Trials, Testing, and Testimony

Trials, Tests, Temptations

Trust, Triumph, Testimony (c)

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A Testimony to Testing

Trials are a part of life regardless of status.  If you're rich or poor, married or not, good job or no job or any other element, status, and position of life, we all face trials.

In our trials we are driven to find someone or something to trust, often just ourselves.  Flying as a navigator in the Air Force I trusted my crew and my instruments especially in the most harrowing times.  But, I also learned to trust myself.  In my most heated moments of stress, when my life and the lives of my crew depended on my every word, I felt a warm calmness come over me.  That calmness I have come to understand as the Holy Spirit guiding my every word, thought, and deed.  When we allow God into our lives we gain far more than the lowly confidence we can find in ourselves.  Out of that Trust, we gain Triumphs, out of our Triumphs we have Testimony to the power of God in Trusting Him with our lives.

Many years ago, there was a much greater man that felt God in his life but was most troubled.  He was troubled by what he was taught and that inner feeling he somehow felt about God.

As a boy he was whipped by his poor father because of sinfulness as determined by his father.

The family went to church but the boy was most uncomfortable with the churches preaching of hell and being damned to hell.

The family was poor but amazingly, the father would sometimes buy books for the family rather than food.  Father believed in books.

Sometimes, the boy would have to roam the streets and sing for his food but he had books to read if he dared go home.

The boy came to recognize God as supreme in his life.  Yet, he struggled with teachings of personal damnation that just did not seem to fit as he was also taught about a loving and forgiving God, as long as you purchased forgiveness.

The boy internally fought himself about the idea that everyone was inherently evil but never turned from wanting to trust God.

The boy grew and because of books in the home was able to attend college earning a Bachelor’s degree by age 19 and a Master's degree at age 22.  His father found ways to put him in law school but soon the boy put himself in a monastery.

But, the now young man continued this inner trials about God.  He inherently wanted to love God but had inner battles about God condemning His creation.  At age 24, still fighting God, he became a priest and was recognized as a scholar.  Most importantly, he found his first Bible hidden away in the monastery library.

He soon began to realize the church’s teaching did not match what he found in the Bible.  In fact, he came to the  understanding of faith and Trust in what he learned from the Bible rather than believe what he heard from the Pope.     From his important Bible studies, knowledge of Greek and Latin, he came to have great Trust and Faith in God and began writings to change the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

On October 31, 1517, timid as he was and not thinking of the consequences, Dr. Martin Luther of Saxony Germany published 95 of his concerns about Catholic teaching on the Wittenburg Chapel door in Germany.  He did this not realizing he would start a revolution, a reformation, and a splitting of the Catholic Church resulting in a new Faith and Religion we now call the Protestant Faith.  

Martin Luther's Trials became a Test that refined him for great battles with the Catholic Church rather than a temptation to disavow God.   His timidity evaporated as his self-confidence in the Lord grew in its place.  In 1521, His Trust in God carried him through being declared an outlaw by Emperor Charles V, surviving general orders to be killed on sight, a kidnapping, and excommunication from the Catholic Church.  His peace of mind led him to translating the Bible into German, and leading his followers to The Revolutionary Triumph of the 2nd millennium.  We call the results of Luther's Trust in God The Protestant Reformation.

In Luther's Trials and Trusting God, Temptations to give up on God evaporated!  Luther's early challenges grew into Trials, becoming Tests that refined him for greater Trials,  and larger opportunities in desire to change the Catholic Church.  Although his Triumph of a Reformation was not his intention, it is his Testimony in Trusting God that we too will Triumph  through our Testing in our Trials.

"Without Trials, without Testing there is no Testimony."

Thanks be to God,

and

Thanks be to God for Martin Luther

 lonnie

© lonnie coggins

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© Lonnie Coggins        source- Facebook "A Daily Thought Group"
ldcoggins@gmail.com              www.adailythought.NET

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lonnie

Publication  0066


intro
THERE IS NO TESTIMONY WITHOUT TESTING.  Click the link for the story of one man who changed the world in trying to just change a church. Please share the message on your Fb page as you like, and if you like, click the FB 'Follow' button to have notifications of these publications.  For other messages like this, visit my FB page, or on FB visit-"A Daily Thought Group".

http://lonnieadailythought.blogspot.com/2012/10/trials-testing-and-testimony.html

Seeking the Kingdom, Part 1 of 7 Repent

Seeking the Kingdom,   Part 1 of  7

       Jesus Speaks to Us

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Part 1-  Repent

of   Seven elements in Seeking the Kingdom:

Matthew 4:1 1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:17 NIV

and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Like it or not, it's The First Command  from Jesus

It seems to be a condition of living life that too often we are selfish, arrogant, and self-serving at the expense of others.  It is called sin.   It has been this way since God created mankind.   Why? 

Because God gives us choices in our everyday behavior. And, even when we do not realize it, we too often we make sinful choices losing friends while creating barriers.  For that barrier to be removed, to regain friendship we have to sincerely apologize for our behavior with a promise to change our behavior.  The same is true with God.

For all but three years of Jesus' adult life, He knew of His special place in the world, and what He would face.  The big questions for Jesus during those years and during those 40 days in the wilderness was, "How do I start my ministry.  How do I impress upon God's people the His desire for them to have a Righteous Relationship with Him, and what is the single most important message I can impress on them to begin this new Relationship." 

Making final decisions on this is what His desert experience was all about!  Staying true to God's ways, Trusting Our Father, knowing God's will, accepting the guidance of the Spirit at His baptism, and having the experience of mankind, Jesus KNEW the most important message for our needs on this earth. He knew it was not the magic of giving bread from stones or flying from a high place that Righteously would draw people to Him.  People's greater need was much more than magic shows. 

Instead, the brilliant mind of Jesus had a revolutionary new concept of God's Kingdom to be imprinted on mankind, a new behavior toward God, and a New Covenant/Promise to be accomplished.  To do this, Jesus was led to one most important word to begin His ministry.  A word that would standout in peoples minds to turn people  to a new promise to create and sustain God's Kingdom in mankind.  That one word became Jesus' first  command to begin mankind's new Relationship with God, it was and still is,  "Repent!"

In our lives, saying your sorry to someone because you did them wrong is sometimes so very hard.  But saying, "I am sorry" is just half the equation.  For the "sorry" to be real, behavior must change to complete the equation.  When we tell God, "I am sorry for my selfish behavior" that is great.  But for real meaning, our behavior must change.  Repent means to turn around and go a different direction.  In repentance, behavior change is just as or more important than the "I'm sorry."  Without the change, without a new direction in our behavior, the words mean nothing.  As it is with friends, so to, it is with God.

Repentance is the fundamental foundation of our relationship with God creating the most important part our behavior for a Righteous Godly relationship.  Without repentance toward God, there cannot be in a Right Relationship (righteousness) with Him.  God loves us and wants that relationship with us, but we are required to be repentant in our Righteousness before Him.  When we are repentant toward God acknowledging our sin, when we accept Jesus as Lord, and we accept the Holy Spirit as our guide in life, then and only then does a Righteous relationship with God begin.

Without repentance, there can be no real love for God or for anyone else.  Without repentance there can be no Righteous Relationship with God,  without repentance there is no Peace, no Hope, no Christ, no abundant mercy on our souls, and eventually, no Holy Spirit.   Without repentance toward God, we continue to become more arrogant, selfish, self-centered, and so sinful we eventually cast off the Holy Spirit.   And then, in disavowing the need of the Holy Spirit, relying only on ourselves, we die to God and He no longer knows us.

With repentance, with our going a different direction, we change the future, our future.  It is only after we repent of creating hurt and we say we are humbly sorry for our behavior that we have a chance to mend fences, remake friendships, and reestablish relationships.  This is true with our friends and the absolute truth with God.  A friend might not grant forgiveness, but God already has forgiven us through His Son's death on the cross.  

To begin or to restore our full Righteous Relationship with God, our creator, all we have to do is:
in humility,
1-  change our lives through giving up our selfish arrogance and contented self-righteousness,
2-  ask God for forgiveness, and
3-  humbly Repent of our Sin.

But, this is just the beginning, with repentance there is new hope in living life in God's will.  This begins with Loving God "with all your heart".

In repentance, learning the love of God and in learning to love God we acquire greater freedom through our Righteous Relationship with Him.  In our repentant walk with God and in this new freedom to love, we open ourselves to His abundant blessings and gifts.   

Let go of self,   repent,   Love God,

and let God bless you abundantly.  

Thanks be to God

© Lonnie Coggins

2-   Love God-

3-   Love Others

Matthew 22:34-40 NKJV

The Greatest Commandment

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

4-  "Hunger and thirst" 

          for a Righteous relationship with God

Matthew 5:6 NIV   

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Jesus Sets the Example for Us

5    Live in humility toward God
Matthew 11:
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.


6-   Pray

Matthew 5:44 NIV

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 14:23 NIV

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

• Matthew 26:36 NIV

  [Gethsemane] Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
  
  
  Matthew 26:41 NIV
  "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
  
  
  

  7-   Seek the Wisdom of the Bible through the Jesus

  Matthew 13:54 NIV

  Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.

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You can print the message including this sharing message only for your friends and for non-profit.  You will have to copy and paste the message to a word processing document.   After you copy and paste add the following at the end of the message:

© Lonnie Coggins

ldcoggins@gmail.com

If you desire to use any of these messages in a For-Profit manner you must contact me (email) for permission.  Typically, I will most likely give permission.

Heavenly Threats Because of Earthly Success Part 2

Heavenly Threats Because of Earthly Success
Part 2

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The Rich Young Man

Matthew 19:16-29pp -- Mk 10:17-30; Lk 18:18-30

 See scripture below.

We must be careful with our earthly successes.  

We just may think we made it happen.
It can threaten our entrance into the Kingdom.
-----

For Part 1 Click Here
   (Part 1- An earthly success story causing misuse of authority)

Part 2:

When we are successful, we can easily come to think we are bigger than we are.  Jesus being the perfect leader never had to enforce His authority.  Jesus knew that when a leader has to exercise their authority then respect for the leader begins to diminish.  Earning respect in your leadership role is a most valuable aspect of your leadership.

The Rich Young Man is an image of a self-deluded leader we have to be careful that we do not fall into.  We can see him riding in on a big beautiful horse to see Jesus, perhaps with some followers (people often follow the money).  He knew Jesus had authority or he would not have come.  The rich man already had authority because of money and the status it brings, and seemed to want what Jesus had.  But, he abused his status.  He valued his money, his status, his wealth, and popularity more than he wanted the authority of the Word of God in his life.

Similarly the lieutenant of Part-1 had authority and was overzealous in using it.  In the end, both the rich young man and the lieutenant failed in the success that God had given them in His blessings for them.  One thought more of wealth and the other thought too much of His position to be the humble leader Jesus wants us to be.

In Matthew 5 our leader Jesus teaches us the traits of a follower of Jesus, and as a leader for Jesus.  Jesus never asked us to bow to him, salute him, say "yes Sir", or "no Sir".  He just wants us to walk with Him, believe in Him, love Him, and do His father's Will as He taught.  As our leader, He will even carry us through our needs and see that our needs are fulfilled (Footprints in the Sand).

Jesus' leadership style works for us even today.   He always gave, taught, and walked the perfect example, especially in being a leader.  To be a leader for Christ, we must first take the yoke of humility….   Equally, humility can help us lead in our everyday jobs.  Being humble as Jesus does not mean we have to be a doormat.  Leading with humility allows you to help the people you lead achieve the goals you give them.  Jesus did this in his job, why should we think we should differently in our everyday job.  Be not only humble (meek) but also bold for Jesus, just as Jesus was bold for God (click:  Meekness and Boldness).

Finally,

Consider Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa,

Martin Luther the founder of the Reformation, and

most especially Jesus.

In setting a great example for us to follow, all of these leaders attained their leadership roles more through respect than through any authority given them.  The fact is, few of them were ever give great positions of authority, they became great leaders through being respected for what they represented.

Give a person money or authority and often 
       they think they are king,

but it hardly lasts for even a generation because

“kings and kingdoms will all pass away",

but

a person, especially a leader in great humility lives in the lives of others for the ages.

Thanks Be to God

Lonnie

A video:
Click here:  "kings and kingdoms will all pass away".
The same by the Gaither Vocal Band:

       "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There is something about that Name"

Today's Scripture

The Rich Young Ruler

19:16-29pp -- Mk 10:17-30; Lk 18:18-30

16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,
19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' "
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

(c) Lonnie

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You can print the message including this sharing message only for your friends and for non-profit.  You will have to copy and paste the message to a word processing document.   After you copy and paste add the following at the end of the message:

© Lonnie Coggins

ldcoggins@gmail.com

If you desire to use any of these messages in a For-Profit manner you must contact me (email) for permission.  Typically, I will most likely give permission.

Seeking the Kingdom, Introduction

Seeking the Kingdom,    Introduction

Matthew 6:33  

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

In the times of Jesus, the idea of , the phrase of, the thought of the "Kingdom of God" was a totally new concept.  Nowhere in the Old Testament is the phrase "Kingdom of God" used.  Further, the word Kingdom and God are found in the same verse only about 15 times.  But, they were familiar with talking and hearing about God, kingdom and Israel in the same sentence. In Exodus 19:6, God orders Moses to tell the Hebrews, " 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."   The Jews of Jesus were familiar with the Kingdom in reference to Israel but not in reference to God.

Therefore, we see the Master Teacher taking words that the Jews are familiar with and used in an entirely new way.   Jesus was/is telling the people of the ages, not just the Jews of Jesus, what is fundamental, primary, and first in living life.   It might not be what we want to do, but as Christians, this what we are born to do, what we should live to do, and simply what we must do- seek God's Kingdom.

Before we "Seek first the Kingdom of God..." we must understand what the Kingdom of God is.  This is explored in the writing, "Where is the Kingdom?".  I encourage you to click and read this as it will help you understand the answer Jesus gives us. But, it is summarized here-- where ever the will of God is done, thereto is the Kingdom of God.  To be in God's Kingdom, we must be in His Will; to be in His will, we must know His Will;  to know His will, we must seek His Will; and thankfully, Jesus taught us how to do this.  He gave us the plan, the steps, the path to know God's will for our lives.  But, He not only gives us the plan, as He had to, he lived the plan.  Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, the King of creation, Set the Perfect Example of being in the Will of God.

Therefore, we learn how to seek the Kingdom from two sources, the first source is through the commands of Jesus recorded in the Gospels, the second is the observed behaviors of Jesus as described in the Gospels.

The words, lessons, and commands of Jesus leads us to the Kingdom.  Through understanding  and following the examples of Jesus' behaviors, herein we find the keys to doing the will of God in our life and thus, being in the Kingdom.

In the next couple of months, seven elements will be discussed about Seeking the Kingdom.  All seven elements come from the words and behaviors of Jesus.  He was the Master of Communications.  We just have to study, listen, and respond to what Jesus tells us God wants for us to be in His Kingdom.

Summary:   Seven Elements in Seeking the Kingdom:


Jesus Speaks to Us


1-  Repent

Matthew 3:2 NIV

and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Part 1:  Click Here:   Seeking the Kingdom Part 1

2-   Love God

3-   Love Others

Matthew 22:34-40 NKJV

The Greatest Commandment

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

4-  "Hunger and thirst" 
          for a Righteous Relationship with God

Matthew 5:6 NIV   

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Jesus Sets the Example for Us


5    Live in humility toward God
Matthew 11:
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.


6-   Pray

Matthew 5:44 NIV

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 14:23 NIV

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

• Matthew 26:36 NIV

  [Gethsemane] Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
  
  
  Matthew 26:41 NIV
  "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
  
  
  

  7-   Seek the Wisdom of the Bible through the Jesus

  Matthew 13:54 NIV

  Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.

Thanks Be to God

(c) Lonnie Coggins

10 Truths about Mountains in our Lives

10 Truths about Mountains in our Lives:

                                                                                Return to Main Menu

1. Mountains in our Lives, pray as we may, very often are slow to go away or might not ever disappear.  In our mountains, we find strength.
2. Sometimes, God does allow mountains in our path, in doing so He Strengthens us and Shows us His Power in our lives.
3. Our mountains keep us humble.  A behavior desired from God.
4. Jesus gave us the example on dealing with mountains in our lives, pray and be obedient.
5. Jesus had mountains, He never ran away and always trusted in God’s will.  Likewise, God does not want us to run away,
6. God Desires us to trust in Him; When we trust, He gives us Strength to climb.
7. Many of our mountains are those of our on creation.  Be careful, those can be slippery.
8. Do not confuse Mountains with Opportunities.  Many times Mountains are opportunities for us to Glorify God.
9. The Best way to scale a mountain is to pray for the first step, then move out of our cone of comfort... in faith.
10. God’s desire for us is not to sit and pout, His desire for us is for to just,  ...Climb!  When we climb according to God’s will, mountains build our strength  and faith in God.

Thanks be to God

(c) lonnie

For more about Mountains in our Lives click here:

     Mountains in our Lives

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You can print the message including this sharing message only for your friends and for non-profit.  You will have to copy and paste the message to a word processing document.   After you copy and paste add the following at the end of the message:

© Lonnie Coggins

ldcoggins@gmail.com

If you desire to use any of these messages in a For-Profit manner you must contact me (email) for permission.  Typically, I will most likely give permission.