THE EIGHT POINTS OF TESTING

The eight points of testing

2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6

"... thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ ..." (v.14)

Some of the characteristics of faithfulness are honesty, reliability and a deep concern for truth. Another characteristic is the quality of carrying through on all God's commands to us -- keeping faith to the end.

To help us come through the times of testing everyone has to face at some time, the Holy Spirit builds into us the ability to see things through to the end. One writer has listed the eight fiercest tests a Christian faces in this world in this order:
 (1) Humiliation -- a savage and plausible attack on our reputation. (2) Suffering -- physical, mental or spiritual.
(3) Bereavement -- especially in relation to a loved one whose death was "untimely."
(4) Estrangement or treachery from one's family and friends.
 (5) Doubt -- deep, dark and awful.
 (6) Failure -- the breaking up of one's life work.
(7) Dereliction -- the sense of being forsaken by God.
(8) A slow, painful and unillumined death.

Not all of us have all of them to meet, but meeting any one of them can be a strong and severe test. How does a Christian triumph in the midst of such fierce testings as are listed above? Any triumph we experience at such times is the triumph of the Holy Spirit. He dwells in us, not just for the pleasure of inhabiting our beings, but to lead us to victory over all our problems. Perhaps you are being called to face one or more of these eight points of testing this very moment. Then take courage -- the Holy Spirit is with you and in you to take you through the fire and bring you out triumphant.

Prayer: Father, I am grateful that Your Spirit dwells within me to lead me through to victory. Even in my darkest trials You are there, inspiring me and causing me to triumph in all things. Thank You, Father. Amen.
For Further Study
Luke 10:19; Psa. 44:5; Rom. 8:35-37;1 John 5:4
1. What was Jesus' promise to His disciples?
2. What was Paul's gripping conviction? Steadfastness
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Looking over this list it is apparent to me that every one of us goes through at least 2 of these  test or trials, if not all of them in our life time. It does not matter whether we are saved or not we all face these trials. I know that when I am going through one of these trials I look around and see that  many people 'seem' to be living a better life than I am because many  people are better at showing a good face in public. But I know for sure that no matter the mask we show in public, ALL  of us are going through one of these trials and that ,you can take to the bank. No one is exempt all of us must grow up. Those not saved are being led to the Lord, those saved are being brought through the fire and enabled to get through these trials with the aid of God's Holy Spirit.

Life is no picnic that is for sure, I struggle daily with pain, and the inability to walk without a walker or crutches, every step I take is very painful for me in my knees,hip and back, and when I use my crutches the pain in my shoulders and wrist get aggravated because of the pressure from added weight put on them while using my crutches. Each night is a battle trying to get the sleep I know I need but unable to because of pain, and now battling a cold that keeps me coughing and blowing my nose all day and night, just compounds the problem.
I am only telling you this not to seek sympathy, but,  so you know that I am a fellow traveler here on earth and I am living in and through these test daily and not someone who is always portraying perfection and constant victory in all areas of their life , I am not . The words I write here is for the most part for me to remind me of who I am and who lives in me . God is within me ,for the purpose of seeing me through these trials so that I can mature in Him ,so that I will be the person I need to be when the next age comes.
Maybe I just need more trials in my life because I need to grow up in the Lord more than I have been in the past, which probably would not be to far from the truth. But what ever the reason we are going through these test or trials, we need to stop hitting ourselves in the head over them  with fear, blame, guilt, worry or whatever the negative theme we use on ourselves and just start viewing these trials as stepping stones to the kingdom of God and rest in God's mercy to carry us up the steps.
Blessings in Christ
Endura/PATC

OUR TRIALS IN LIFE

OUR TRIALS IN LIFE
The trials in our lives present many opportunities: In the Scriptures there are some things for us to consider,Here are just a few

1.To glorify God (Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25);

2.Discipline for known sin (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; 1 John 1:9);

3.To prevent us from falling into sin (1 Peter 4:1-2);

4.To keep us from pride. Paul was kept from pride by his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10);4

5.To build faith (1 Peter 1:6-7);5

6.To cause growth (Romans 5:3-5);6

7.To teach obedience and discipline (Acts 9:15-16; Philippians 4:11-13);

8.To equip us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4);

9.To prove the reality of Christ in us (2 Corinthians 4:7-11);

10.For testimony to the angels (Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:12).

As we encounter serious trials, we need to remember is to maintain the divine viewpoint .As it is written,

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor 2:9

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

In the Bible of Nature we can see that struggles, hardships, being buffeted by the wind and the elements all enable life to thrive. A chick within the egg must struggle to break free from what binds it, and so must chip away at it until it is free, but if we intervene and make it easier for the chick ,it will always die. It is by it's struggle to break free that it finds the strength to live in this world. Consider plants , when we grow plants in a green house with all the conditions perfect, then we place these plants out in the elements they will die, or will be rather weak and limp. Why? because it it by the constant movement of the wind that allows the stem on the plant to gain it's strength.That is why when growing plants in a green house they place fans all around to cause the plants to strengthen their muscles so to speak. A tree growing up in the earth is made strong by the struggle to remain rooted in the soil as it grows, if it is protected for much of it's young life, like many trees are within cities, it will never grow into the tree it was meant to be, but will at the first strong storm of life be knocked down. That is why trees out in nature are so much more stronger than city dwelling trees that are protected from much of the winds by many buildings.

Our trials and struggles are really for our good, it is what makes us mature into the adults that our Creator has intended us to be. So at the beginnings of any storm of life that comes your way, Thank the Creator for the opportunity to strengthen your muscles, stay rooted and grounded in the love of God and stand firm on His promises , and know that this is truly for our good, let us look on these struggles of life from God's perspective. We are not here to have fun, as many seem to think, although fun is a good thing, but it is not our purpose in life. Whether you are on a spiritual path or not, you are still here to grow into what God intends you to be. Life is for the purpose of creating and shaping in us the power of God in human form, and there is more to this life than meets the eye. There is a future purpose , a grander purpose ahead of us, and let us prepare ourselves by keeping that in mind .

DISCOVERING GOD'S GRACES

                                               
Cardinal in the winter  storm                                                                                               

Devotional from 'Streams in the desert' the emphasis are mine.

"Show me wherefore thou contendest with me" (Job 10:2).

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never have been discovered if it were not for the trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too oft like a glowworm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star--not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black folds in which God doth set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better.

It was but a little while ago that, on thy knees, thou wast saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith."

Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?--for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it. God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials.

God trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers and climb mountains, and walk many a weary mile with heavy knapsacks on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you? --C. H. Spurgeon

To be left unmolested by Satan is no evidence of blessing.

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What a blessing this is for me this morning! For a Believer, there are never any accidents in our lives, NEVER! We are not in this world for comfort or riches, we are here to grow into what God would have us be, and that is it. I had wondered if I had any faith anymore? I feared that maybe I had lost what little I thought I had of God's gift of faith. There have been many an article that could have destroyed all of my small faith in God, the bible and my Lord. But you know there is as much evidence in God, the bible and my Lord as there is not. I have chosen to see God in it all! It is the only explanation of this existance to me, it is the only one that truly made sense to me! I have had continuing disability haunt me, continuing pain and distress haunting me, but I praise God because of them, for they forced me to examine what it is I believed, these trials forced me to see the silver lining in it all, and I truly thank God that I still believe, and that His faith a gift to me is still intact and growing, PTL!
In His Hands!
Shalom

Not in the tumult of the rending storm,

Not in the earthquake or devouring flame;

But in the hush that could all fear transform,

The still, small whisper to the prophet came.

0 Soul, keep silence on the mount of God,

Though cares and needs throb around thee like a sea;

From supplications and desires unshod,

Be still, and hear what God shall say to thee.

All fellowship hath interludes of rest,

New strength maturing in each poise of power;

The sweetest Alleluias of the blest

Are silent, for the space of half an hour.

0 rest, in utter quietude of soul,

Abandon words, leave prayer and praise awhile;

Let thy whole being, hushed in His control,

Learn the full meaning of His voice and smile.

Not as an athlete wrestling for a crown,

Not taking Heaven by violence of will;

But with thy Father as a child sit down,

And know the bliss that follows His "Be Still!"

--Mary Rowles Jarvis