#4 Seasons of Testing
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
1 Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Luke 4:13 And when the Devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season.
Zech. 13:9, and I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined, and will TRY them as gold is TRIED: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, the Lord is my God.
This is #4 series in testing -- All living people will be tested.
This is part 4 in a 5 part series, if you need part contact
Kyfingers@aol.com
Testing does not always get in line and take it’s turn in a gentleman’s fashion.
Trials, storms, and testing come in seasons.
We must know --- THIS TOO SHALL PASS!
God loves you, He will never allow test beyond your ability to endure.
Memorize: 1 Cor. 10:13, remind our enemy.
1 Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Our enemy caught Jesus and bombed him with a series of test, then he backs off for a season. Luke 4:13.
So spiritual testing is more than an event, it is a process.
Zech. 13:9, and I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined, and will TRY them as gold is TRIED: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, the Lord is my God.
If you are in the midst of a test, it is God having confidence in you, saying "YOU CAN MAKE IT."
See, problems and test are but doorways of opportunity to knowing the heart of God.
Problems and test are prophetic, God loves you. God leads you, now trust Him.
23. TESTING MAY TAKE VARIOUS FORMS, WISDOM LEARNS TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST! WISDOM LEARNS TO IDENTIFY THE TEST! WISDOM LEARNS TO THRIVE DURING SEASONS OF TESTING!
Until God’s people learn to identify seasons of testing, we are going to gather in the valleys and cry and be depressed.
Because we fail to identify the testing process, we misidentify who the enemy really is.
Wake up, smell the coffee, realize the problem ---
We search for doctors that can diagnose the sickness, because health cannot be restored until the problem is pin pointed. I pray the Holy Spirit will help us distinguish seasons of testing.
24. UNDERSTAND THE REFINING PROCESS?
In ancient days, there was no thermometers to measure the heat in the refining process.
I am told, the silver smiths knew the silver was pure when they could see a perfect reflection of their face in the silver.
As long as there was dross in the metal, the reflection was distorted.
The purpose of the refining is to see the image of Jesus Christ, the Master.
The testing must go beyond following personalities.
25. SOMETIMES GOD ALLOWS SOMETHING TO BE PLACED IN OUR PATH WAY AS A TEST AREA. HOW DID GOD TEST ADAM AND EVE?
God clearly defined the INBOUND TERRITORY for his new creation.
Here is everything, enjoy the garden, eat freely of every tree ---
but here will be the test, a simple little test ---
Gen. 2:17 DON’T EAT OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE.
The rules were clearly defined, and could not be disputed!
We see several problems developing: EVE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THE ENEMY.
Eve, you should not have entertained the Devil.
Why did you do that?
Then we see Eve distort God’s word. Gen. 3:3: Eve said God said don’t touch or eat of the tree.God never said that.
MANY FAIL GOD’S TEST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO TWIST GOD’S WORDS.
By twisting the word of God and listening to the enemy doubt becomes an issue in the TEST!
The real test was not just disobeying God, but it was wanting to become like God.
Eve was not satisfied in a perfect garden, where God visited her on a daily basis.
26. TESTING INVOLVES PLAYING GAMES WITH THE FIVE SENSES.
Gen. 3:6 the woman saw it was good.
The more you fight in quicksand, the deeper you sink.
IT WAS PLEASANT TO THE EYES ---
A TREE DESIRED TO MAKE ONE WISE --
Eve never counted the cost.
Eve will soon visit the grave of her son, she will lose her home,
and she will lose her relationship with God.
27. ANOTHER TEST FAILED, WAS THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND REPENTANCE FOR BREAKING GOD’S HEART!
You will never see where Adam and Eve said, God I am sorry.
We were wrong. Forgive me.
God asked Adam in Gen. 3:9 Where are you?
We must consider: where am I?
28. MANNA BECAME A TEST.
God’s people were in the desert, this was a testing zone.
The people were in a lean time, and learning to depend on God for His Divine Provisions.
God wanted to test their obedience. God said, gather an omer (quart) of manna for each person...
THIS WAS A TEST --- trust God and obey.
Many gathered much more and hoarded the manna.
The manna turned in to decay and worms.
They failed the test.
This failed test taxed the man of God and it angered God.
It was not just the desire for more, but it was also the lack of trusting as God said.
29. NUMBERS CAN BECOME A TEST.
There is a beautiful lesson about trusting in numbers and power, or trusting God?
Judges 7. Gideon faced a powerful foe.
His army was already small.
Why would God suggest to Gideon, you have too many?
Wait, you can never have too many?
God cut the army from 30,000 to 22,000. Wait a minute God?
This is a test?
The test is not over yet, the number will drop to 300?
This was a terrible test.
Yet, Gideon obeyed and victory was given.
The issue was not numbers, but trust!
30. THE TEST OF LOVE.
You will find time for what you love!
As Lot was leaving his home, God clearly warned them --- DON’T LOOK BACK!
As they were leaving, they got some distance out of town, Sister Lot failed the test.
She disobeyed and turned back.
I think the issue is more than the look -- the issue is what was in her heart that caused her to desire a peek-a-boo with the Devil. Your eyes will look to what you love!
31. THE TEST OF WORK.
NOAH MEANS REST, but he was called to a very difficult test.
There was no Lowes or 84 Lumber Company, no chain saws, and no finished lumber fell out of the sky.
Many blisters and fears will face this man of God. Many will mock Noah.
I think there were times Noah doubted himself.
Just because God called you, does not mean the road will go down hill?
I often pray for finished lumber, and God gives me acorns -- and says grow it yourself? That is not fair God.
THE TEST OF GETTING MAD AT THE PREACHER.
Naaman is a very sick man.
Naaman needs a miracle.
Naaman is going to die.
Naaman gets very mad at the preacher because he does not perform the ministry the way Naaman thinks God’s man should do it.
Do you think Elisha wanted to minister Naaman as Naaman desired?
2 Kings 5:11 Naaman was very wroth, then to beat it all, Naaman does not like the message.
Naaman’s test was to try to control the message and the messenger or submit and obey.
His choice?
You to will face this test.
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
Help me and pass this on... write Kyfingers@aol.com for the other three parts.
