IN 1948.
THE BUILDING MATERIAL WILL TELL A STORY OF VALUE… GOLD? SILVER? PRECIOUS STONES? VS WOOD, HAY AND STUBBLE... TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S WORK WE MUST BUILD WITH GOD’S VALUE
SYSTEM.
Proverbs 17:3 The firing pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
THE FIRE COMES DISGUISED… THE FIRE IS THE OPPORTUNITY…
NOT ONLY THE HOTTER THE HEAT THE STRONGER THE METAL --- THE HOTTER THE HEAT THE PURER THE METAL WILL BE…
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
We do not like nor do we appreciate the fire. We do not like trials, sufferings and storms … THEY ARE ALL PART OF REAL DAILY LIFE. This problem is a DISGUISED BLESSING…
DISGUISED? I HAVE READ THE BEST WOOD TO MAKE A VIOLIN OR FIDDLE GROWTHS FROM THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT FACES THE STORMS THAT COME AND GO.
This wood that knows the harsh storm will make the instrument sound much better. MAY GOD IS MAKING YOU A BETTER VESSEL FOR HIS USE.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
CONCLUSION: EVERY COMMON BUSH IS AFLAME WITH THE GLORY OF GOD… BUT ONLY HE WHO SEES WILL TAKE OFF HIS SHOES… THIS OPPORTUNITY COMES WITH A MASK ON… IT IS DISGUISED… This may appear to be the end and destruction… THIS MIGHT BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE…
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
WHY CAN’T WE RECOGNIZE THE DISGUISE OF THIS PROBLEM? When we are downing and we are in over our head, God promised to be there with you. This may seem like we are between a rock and a hard place, realize this is a GOD MOMENT, OPPORTUNITY!
IN MEXICO CITY IN THE 1968 OLYMPICS THERE WAS A TANZANIAN MARATHON RUNNER NAMED JOHN STEPHEN AKHWARI. John never won a gold, silver or bronze metal. John was the last place finisher of the race. John was not used to the high altitude and he started cramping. 18 of 75 starters quit in the first half of the race. I CAN’T TELL YOU WHO WON THE MARATHON THAT DAY… Listen JOHN WAS KNOWN NOT AS A LOSER BUT HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS DEDICATION AS HE FACED ADVERSITY. JOHN IS REMEMBER AS A GREAT FINISHER. The cramps never stopped him. The was a crash of several runners. John was knocked down. He has a serious gash to his knee. His knee was dislocated. John hurt his shoulder against the blacktop. The crowd was cheering on the runner and they thought JOHN WOULD BE RUSHED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. He refused to go. He allowed some first aid and then continued running (limping) the rest of the way. When John enter the stadium the crowd was gone. He finished last, several hours after the applause of the crowd for the winners. He continued to finish last. WHY? JOHN STEPHEN AKHWARI become the hero of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics not because he won, but because he never quit. John was asked WHY? WHY DIDN’T YOU QUIT? He replied: I DID NOT COME TO THIS RACE TO JUST REPRESENT TANZANIA, I CAN TO FINISH THIS RACE! My country sent me thousands of miles not to start the race but to finish. He continued his racing career after his recovery. Yes, he was a good runner but his fame came not from winning but from his continuing to the finish line knowing he didn’t have a chance. John is known from overcoming the disguised blessing of OBSTACLES to show courage and dedication. JOHN’S PLACE IN HISTORY WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A FINISHER.
Never give up on yourself or another person. You might fell TRAPPED IN THIS TRIAL but may God has raised you up for such a time as this. You are not trapped in this mess. This mess is a great opportunity You might be the only intercessor standing between another person and hell. This problem, this trial, this fear, this hurt, this bitterness, this suffering, this death, --- all the negative junk --- THIS TOO SHALL PASS… GOD WILL HELP COMFORT AND BRING PEACE…
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
GOD's angels will set up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (Check me out on YouTube)
