EMBRACE YOUR SEASON! CRUCIBLE, TEST, THIS IS ONLY A TEST.
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
Proverbs 17:3 The firing pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
COUNT IT JOY WHEN YOU FACE TEST!
*Test: trial, examination, a series of questions or problems to determine understanding, a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, before use, TO PROVE,
*EXAMINATION: investigation, checkup, study, formal test that shows knowledge, qualification,
*CRUCIBLE: ceramic or metal container which substances are melted by very high temperatures, a situation odf severe trials, to burn out impure, to cleanse, to correct
Malachi 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Malachi 3:3 (MSG) He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for GOD, fit to present offerings of righteousness.
God brings crucible events in our life to transform us. The crucibles are traumatic, intense often unexpected.
WHAT KIND OF ATTITUDE DO I HAVE TOWARD TEST?
In all my years of teaching and pastoring I had one student that was different. His name was David Rock. He was a straight A+ student. Never one time did he dread a test? He was so eager when the test were passed out. He seemed happy to grab the test and begin. One day I asked DAVID, Why do you love the test? David was quick to answer. He said: MR. HUGHES the test is a way to prove I have studied and I am ready!
MOST OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW DREAD TEST. People think test are mean and cruel.
FEW LEARN TESTING IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE OUR FAITH, LOYALTY AND TRUST IN GOD’S PLAN. GET REAL, GOD WILL REGULARLY TEST HIS PEOPLE. GOD ALLOWS LIFE SITUATIONS TO EVALUATE OBEDIENCE, WITH THE INTENT TO REVEAL MOTIVES, CHARACTER AND COMMITMENT….
SEASONS OF TESTING ARE REAL AND WE ARE NOT EXEMPT.
ADAM and EVE --- ABRAHAM and SARAH --- MOSES --- DAVID: BEAR-LION --- DANIEL --- JOSEPH --- JOB --- YOURSELF!
Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Galatians 6:4 (MSG) Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. 5 Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
THE TEST TO PROVE: PAUL HAS A LESSON: EVALUATE WHERE YOU ARE… SELF EVALUATION… THE TEST!
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV) Test everything. Hold on to the good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (MSG) 21 On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good.
THE TEST CAN TAKE MANY FORMS. THE CHICKEN AND PIG WERE DISCUSSING WHAT TO EAT FOR BREAKFAST.
The chicken and the pig thought about breakfast. Finally the chicken said: LET US HAVE BACON AND EGGS. The test? The eggs would be a gift of dedication from the chicken. The bacon would be TOTAL COMMITMENT FOR THE PIG.
1 Peter 1:7 (MSG) Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
WHY ARE WE TESTED? BE REAL: ARE TEST BAD? WELL, IF YOU FAIL THEY MIGHT BE! COUNT IT ALL JOY: TO PASS THE TEST
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
THE TEST WILL REVEAL THE TRUTH. WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING? NOBODY SLIDES MY FRIEND… THERE COME A GREAT DAY OF INSPECTION THAT WILL REVEAL INFERIOR EFFORTLESS, CHEAP,
1 Corinthians 3:12 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?
I read a story from the Great Depression 1929 to 1941. There were two very successful builders. One builder was very wise and prepared for the depression. His dear friend did not see the depression ahead and wasted his opportunities to squirrel away. He thought everything would always be prosperous. The foolish builder lost everything. He lost his cars, his home and his nest egg. The wise investor was untouched and he had secured his material blessings.
One day the wise investor was talking to his wife. Many of their friends that lost everything had committed suicide. They feared for their friends. So they decided to help. The man purchased 10 acres of land. He opened and unlimited account for his friend. They met together. The successful business man told his friend, here is 10 acres of land and a line of credit. I want you to build me a mansion spare no expense. He left the design totally to his broken friend. The man started building the mansion. The owner never once came to inspect the work. They talked on the phone. The rich man had the weekly check delivered to his friend. When the owner never came, never inspected or never inquire about the work the poor broken friend decided to use cheap material. After a year of working and the owner never came the poor friend started build the mansion with cardboard. He developed away to paint the cardboard that made the mansion look so good. The mansion had little wood and effortless work. He fooled his friend. Remember the rich man never even drove by the mansion. He trusted his friend completely. The man worked 6 years and was paid on a weekly basis. The poor man had a good paying job and wanted for nothing. He reported weekly to his friend about how good the mansion was coming along.
The great Depression ended. The rich builder agreed to meet the poor, deceptive builder at the front of the cardboard mansion. He pulled his fancy car to the property. He had his friend come out to him. The poor builder handed the keys over to the rich man and thanked him for the years of work. The man stepped out of his car and said: We love you. We don’t need another mansion. He accepted the keys to the beautiful mansion and returned them to his friend. He said: Thank you for the friendship. I GIVE YOU THIS HOUSE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR THE REST OF OUR DAYS.
This mansion is yours! The poor man cried. He had taken advantage of his friendship. NOW HE WAS THE OWNER OF A PRETTY PAINTED CARDBOARD MANSION. HE FAILED THE TEST. HE FAILED THE TEST MISERABLY. HE COULD HAVE HAD THE BEST MANSON IN THE AREA. NOW HE OWNS A CARDBOARD MANSION THAT LOOKS GOOD, BUT THE STORMS AND THE WEATHER WILL SOON DESTROY WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST.
CONCLUSION: HOW ARE YOU BUILDING YOUR HOUSE? YOUR CHURCH? YOUR FAMILY? AND YOUR INDIVIDUAL LIFE. THE SEASON OF TESTING IS COMING. Do you ever evaluate your daily life? Could you do better? Could you invest more effort? Could you give a little more? The preacher pours out his heart? You know! You know that you could do better? Will you come down to the last breath with a CARDBOARD MANSON? The test is coming. WE WILL KNOW SEASONS OF TESTING … the season of testing will GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND MATURE. This test could bring about a good change in you.
MY FRIEND, COME WITH ME--- RECOGNIZE THE TEST! GOD HELP US PASS THE TEST! As a plane makes its final approach to the runway … GET READY THE TESTING SEASON IS COMING!
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
THE TRUST TEST?
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
