I love a good challenge. I would not call myself a procrastinator, but I will say that I do my best work under pressure. I can make plans and get things together, but the challenge is where I am really going to shine. Once, my husband’s company was having a “clean up” day. I love to clean, so I offer to help; of course, I was welcomed with arms wide open. I somehow received the task that no one else wanted, cleaning plastic high chairs. All I was equipped with was a scrubby pad, some gritty powdered cleaner, and water. I made it work. It took about an hour per chair. There was grime deeply imbedded into these chairs and I scrubbed every crevice I could possible reach. When I was finished, I helped clean in some other areas, but my husband’s boss was most impressed with the high chairs. She let it be known that she had not seen those chairs that clean since they first arrived. I could have cleaned anywhere or anything, but I was assigned the job no one else wanted to do. It was perfect for me because I do my best work when I am challenged.
A challenge is just a test. When you challenge someone or something, it is to see if they have what it takes to stand by what they say, preach, teach or believe. I still remember the platform for some of the test I took in high school because they were not a standard test; they had a different desired outcome. Instead of multiple choices, we had to write poetry. Instead of matching, we had to fill in the names on a map- it was something different; it required more. We were being challenged to do our best, to see if we could prove what we were learning instead of just acknowledging that we had. As Christians, we are required to test and challenge daily. Only, we have a different classroom.
Recently, I became aware that one of my favorite “worship experiences” was likened to a cult. I was outraged at first, but because I like a challenge I dug in full force on both sides of the argument. I studied for hours, comparing the facts, and asked my husband to research and pray with me because this effected areas of our worship time with the L-rd. I wanted to be absolutely sure, whatever the out come would be, that I was making the best decisions for my spiritual walk.
As mentioned earlier, we are required to test daily, especially those things concerning the Spirit. We need to make absolute certain that the things we digest are 100% from the
L-rd; that we are not just absent mindedly following something because it seems “spiritual” or it “feels” like G-d. All throughout the Word of G-d, we are challenged to investigate for ourselves what possibly lies behind a spirit. Is it good, lovely and true? Does it edify the church or does it cause confusion? (God is NOT the author of confusion!) Is there scripture to coincide with certain behaviors? And most importantly, does it exude love for the Father? Because without love, the Bible teaches that we are only a clanging gong (an obnoxious noise).
Doesn’t the Word tell us to study to show ourselves approved? Why would we study if there wasn’t going to be a test? I know we liken test to work. And sometimes, we are afraid that if we test what we believe, we won’t get the outcome we desire. But this is our walk with G-d we are talking about. Is there anything more important than making sure we are aligned with what G-d has in store for us? I challenge you that if something seems off, don’t just accept it blindly: research, study and pray about it. Look at both sides of the argument and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth.
Let me end by saying I am not offering that we should test G-d. He so graciously gives us the opportunity to do so when we tithe, obey, bless others, come to salvation, choose His way opposed to the worlds, sacrifice, and love; though, He does not have to. What I am saying is that we should not accept things blindly when it comes to something in which man is involved. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit gave me wisdom to research a ministry I had blindly accepted as truth for years simply because I loved the emotional appeal that came along side. The Word is clear that in the last days, there will be wolves in sheep’s clothing, meaning there are spiritual strongholds that will come to distract us from true worship; but they will look so “spiritual” no one will question them. G-d does see the heart of man, and those leading His people astray will be met with do justice. But He gives us reasoning and discernment for a reason, and we will suffer the consequences as well for not assessing those things that cause us to say, “This doesn’t seem right.” I have to admit that I was confused by the challenge of researching something that seemed to me to be so evidently G-d centered. But what I found is we have to seek the heart (the true intention) that is really behind things we consider the “norm” spiritually. All that glitters is not gold.
Prayer:
Father,
I know that I need You on a daily basis to help me past the test You set before me. Help me G-d to show myself approved to You. Help me make the best decisions in every area of my life, especially in those areas that concern worshiping You. I thank You that Your Word tells us that all we have to do is ask for wisdom, and You grant it to us. L-rd may knowledge and wisdom follow me all the days of my life.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Scripture References:
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
John 6:6 (NKJV)
But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
Does not the ear test words And the mouth taste its food?
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV)
I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves,that Jesus Christ is in you unless indeed you are disqualified.
But, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You
Let us test and examine our ways, and let us return to the Lord!
Psalm 26:2 (AMP)
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (AMP)
But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
Luke 4:12 (AMP)
And Jesus replied to him, [The Scripture] says, You shall not tempt (try, test exceedingly) the Lord your God.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
But the lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Love LIFE (LoveIsForEver):
I was studying recently and found out that the word faith in the Scripture was mis-translated. It should translate to trust. Trust is such a delicate issue. When trust is misplaced, it can have grave consequences. Likewise, when trust is not the cornerstone of a relationship, it can become unnecessarily complicated and have disastrous effects. Let your spouse know that you count them trustworthy and that you, as well, are trustworthy. It may sound silly, but from personal experience, trust in a relationship can take years to rebuild. Make it a point to be a trustworthy person. Keep your word, honor your commitments, and let your spouse know that you appreciate your being able to trust them.
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