Tests that teach

John 6:5-6 NKJV — Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.

John 6:7 NKJV — Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”

Jesus could have simply told Philip what He was going to do.

Instead, He used this test to teach.

Jesus wanted to give all these people what they needed, and knew how He was going to supply the need.

But from Philip’s perspective it was an impossible task.

Matthew 19:26 KJV — But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

In this provision of a meal for thousands, Jesus was giving a lesson in trust.

He wanted them to understand how loving and faithful God is.

God doesn’t give a task and fail to give His servants that which is needful to accomplish the task.

The Lord knows exactly what is required and He can do the “impossible” to provide for it.

We see such truth throughout scripture:

Abraham and Sarah having a son in their old age. Genesis 21:5

An entire nation of people being fed by God daily from a food never seen before and never eaten again once they reached the Promised Land. Exodus 16:15, Joshua 5:12

Joshua asking God to hold time so they could completely defeat the five armies who were attacking the people Gibeon, the people he promised to protect. Joshua 10:13

Three men living through being thrown into a furnace so hot those who took them died from exposure. Daniel 3:22

Times of testings are often opportunities to learn.

This is the theme for the book of Job.

God allowed him to be tested in extreme ways and in the end Job said:

Job 42:2 NKJV — “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

Job’s test brought him far greater understanding of God and a clearer view of himself.

We see the disciples experience a different type of test in the Gospel of Luke.

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Luke 9:1‭-‬3‭, ‬6 KJV

The disciples were able to do all Jesus had instructed them to do.

God was faithful to provide all their needs.

Jesus made sure to explain that living in this world as a follower of Christ would not be easy, but the entire Bible tells us God is faithful.

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV — “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:34‭-‬39 KJV

Following Christ will be just that, walking through trials and tribulations, being misunderstood and yet continually living completely surrendered to the will of God.

While having incredible peace and comfort knowing Who has called us, and trusting He will provide for that which He has told us to do.

With such an understanding, we can grow daily in the knowledge of God and gain a clearer view of ourselves.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit which teaches and convicts us of sin. Lord, please continue to help us to learn about You and ourselves. Please help us to grow in our relationship with You daily, that we might love and trust You wholeheartedly. Thank You that You understand us far better than we understand ourselves. Thank You for the tests that teach. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

December 27

Today’s prayer:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord , mercy shall surround him.
Psalms 32:8‭-‬10 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for these words. Lord, I do not want to be like an animal which must be forced to do something. Instead, I want to be Your child, who lives beside You, looking for You to meet every need. Lord Jesus, only through You can we find joy, peace, contentment, and love. Only in Your truth is there freedom and wisdom. All the things of this world will pass away, and I want to look forward to life in eternity with You each day I live here. Lord, as I sojourn in this place, please teach me. Let my life bring You glory and honor. Lord, help me to keep my eyes open to Your Word and my mind fixed upon Your truths and please give me discernment that I might walk with You in all things. Lord, if there is any pride in me, deal with it. Show me my sin that I might confess it quickly and turn away. Thank You, Jesus for all Your blessings. May Your name be spread throughout the whole Earth! Amen.

Legacy

Five generations

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
II Timothy 1:5‭-‬6 NKJV

Timothy’s mother and grandmother gave him a legacy of genuine faith.

Definitely, a treasure worth passing on.

This genuine faith wasn’t a happenstance, but a choice by both women to follow God and in their devotion to the Lord they planted seeds of this same faith into Timothy.

We must be purposeful if we want to leave a legacy like this.

Our faith must be genuine as well.

Romans 3:25 NKJV — whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

For those who have believed and received salvation it should be evident in lives surrendered to Jesus.

Our choices, our time, our character all plant seeds for the future.

And God’s Word makes it apparent, our lives today leave a legacy for tomorrow.

God’s Word also clearly commands we live out our faith daily, especially before our children.

Deuteronomy 4:9 NKJV — “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,

Both Lois and Eunice followed this verse.

And it’s truth is as applicable today as it was thousands of years ago.

For the Bible clearly teaches us we leave a legacy of one kind or of the other.

Proverbs 3:35 NKJV — The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Proverbs 11:29 NKJV — He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

All the truths of leaving behind a godly legacy can be true of leaving behind a poor one.

Galatians 6:7 NKJV — Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

It is not difficult to leave a legacy of ungodliness.

History is full of those recorded for all to remember their folly or their evil.

And for each one whose life made enough ripple to be written down how many more are there who simply chose to live unto themselves rather than in service to others.

But there is hope.

It’s never too late to begin leaving a legacy of genuine faith.

It’s never too late to speak words of humility, apology, encouragement, truth, or wisdom.

It’s never too late to seek God personally so your life can be used by Jesus to plant seeds in the future.

What kind of legacy are you planting today?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for truth. Lord, please make me like Lois and Eunice, please continue to build and grow genuine faith in my life and use my life to plant seeds into our children and grandchildren. Lord Jesus, help me to see opportunities You give to encourage, love, support, and bring Your Word to. Please keep me from causing harm in anyway, but instead please use me to touch others. Lord Jesus, on my own I can do nothing, it is only in You working through me that I find ability. Thank You. Thank You for all You have done and are doing and will do. Amen.

December 10

Today’s prayer:

Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes. I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies.
Psalms 119:124‭-‬125 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Lord, in Your Bible is truth, life, liberty from sin. Lord Jesus, thank You for the way You continually teach and hone my heart through Your Word. Lord please remove anything which would hinder my walk with You. Lord please heal the sick and hurting. Please comfort those who grieve. Lord Jesus please return the prodigal, protect the innocent, and save the lost. Lord we look to you and we ask that you would return truth, honor, integrity, and justice. We want people to see and to know you. Lord Jesus, please let the whole earth know that there is a God in heaven and You are He. Amen.

Mentor

There are several different types of relationships in the Bible.

Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, well as Naomi and Ruth are a few examples of mentoring.

The word mentor means: ” a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.” https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mentor

The Bible records Naomi giving Ruth counsel in the book of Ruth 3:1-6.

I Kings 19:19-21 Records Elisha becoming Elijah’s servant, a job of training which led to Elisha stepping into Elijah’s prophetic position after Elijah is taken to heaven.

Even Moses was given counsel by his father-in-law:

“Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.” Exodus 18:19‭-‬22 NKJV

He was telling Moses to mentor or train others and therefore spread the responsibility of judging the people.

Mentorship is valuable.

It means taking time to pour into another that which the Lord has taught.

To be purposeful about passing on those things which have been gleaned from the Word of God.

To look for opportunity to sow seeds of faith, trust, and wisdom into another.

To mentor means to live outside one’s own needs and to allow the Lord to love through you to others in a personal long term friendship.

It’s a chance to teach, and an opportunity to receive the joy of watching another grow in Christ Jesus.

And it’s meant to be passed on.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
II Timothy 2:2 NKJV

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9 NKJV

Times and seasons differ, but mentorship is a gift, whether you are the one mentoring or the one being mentored, or both.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the examples You give of this kind of friendship. Lord, thank You for giving us those who can teach and train is as well as those You would have us teach and train. Please help us to be wise, purposeful about those who look up to us, whether at work or home or in our community. Please help us to be people of integrity who reach out to love, nurture, and instruct those around them. Lord Jesus, thank You for being our example in all things. Help us to love others as You do. Amen.

Lessons

Weird hun!

Jase is studying Botany right now so when my Mom found this she made sure I was able to get a picture.

Yet, this winter I’ve been learning the lessons far more than I’ve taught.

These past months have stretched me, pulled me, broken me, and refined me.

Each trial would bring questions.

Many of which I didn’t have the answers to.

“What are we going to do?”

“I have no idea. Let’s pray.”

“How are we going to make it work?”

“I’ve no idea, but I’m praying about it.”

“This isn’t going well and I’m really tired of it.”

“ME TOO! Uhg. Can we stop and pray?”

And although we were seeking the Lord, His answers seemed absent.

It felt like I was continually going to Him and hearing only one thing.

Trust Me.

“Lord, I’m trying to but I have no idea what to do next! Please help!”

Trust Me.

Not what I was wanting.

I wanted: Do this… or The answer is…

Instead the Lord has spent a lot of time showing me myself.

I’m opinionated.

I’m stubborn.

I’m selfish.

Yuk.

“Okay Lord, I am. Please fix me. Please teach me how to be flexible.”

So He did.

He sent a test.

The night before we were to have a party at our house for our daughter’s birthday our water quit, completely.

After I cried.

(I had spent part of one entire day just decorating and the rest cleaning.)

I prayed.

I knew God was asking me to let go of my plans and my ideals.

I phoned my Mom the next morning and then drove to her house to set it up instead.

We had a lovely party and no body cared that it had been moved.

This morning was another test.

I got up very tired and went to prayer because I had a,long list of things I wanted to do today.

It’s Easter and I wanted to make it very special.

As I prayed for strength and ability to work the Lord spoke to my heart.

Why are you trying to do everything?

“I want this to be a special day. I want to help the kids remember what Easter is.”

Gulp.

None of my plans would actually make any impact on our children other than that fact that I would be stressed out and tired trying to get it all done.

I had to let it go.

And it’s been a wonderful day.

We began and ended it with people we care about.

What better way to remember the love of Jesus Christ than to follow through on loving others.

What is a better way to teach my children about Jesus, food and fancy dress or by loving them and spending time with them?

So,

I’m opinionated.

I’m stubborn.

I’m learning.

Dear Jesus,

Please continue to show me the truth about myself and the way I should go. Help me to be willing to trust You in everything. Help me to listen to You about everything. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for Your sacrifice. May my life be a reflection of Your great mercy and love.