Spiritual tests are the topic, today, and there is more on how believers are exalted by GOD. The “Yahoo! Answers” Top Contributor using the ID “Mysterious” (Level 7 with 74,343 points, a member since August 17, 2012) posted the following originally asked at Yahoo Answers Canada:
Are your tests more difficult if you are spiritually strong?
Why would God punish those who are strong?
Additional Details
Puffin: Dito, really I do get it.
THE BATTLE AXE: The Head And Not The Tail? (10/21/2013)—All believers are cautioned that suffering is a common experience for those following Christ (see 2nd Timothy 3: 1-12, 1st Peter 4: 12-19 and Titus 2: 11-13, KJV). Even so, believers in Christ are the head, and not the tail. Men may become unfit for sacred service through hardships, indebtedness, the loss of financial stability, and poverty. Similarly, men become unfit to fulfill their divine anointing through avarice, covetousness, gluttony, greediness, stinginess, and wastefulness. Emotional and psychological challenges and obstacles that arise may become permanently implanted totally disrupting the believer’s balance, clarity, discernment, spiritual focus, and peace of mind. A believer, who is visible, is provided with every necessary tool to successfully demonstrate the active presence of unseen Spirit. As priests and kings, believers may serve as stewards and those who must manage money; however, the tool of money is to ensure political and social independence (we say, religious liberty), rather than ease, ostentation, pretension and self-indulgence. More than this, money permits giving and other recognizable material expressions of concern, affection and respect (see Deuteronomy 28: 1-14, Romans 6: 16-22, Philippians 4: 11-13, KJV).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16: 10-15, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013); The Spirit is Willing (10/20/2012); Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Blessings, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012); Struggling? (05/11/2012); Through Much Tribulation (05/12/2012)
“Mysterious”, your question calls forth a full blown book, however, here are a few points many Christian believers will find useful:
Tests (we say, temptation) are not punishments. Correctly understood, tests are (1) assessments to clarify and show us our needs, and the genuine level of our commitment as well as to further draw created beings and living creatures to GOD, (2) demonstrations and displays of divine power from the spirit content that resides in those serving as agents of GOD, (3) events to reveal divine anointing and sacred presence, and (4) trials wherein a person must exercise spirit lessons, powers, and skills in order to fully internalize them, and make them continuous and permanent aspects in their living.
As with final judgment, temptations to examine and edify believers are not focused only upon such features as attitudes, behavior, conduct, endurance, patience, and stamina so much as upon their spirit substance. Strength of spirit is paramount in place of force, physical prowess, and vigor. Inseparable aspects of divine person should appear such as faith, forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, joy, longsuffering, righteousness, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, many times the tests a believer endures are a source for their growth and strength that otherwise would not come into their experience. They acquire insights, skills, and understandings that fit them for greater accomplishments, and for higher levels of ministry to others. The test is needed to make them strong.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Grow in grace
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
A promise from GOD to prosper his people is in view, today, along with more on angel visitations. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Blood” (Level 5 with 5,257 points, a member since June 29, 2013) posted the following originally asked on Yahoo Answers Canada:
What do you think of God saying that he will make you the head and not the tail above and not beneath?
THE BATTLE AXE: A Visit from an Angel? (10/20/2013)—Throughout the holy writings, where angels function as spokespersons from GOD (we say, prophets), even though they are sent to a single person or small group their message is also for all created beings and living creatures (specially mankind), and may serve as explanations for both past and future events. Angels proclaim truths pertinent to divine order and that relate to the entire cosmos, the universe, and all eternity. For this reason, their appearance and impact may be terrible (we say, awesome, fearful). A clear break is made in ones usual experience through flesh (e.g., seeing, hearing, tasting, etc.); and ones understanding must go forward relying upon spiritual discernment (i.e., using the things given by GOD to understand other things also given by GOD). Miracles, visions, and visitations seem to no longer occur, today, because these events do little to increase faith, and men are often caused to doubt, and experience spiritual confusion. GOD does not seek to confuse mankind, or make simple things complex and too high. Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, men are being continually prepared to have access and entry into the celestial presence. Unsanctioned angel visitations that do not serve the Gospel, and conform to the Scriptures, should be taken as from the Deceiver, and the “kiss of death” for those who are ignorant, reprobate, superstitious and unregenerate. See Daniel 9: 20-22, Daniel 10: 1-21, Revelation 22: 1-9, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12: 27-32, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Therefore there Was Trust (01/07/2013); When Does Gossip Become Sin? (01/08/2013); The Firstborn, Higher Than Kings? (12/18/2012); On See Jesus Serve The Poor (12/03/2012); Hero or Zero? (12/04/2012); The Meek Will Inherit (10/16/2012); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)
“Blood”, hoping to clarify some important points in Christian belief, I am willing to share the following:
(1.) Many repeatedly miss the truth that the promises of GOD recorded in the holy writings are “on condition.” These truths are directed to those accepting place as believers and those in covenant. The fulfillment of blessing that comes by obedience is proclaimed in the same event as the execution of curses for disobedience, we say, “the truth is a two-edged sword” (see Deuteronomy 11: 26-28, KJV).
(2.) Many repeatedly miss the truth that the promises of GOD recorded in the holy writings speak to salvation and necessary spiritual gifts, not material things, authority and control, or political and social influence (we say, power). The divine gifts of Spirit bestowed upon believers in Jesus Christ through baptism, in fact, are inseparable aspects of divine person. Included are faith, holiness, gratitude, joy, longsuffering, love, truthfulness, wisdom and wrath against sin. Worldly boasting, sensationalism, showing off, and self-promotion have no place.
(3.) Christian believers are all equipped and instructed to simple lives that may appear as poverty to those not anchored by the imparted, indwelling Spirit that resides in the Savior. Existing in the earth as “new creatures,” believers understand “prosperity” is not only living with luxuries and wealth. Simply put: It is not how much you have, it is how much you enjoy what you have; and the key to enjoying much is sharing much, though it be a little.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) The right relationship with GOD in Christ centers in the truth of sacrifice, the surrender of ones goods, ones life, and ones will to divine purpose. Affliction and hardship are to be endured as incidental, minor and secondary. The confused, the envious, weaklings, and even those who know themselves already damned, repeatedly attack and presume upon the true people of GOD. Nonetheless, faithful believers are exalted and triumph over death, over Satan, and over sin. See Hebrews 10: 26-36, KJV.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Grow in grace
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
