Testing ( Romans 8 v 29)

R.C.Sproul write the following'', In James 1 v 3,we read that God tempts no one. God may test, but He never tempts to evil. A test is for growth; temptation is for evil'' Testing is for growth, what does that mean?.  Malachi 3 v 3 reads ,''He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, he will purify  the Levites and refine them like God and silver''. The story is told of a girl who went to see silver being refined ,She asked the man refining the silver about the process, he told her he had to keep his eye continually on the silver as it may ruin the the process. She further asked him when did he know the right moment to cease, he replied,''when I can see my image in the silver''.The testing ,trials, serve that same purpose,they are like a fire that's purifying the child of God,the ultimate end of the process will be that Christ image been seen in all His children.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Job 3 v 10.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   But he knows the way that I take; when                                                                                                   he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Are you afraid,frustrated? ( Psalm 23 )

As most people know politically it is all very confusion,the country voted in a referendum to leave the EU, appeared simple enough, just leave. The problem the people voted not the politician's,so when it came to putting it into practise,as the world knows,that's a different  story.So many politicians have different views,some want to stay,I think most of them would like to stay,others want to leave,just walk away from it, other want to leave, but want to have free trade, no tariffs terms.The PM has put forth her plan to leave three time,each time it has been defeated, so the date we were supposed to leave,has been put back again and again.For the population it is frustrating, and for businesses it is all very uncertain. Many are anxious, even fearful as to what the future holds, I myself am a bit concerned, but as a Christian I have to remind myself that God is sovereign,over my countries future,and my future. Everyday I pray for my country,and also the difficulties I may be facing and trust Him,who holds the whole world in His hands.

To die is gain.. ( Philippians 1 v 21 - 26 )

I wonder how many could from their heart say, to die is gain ?, these words were penned by the apostle Paul ,while a Roman prisoner. (  Philippians 1 v 21 ) The full verse reads ,' for to me to live is Christ,and to die is gain''  The apostle was sold out to Christ,He was his consuming passion,he did not have a death wish, no he loved life,and lived it to the full.He did not want to die, but death is inevitable,for Paul death would mean  being with Christ, which he declares was better by far. It is J .Parker who writes the following on the Christians death. ' We have recast Christianity into a mould that stresses happiness above holiness, blessings here above blessings hereafter;health and wealth as God's best gifts, and death ,especially early death,not as a thank worth deliverance from  the miseries of a sinful world, but as the supreme disaster.......Is our Christianity out of shape ?. Yes it is,and the basic reason is that we have lost the two world perspective that views the next life as more importance than this one, and understands life here as essentially preparation and training for the life here after'.

Are we downhearted? ( 2 Corinthians 2 v 14 )

There's a room in a Whitehall basement where Winston Churchill used to meet with the war cabinet during the Second World War. On the wall there was a notice, which was place so that all his colleagues could see it clearly. It was a statement  attributed to Queen Victoria, and it reads as follows; 'Please understand that there is no depression in this house. We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist' It sometimes appears that we who are Christians are under so much pressure,everyday I pray for Christians who are persecuted,in this world ,if it is not persecution it can be the cold hand of secularism, eroding the Christian church's standing,so call  followers of Christ, undermining the church's credability. .Yet in spite of this and many other factors ,there is no possibility of defeat,because of Christs death and resurrection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Because of Jesus, victory is assured.

God is Sovereign. ( Isaiah 40 v 10 )

One of the great truths that gripped me as a young believer was the sovereignty of God, Pinks book on the sovereignty was very helpful. A. Motyer writes that God is the,' Mover of History', and John Calvin wrote,'Wars are not stirred up at random , but by the secret influence of God'. Baker comments,'Yahweh is sovereign in the history of the entire world, and freely exercises His will therein'. The fact is if God is  not sovereign then He is not God, Gordon Bridger gives the  scriptures in relation to Gods sovereignty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Lord exercise divine government over the universe at large.                                                                                              Psalm 103 v 19                                                                                                        The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and His kingdom                                                    rules over all.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Over the physical world.                                                                                                                                                                Psalm 104 v 14.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Over the affairs of the nations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Job 22 v 28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               For dominion belongs to the Lord ,and he rules over the nations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Over individuals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Luke 1 v 52.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,and lifted up                                                        the lowly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Most of this I gleaned from Gordon Bridger                                                                                            in his book on three of the minor prophets in                                                                                            'The Bible speaks today' series.

Without Him ( Ephesians 2 v 12 )

                                               How great are my privileges in Christ Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Without Him I stand far off, a stranger, an outcast ;                                                                                   in Him I draw near and touch his kingly sceptre.                                                                                     Without Him I dare not lift my guilty eyes;                                                                                               in him I gaze upon my Father God and Friend.                                                                                         Without Him I   hide my lips in trembling shame;                                                                                      in Him I open my mouth in petition and praise.                                                                                        Without Him all is wrath and consuming fire;                                                                                           in Him  is all love, and the repose of my soul.                                                                                           Without Him is gaping hell below me, and eternal anguish;                                                                     in Him its gates are barred to me by his precious blood.                                                                           Without Him darkness spreads its horrors in front;                                                                                   in Him an eternity of glory is my boundless horizon.                                                                               Without Him all within me is terror and dismay,                                                                                       in Him every accusation is charmed into joy and peace.                                                                           Without Him all things external call for my condemnation;                                                                     in Him they minister to my comfort,                                                                                                         and are to be enjoyed with thanksgiving.                                                                                                   Praise be to Thee for grace,                                                                                                                       and for  the unspeakable gift of Jesus.                                                                                                       (Words from ,'The valley of  vision )
                                             

Don't leave it to late. ( 2 Corinthians 6 v 2 )

I read this recently as regards our Saviour and the prophets, that preached for a verdict, what sort of verdict, that of repentance.,The greatest example of this was the people of Nineveh,the place were Jonah was told by God  to go and proclaim  that because of their wickedness they would be judged by a holy God.When they heard this, the whole city, from the king downwards believed God and turned from their sin.The result was they were spared by God, yes they turned from their sin to God.Sin is a dirty word in these days,but no matter how much we don't like it, the fact is we are sinners by  nature, and by practise. One has said this is a moral universe, those morals God has set up, and when we ignore them , we sin, and that has consequences, severe consequences. unforgiven sin will bring us into judgement,it bars us from a relationship with God,it bars us from going to heaven, and will take us to hell.Are you involved in sexual immorality?,are you a thief?,are you dirty minded?, and filthy of speech?.One has said we live in the age of ' cover up',when we lie and cheat,and deceive,well here is a serious word for you,be sure your sin will find you out,  (Numbers 32 v 23)  When it does ,God will pass judgement on you, and will condemn you to Hell,before that happens you have time to escape that judgement, by turning from your sin,and believe in Jesus for  forgiveness .