Why Must I Be So Tested Lord?

Isaiah 48:10
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Today I was looking back at my journal entries, as I often do, to see how my growth in Christ has progressed through the years. As I read the entry from July 3, 2007 I read about the way I was struggling emotionally and feeling pretty useless. I wrote about the pressure of the world that was upon my shoulders, and about a lower neck vertebrae that was making my arms and fingers numb.

Then, as if things couldn't get any worse, I found myself under a spiritual battle from Satan's minions. Like a grape in a wine press, I was being squeezed a little more. I wrote that I prayed, and even fasted a few days to see if God would give me relief, but the pressure just kept getting worse.

I continued reading my entries from day to day, of how I struggled for almost a week as I dealt with the battle I was in. Then I read an entry on July 8th where I finally received a message from God. It was about 6:30 in the morning, when I had just finished my daily morning quiet time in the Bible. I again prayed for relief from my many troubles when my entry abruptly stopped and I wrote the Psalm below.

It was after I wrote the Psalm, that I then wrote how God reminded me of His response to Paul, when he asked for relief from the thorn in his side.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Why Must I Be So Tested. A Psalm

Isaiah 48:10
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

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Book Of Isaiah, A Miniature Bible

If you ever want to study a book of the Bible that will give you great insight from a prophetic point of view, may I suggest you study the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah wrote what many have called the miniature Bible in the Bible. Like all Scripture, Isaiah is inspired by God. However, Isaiah is unique in it's arrangement. Something I believe it was divinely inspired to be so.

Consider the following, how many books does the Bible have? Sixty-six. How many chapters does Isaiah have? Sixty-six. How many books are there in the Old Testament? Thirty-nine, and therefore twenty-seven in the New Testament. And the book of Isaiah divides exactly in that way. The first half of the book comprises thirty-nine chapters. There is a distinct division at chapter 40, so that the remaining twenty-seven chapters constitute the second half of this book like the New Testament.

The Battle Between Our Heart & Our Mind, Proverb 28:26

Today's Proverb points out that there is a battle within us all. This battle is being waged from the moment we are aware of our surroundings. It's a battle of the heart vs the mind.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26

The esteemed American poet, Edward Hirsch, wrote a poem titled,"Self Portrait". It begins with the lines,

I lived between my heart and my head, 
like a married couple who can't get along

Can Ignorance Save A Sinner? Proverb 24:12

Peter tells us that we should always be ready with a response to any question about the reason for our faith. 1 Peter 3:15. Thus the reason Paul told Timothy to be diligent in his studies to rightly divide the truth 2 Timothy 2:15, because many will come and give false answers just to satisfy the itchy ears of the lost. 2 Timothy 4:1-5. So it is up to us to be prepared to help the lost find the way.

If you desire to share the Gospel, and you should, then be sure you are prepared to answer the questions that will come your way. If you cannot properly respond to a persons questions, then don't wing it. Be honest and tell them you will find the answer and get back to them. Most heresy begins with individuals who share the Word, but do not know the Word.

Probably the most asked question I get while sharing the Gospel is,

"What about those who lived in parts of the world where the Gospel was never shared?
How can they be condemned to hell if they never knew the truth?"

To Drink Or Not To Drink; Proverb 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverb 20:1 (NKJV)

Allow me to begin my commentary by stating that it is my belief that God does condone drinking alcoholic beverages. However, as with everything in life, moderation is the key.

For those who claim God is against drinking I would like to refer you to the wedding where Jesus performed His first miracle by changing the water into wine in John 2:1-12. My point of emphasis in the account is the part where the master of the feast tasted the wine Jesus had created from water;

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" John 2:9-10

To Reach or To Repel, Proverb 15:1

Hostility seems to be a hallmark of this church age in a similar way that political correctness is to the world. It is alright for us to be righteously indignant as long as we do not sin. There is a place for righteous indignation, but God does not permit much anger because it is difficult not to sin when angry. That kind of anger is a "mark of the beast."

Frequently, hostility is simply a denial of reality. People do not have tempers born in them; angry tempers begin to be created in childhood. Parents allow tempers to burst forth, and each time it happens, it becomes easier—and the next time and the next and on and on until it is ingrained in the personality.

Every Knee Shall Bow, Proverb 14:19

Let me begin by asking that prayers be said for all those shot in Virginia, and their families.

Lord our Father, we live in an evil world, and many lost individuals who know you not can be led astray by those who lead them into false conclusions with by their lies and innuendos. Many powerful people in America today are more willing to lead this nation down a path of poverty and destruction, than to allow their political enemies a chance at bringing peace and prosperity to the lives of the people.

Spare The Rod - Spoil The Child, Proverb 13:24

We love the gospel of grace when we come to God with our sins. None of us wants justice in the sense of God giving us what we deserve. But as much as we love His mercy when applied to us, we have a difficult time applying the same mercy to others. The Scriptures tells us that if we spare the rod, we will spoil the child, but many Christians forget God's grace while administering the child's punishment in our anger at them. The closer the relationship, the more betrayed and frustrated we feel. One needs to know that the messages we send our children while punishing them is one of discipline, not anger.

Lying Lips, Proverb 12:22

Today's commentary is on Proverb 12:22.

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

What does the Bible say about lying? A lying tongue is not only something God hates, it is also something that is an abomination to Him. Proverbs 6:16-19 says: "These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him"::

1. A proud look,
2. A lying tongue,
3. Hands that shed innocent blood,
4. A heart that devises wicked plans,
5. Feet that are swift in running to evil,
6. A false witness who speaks lies,
7. And one who sows discord among brethren.”

What constitutes a lie according to the Bible? Anything that is not the truth is a lie in God's Word.

Inheriting The Wind Proverb 11:29

Troubling your own family is like tossing your money in the air and letting it blow away. A home is a place where we should all feel safe and secure. A place to get way from the troubles of the world. A place where the family can confide in each other and count on each other.

So many homes have become prisons people only wish to get out of. Everyone knows of friends or maybe even relatives who live in home environments that are not proper to raise children in. In those homes we can point to individuals who have thrown caution to the wind, by their destructive lifestyles.

Memories Of The Righteous Is Blessed Proverb 10:7

What will the epitaph on your cemetery marker say? What will those attending your funeral think or say? How many will come? Will there be great grief, or subdued relief? Will anyone reflect on your life ten years later? Will your memory be blessed or rotten?

David wept painfully, when Jonathan died (II Sam 1:17-27), for he remembered their wonderful friendship as better than the love of a woman (I Sam 18:1-4; 23:16). Dorcas was well remembered by many widows for good works and much charity (Acts 9:36-42).

Men remember Joseph as gloriously virtuous, Potiphar’s wife as an evil adulteress. They remember Tamar as a prudent virgin, Amnon as a profane dog. Men remember Paul as the greatest apostle, Demas as a weak loser. They remember Elijah and John as zealous heroes, Pilate and Agrippa as compromisers. Men remember Abraham as faithful, Lot as worldly. They remember Daniel the eunuch as strong, and strong Samson as weak.

Lady Wisdom vs Madame Folly of Proverb 9

In Today's Proverb, there are two female figures, Lady Wisdom and Madame Folly. You can accept the lesson as one that compares a wise woman of virtue as mentioned in Proverb 31 versus an immoral woman of folly who tears down her home with her actions, as in Proverb 14. Or as I will share with you today, it's a lesson of good versus evil. The right way to live versus the wrong way to live your life. Either way, it's very common for God to teach us different lessons from the same passage throughout the Scriptures. Today, my commentary will be on the contrast between the woman of wisdom, or the good, (Proverb 9:4-6) versus the woman of folly, the evil. (Proverb 9:16-18).

Odd Laws You Never Knew Could Still Exist

Local and state laws are ever changing and it's almost impossible to keep up with tens of thousands of new laws placed in the books by both our glorious leaders and ballot initiatives across this once great country. In California alone the State lawmakers passed 900 new laws that took effect in January of 2017. This after passing 930 new laws that took effect in January of 2016, and over 1000 in January 2015. So in a three year period the State of California has added 2830 new laws that we must abide by, and only God knows how many city and county laws were passed in that two year period.

Be Wise & Don't Co-sign For Others Proverb 6:1-5

One of the most idiotic things anyone can do is to co-sign for a loan. Regardless of who you are helping, the statistics prove that the co-signer ends up paying the loan off over 50% of the time. Consider the reason one would ask you to co-sign for them. They know you will pay the loan off if they cannot, and their track record proves they either don't pay off their debt, or they never had a loan before.

The Scripture I have chosen to comment on today's Proverb, are verses 1-5.

My son, if you become surety for your friend,
If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.
So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
For you have come into the hand of your friend:
Go and humble yourself;
Plead with your friend.
Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids.
Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Proverb 6:1-5

The Penalty For Sexual Immorality Proverbs 5:11

Now more than at anytime in our society, we have rejected God’s moral standard and the result is an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

With the push for women to be equal with men, and for children to explore their sexual desires with whom ever they so desire, we have now taken all segments of our societies down the dark path of sexual immorality that men have practiced for millenniums. Is it any wonder that diseases which were once on the decline are now at record levels, with women and children both being effected the most. In 2014 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the staggering results of the leftist push for the, "Love who your with" ideology from k-College in our education system.

Reported cases of three nationally notifiable STDs – chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis – have increased according to data published by the (CDC) in the 2014 STD Surveillance Report. The approximately 1.4 million reported cases of chlamydia, a rate of 456.1 cases per 100,000 population, is up 2.8 percent. Rates of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis – the most infectious stages of syphilis –and gonorrhea have both increased by 15.1 percent.

Guard your heart From Sin, Proverb 4:23

Though the Old Testament book of Proverbs contains God's wisdom for people of all age groups, it is uniquely a book for young people. I believe God's Spirit led King Solomon to write and record these wise bits of instruction to help youth avoid the sort of mistakes and moral failures that will rob them of joy and well-being as adults. Today's commentary on verse Proverb 4:23, comes from Bethany Bible Church

Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverb 4:23

God Is In Control, Proverb 3:5-6

So many times we all wish we had a gift to peer into the future. All men desire that gift so they can live their life accordingly. They want to be able to avoid the pitfalls, and get right to the great things that will happen. They desire the gift so they will make the right choice.

Well, we have that gift, it comes from God. A gift all born again Christians get when they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. It's the gift of discernment, and all we need to take advantage of that gift is to put our faith in Christ to do for us that which  He promises. Now if He gave us a gift to see the future outright, then He would not expect us to live by faith. We need to have faith that God will direct our path. Today's chosen Scripture from Proverb 3 verses 5 & 6,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverb 3:5-6

Why Read A Proverb Every Day? Proverb 1

Many have asked me why I put so much importance in the book of Proverbs.

Well, first of all, I believe that too many people lack the proper wisdom to see past all the confusion Satan has placed before their eyes. So I want to help others to see the truth by giving the tool best suited for the job. And what better tool can one use than the one the Apostle Paul tells is the Wisdom of God. 1Corinthians 1:26-30

What better way to understand the Wisdom of God, than to repeatedly read the book He gave us that fully describes His Wisdom? Don't get me wrong, you should be reading the whole Bible, but no other book fits so perfectly in the Month of our lives like the book of Proverbs.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
1 Corinthians 1:26-30

Do You Need A Spiritual Vision Test? Proverb 29:18

This proverb should be understood to mean that when there is no special revelation, people cast off moral restraints; however, when people obey God’s word, they are blessed: “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction”. This verse has tremendous theological and practical significance for us. Just as there was a direct correlation in the Old Testament between Israel’s moral condition and their knowing and submitting to God’s special revelation, so there is a direct correlation between our moral state and our knowing and submitting to God’s special revelation, the Bible.

Happy Is He Who Keeps the Law

01 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
00 Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

02 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
00 But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

03 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
00 But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

04 The king establishes the land by justice,
00 But he who receives bribes overthrows it.