To lead a significant life

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WE ALL WILL BE TESTED re-issue from 2008


Ending His great teaching that we call the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used a very simple illustration about two men who built two similar houses, with the only difference being the foundation that the house was laid upon. Matthew 7:24-27

In brief , His admonition to all Christians is this, At some point God will thoroughly test your spiritual condition.

Why?

Because He wants to know what kind of Christians we are, doers of His Word, or hearers only, wise or foolish believers, prepared for adversity or unprepared, over comers or succumbers.

Later in Matthews Gospel, Jesus unflatteringly implied that in the last days a large percentage of those who claim to be His will be “foolish”- thoughtlessly unprepared for His appearing- and the other part “wise” Matthew 25:2.

This is not just a casual prediction.
It is the infallible foretelling, the final and authoritative, prophetic Word of the all knowing Master.

Although humbling, it is a very accurate picture, of the current body of Christians worldwide.

When combined with His earlier warning, it presents a very timely and disturbing message to all of us.

Thus says the Lord to His last-day church: "As these two houses were tested, so your spiritual construction-the spiritual house of character you are building daily, will be tested."

God will send powerful storms to “beat upon that house.” and Luke adds “vehemently.”

Just what will “beat” upon us?

Jesus described the assault in detail.

The “rains” are seasons of trouble, which will temporarily block the sunshine of peace and prosperity.

The floods” are sudden, and overwhelming personal losses or defeats, or rebellious uprisings against our authority.

The “winds” speak of the demonic “powers of the air,” the “wicked spirits…rulers of the darkness of this world,” who are set to bring down everyone who seeks and shares the Light of the world and the light that is His Word.

They “beat” upon us every time they prompt a fresh downpour, wave, or gust, of the troublesome resistance to strike the “house” of our marriage, family, ministry, or body.

Are we heedful or heedless of Jesus’ warning?

The state of our foundation will reveal this.

Are we prepared for a test of our spiritual construction, or are we procrastinating?

Are we incredulous or intrepid, disbelievingly ignoring the prophecy of Jesus, or are we fearlessly building our spiritual foundation?

Do we actually practice or only profess, all of His teachings?

Are we seeking, studying, praying, interceding, worshiping, giving, loving, suffering, forgiving, and thanking only God in all of these circumstances?

Or do we shamefully avoid the secret place, leaving Bible study to others, praying as little as possible, withholding tithes and offerings, harboring ill-will, crassly appeasing people to avoid the crosses of rejection of mankind, and complaining every time things don’t go according to our fleshly desire?

If the former is true of us, we’ve got a rock solid foundation and at the end of testing will be approved.

But, if the latter is true, and we build upon the shifting sands of the doctrines of men or of demons, then we will be found lacking and all that we have sought will be lost.

Update: January 04 2009

The testing is coming in many ways and for some is happening already, a very broad conflict may be beginning in the areas around Israel.

We are encouraged in scripture to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and of the salvation of all of Israel. Psalms 122:6

Along with those prayers we encourage you to pray for the peace and safety of your nation also.