Testing God

 

Dear Heavenly Father, with everything that is happening right now around the world there is so much that I do not understand. Lord be my guide, be the light so I can see through the darkness, and Lord open my eyes so that I can see what you want me to do. I know I am only one part of the body and that I cannot do what others are doing, but I want to do what You want me to do Lord. Be my escort as I face this path. In Jesus Name Amen

Fear Not

I have been talking with people who are afraid, frustrated, and confused. It is normal to be afraid when there is something going on that can harm us and even worse that we cannot control. God has told us over and over again not to be afraid, I know it is hard when looking around and everything seems to be going crazy. Being concerned for family, friends, and loved ones recall and meditate on what God says: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ^{Romans 8:15 ESV} For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” ^{Isaiah 41:13 ESV} “Do not fear, only believe.” ^{Mark 5:36 ESV}

Frustration

We look around and see people with Covid-19 licking toilet paper in grocery stores and other people helping in ways that you cannot because of your circumstances, and this makes us want to do something. This is so frustrating; we see the guy in the grocery store trying to get people sick, this brings feelings of disgust and raises the question WHY. People are hoarding toilet paper, because of fear, not leaving anything for others, on the positive note there are people handing out food and helping others, but if you helped there is a good possibility that it would make you sick. God tells us that there is a time for everything: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. ^{Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV} This frustration is normal but remember God’s got this He is in control you can do your part and pray be the support for those who have none; call, send someone a thank you letter. Doing this is something Timothy told us to do: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ^{1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV}

Confusion

Don’t be confused: For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. ^{1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV} Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ^{Hebrews 13:8 ESV} Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! ^{Psalm 119:169 ESV} I cannot say this enough; God has got your back pray the prayer that Elisha prayed: Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. ^{2 Kings 6: 17} Pray to have your eyes opened so that you may see Gods plan for you, when this plan becomes apparent you will be able to see the “chariots of fire” that He has given you to fight with. Yours will be different than others that is why we are told that we are one part of the whole body: For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ^{Romans 12:3-5 ESV} Become the “one part” that He has intended you to be.

We have the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions

God has given us so much, His grace is over-whelming! The power that has been given to us with the faith of a mustard seed will allow us to move mountains; “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him ^{Matthew 11:22-23} Moving beyond that we are told of the authority that we, as Christians, have been given. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. ^{Luke 10:19 ESV} They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” ^{Mark 16:18 ESV} You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. ^{Psalm 91:13 ESV} When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. ^{Acts 28:3 ES} When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. ^{Isaiah 43:2 ESV} That is some kind of awesomeness, to know that God takes care of us with every step taken.

We must test all things

With all of this authority that we have been given there comes great responsibility. With that responsibility making sure that when using this authority it is not used in the wrong way. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ^{Romans 12:2 ESV} Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! ^{2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV} Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ^{1 John 4:1 ESV} But test everything; hold fast what is good. ^{1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV} “But he knows where I am and what I’ve done. He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I’ll pass the test with honors. I’ve followed him closely, my feet in his footprints, not once swerving from his way. I’ve obeyed every word he’s spoken, and not just obeyed his advice—I’ve treasured it. ^{Job 23:10-12 MSG} 

Why do we think we need to test Christ?

Where does it say test God? I do not see anything about testing God, I do however see over and over again test the spirits, men and ourselves. Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ^{Matthew 4:5-7 ESV} Looking at that gives complete insight on who likes to bring up questions about faith and trust. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, ^{1 Corinthians 10:9 ESV} When we look at a different version it really puts it into a whole different perspective of how important it is that God is not tested. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—“First the people partied, then they threw a dance.” They paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them. These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. ^{1 Corinthians 10:6-12 MSG}

Guilt

This is not meant to call anyone out, this is for those of us that need to stay home instead of going out and trying to help. STOP beating yourselves up! But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 ESV  I know it is frustrating because lending a hand when there are others in need is second nature. We have been told to: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ^{Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV} Ask yourself am I going to be better trying to lend support in different ways that do not require walking through a fire that God did not intend to be walked. After doing this, remember, God is not someone who condemns us: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ^{Romans 5:1 ESV} There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ^{Romans 8:1 ESV} Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ^{James 4:7 ESV} Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ^{1 Peter 5:7 ESV} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ^{Hebrews 4:15 ESV} Do not fall for the lie being whispered in your ear that by not being present for certain things you are not doing the work that God wants you to do. Read that again, “works”. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” ^{Isaiah 6:7 ESV}

Do not be deceived, Armor up!

The best way to shut out these whispers that keep on coming through is to armor up, remember that the devil disguises himself as an angel of light: And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ^{2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV} I know this is repeating this point but it cannot be stressed enough! When reading the bible, our owner’s manual, it’s seen that satan even tried to deceive Jesus while He was being tempted: Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” ^{Matthew 4:5-7} Looking at this passage helps one realize the devil has no shame! I know that the devil has been glamorized, even made into the victim, on TV, when looking at that it kind of helps us grasp the concept that it is part of satins grater plan, the devil has had thousands of years to perfect his approach. ARMOR UP: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ^{Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV} 

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Citation:

“Bible Gateway Passage: – English Standard Version. version=ESV.