The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.
Proverbs 17:3
Remember the FAITH foundation Bible story where God tested Abraham ?
Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”
Genesis 22
God always tests His people, those who claim to believe in Him. Most times we are not aware we are bring tested as I was unaware at the time, just struggling to survive.
I want to share my testimony of such a test in my life.
Back many moons ago when I had returned from backpacking across Europe and ending up on Kibbutz Erez in Israel. After eight month on the road, the money finally ran out.
I was stranded for days at an airport in Europe with an open return ticket and where late summer flights back to the US were always overbooked. Awaiting my flight back to Miami a seat opened up for New York City and I got on board broke.
My plan was to start anew in the Big Apple but I got spooked at Kennedy by a couple fleeing the Son of Sam carnage going at the time.
So I called my mother in Miami who didn't have much money and asked for her to help rescue me from this strange place full of worms.
I finally got to Miami on empty, and without income and a job, having to start from the bottom all over again. No car, no money found a bicycle and got a low paying job cooking at a Holiday Inn at $3:50 and hour, 1977 wages.
Keeping my eyes open for a better paying job, not long after I saw an ad in the Miami Herald from Northrup Corp who were looking to hire 43151C's to go over to Saudi Arabia to train Saudi Air Force personnel in Jeddah in the desert west of the country.
That ad perked me up because that was my job in the Air Force, the MIC were looking for someone like me and they paid well, very well indeed.
The pre-hire interview at a Homestead hotel chain went well, and the post interview made me feel like a prince in waiting, and the made it official, they hired me.
They flew me out to Culver City, California on their dime. WOW!
Because I had been to Israel not long before, the interviewer told me I would have to get a new passport.
I was told how much they would be paying me and all the benefits that come with overseas work as well as lots of thick Health & Beni books to read.
After every six months I could fly off to a European destination of my choice for R & R. That kind of stuff excited me as I thought on my lowly 'bicycle to work life' back in Miami.
My thought was;
Life is good and I had finally arrived, $$$.
When I got back to Miami I gave some serious thought and prayers to this big move.
I couldn't do it, I could not train Israel's enemies.
Israel was a serious biblical awakening for me, an eye opener, and I saw the need to stand and not compromise.
The bottom line, many Christians are given the gift of 'opened eyes' by God and are soon after tested by Him.
Sadly, tragically too many compromise on the tempting test and are diluted. That is much of the Church and Christians in America today.
If I had fallen into the good life, $, snare I would not be where I am today.
My eyes are still opened and I thank Jesus daily for keeping me and leading me away from all the traps and snares which have taken so many down.
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9
But the Lord tests hearts.
Proverbs 17:3
Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Who are we pleasing, self or God ?
Remember the FAITH foundation Bible story where God tested Abraham ?
Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”
Genesis 22
God always tests His people, those who claim to believe in Him. Most times we are not aware we are bring tested as I was unaware at the time, just struggling to survive.
I want to share my testimony of such a test in my life.
Back many moons ago when I had returned from backpacking across Europe and ending up on Kibbutz Erez in Israel. After eight month on the road, the money finally ran out.
I was stranded for days at an airport in Europe with an open return ticket and where late summer flights back to the US were always overbooked. Awaiting my flight back to Miami a seat opened up for New York City and I got on board broke.
My plan was to start anew in the Big Apple but I got spooked at Kennedy by a couple fleeing the Son of Sam carnage going at the time.
So I called my mother in Miami who didn't have much money and asked for her to help rescue me from this strange place full of worms.
I finally got to Miami on empty, and without income and a job, having to start from the bottom all over again. No car, no money found a bicycle and got a low paying job cooking at a Holiday Inn at $3:50 and hour, 1977 wages.
Keeping my eyes open for a better paying job, not long after I saw an ad in the Miami Herald from Northrup Corp who were looking to hire 43151C's to go over to Saudi Arabia to train Saudi Air Force personnel in Jeddah in the desert west of the country.
The pre-hire interview at a Homestead hotel chain went well, and the post interview made me feel like a prince in waiting, and the made it official, they hired me.
They flew me out to Culver City, California on their dime. WOW!
Because I had been to Israel not long before, the interviewer told me I would have to get a new passport.
I was told how much they would be paying me and all the benefits that come with overseas work as well as lots of thick Health & Beni books to read.
After every six months I could fly off to a European destination of my choice for R & R. That kind of stuff excited me as I thought on my lowly 'bicycle to work life' back in Miami.
My thought was;
Life is good and I had finally arrived, $$$.
When I got back to Miami I gave some serious thought and prayers to this big move.
I couldn't do it, I could not train Israel's enemies.
Israel was a serious biblical awakening for me, an eye opener, and I saw the need to stand and not compromise.
Looking back, Northrop no longer exists and neither does the airline they flew me out to LAX on, National, but I'm still around.
The bottom line, many Christians are given the gift of 'opened eyes' by God and are soon after tested by Him.
Sadly, tragically too many compromise on the tempting test and are diluted. That is much of the Church and Christians in America today.
If I had fallen into the good life, $, snare I would not be where I am today.
My eyes are still opened and I thank Jesus daily for keeping me and leading me away from all the traps and snares which have taken so many down.
~~~
Most Christians in America today are disciples of ;
Gehazi
....and his greedy ways. They would do the same thing, and tell everyone;
God blessed my greedy little heart.
~~~
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9
Message - Always stand up boldly (not like the army of wimps) for what you believe in or you are a shallow hypocrite of which the world is already so flooded with.
2 comments:
PRAISE GOD FOR DELIVERING YOU MARCEL !!
THE WORLD AND EVEN THE PROFESSING "CHURCH" WILL ALWAYS APPROVE YOU FOR CHOOSING MAMMON. IT WILL ALSO REJECT YOU FOR NOT CHOOSING IT !!
BUT, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SERVE GOD & MAMMON. IT CAN NOT BE DONE.
OUR LORD JESUS DID NOT SERVE MAMMON AND NEITHER DO WE, HIS+ DISCIPLES !
Bless you Marcel. We're glad you are where you are!
Samson7able <(((><
Amen Samson7able,
As usual to the point and a great comment !!!
This is the big reason why the churches are so dead and reflect the world instead of Jesus.
Like you said, we will always be looked down upon by mammon church.
It's a badge of honor as the blind deaf and dumb chase after the popular and wealthy Benny Hinn's and the rest of the in it for profit, book writers, always writing another book$$$, and stars of the church,false prophets, false teachers & hireling$.
Just as apostate Israel looked down on everyone God sent including His Son, Messiah Jesus we get the same treatment which is a badge of honor.
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