Date: Thursday, June 05, 2014
Today's Chapters: Job 25-30
Message Title: Pass That Test

The word integrity means, the unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; it's a person who is moral, uncorrupt, and honest, in mind and body. When we are facing trials, our integrity is often put to the test, and while the devil is the ring leader, quite often friends and family are the ones he uses to test us. It is times like these when we need to stay true to who we are, and not let anyone bring us to a place where we would lose our integrity. “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24.

Remember when the devil challenged God to test Job's integrity? As Job hears one criticism after another and the constant reckoning of his friends trying to get him to come clean of sins he did not commit, he draws one conclusion, he was not about to lose his integrity for them. “As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” - Job 27:2-6.

When we are put to the test, quite often our judgment is impaired, we get caught up in our emotions, and can make some bad decisions because we just want it all the end. I admit that I have made some foolish decisions over the years because of that reason, only to find out that it caused more problems. Thank God, that He does not leave us nor forsake us, even if we have lost our integrity for a time. I believe that He sees the suffering we go through as punishment enough because once we find out that we had made such a foolish decision, we quickly look to God to find out how to get out of the mess. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - Job 4:8-10.

Job continues his parable, he reminisces about all that he had before he was afflicted. “Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;” - Job 29:2-5.

When we are being afflicted, quite often, we do reflect on the things that we had, and it's good to remember all that God has done for us. We also must remember that all things work for good, everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly times in our lives are used to grow and strengthen us in our walk with God. It also prepares us to be able to help others who are now facing similar trials. Tragedies happen that we cannot explain, in an instant we can lose everything, but that is when God really is doing His best work in us. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James 1:12.

Job was just about out of words, there was not one thing he could say that would convince his friends that he was not hiding some wicked sin that caused all the tribulation he was facing. He gets a little depressed that his friends are treating him so badly. . “But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction. They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper. When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.” - Job 30:1,10-13,26.

Nothing lasts forever except eternal life, but as the saying goes, “When one door closes another one opens.” We will not face affliction forever, it does not last, that is unless we want it to last. Only we have the power to let our affliction control us or to take control of our affliction. Remember, God cannot help us unless we are willing to help ourselves. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” - Revelation 3:20,21.

As we walk with God it will teach us that sometimes God allows us to face affliction for no wrong that we have done. It teaches us that during times like these we do not have to lose our morals to get through them, we have the Spirit of God in us and and He will help us through them as long as we look to Him. “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” - 2 Thessalonians 2:14-17.

Today's Prayer: God, I know that there have been times that I have lost my integrity because I made decisions based on my impaired judgment. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, and thank You for showing me how to find my integrity. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to make the right decisions, let me not be overcome by emotions due to my impaired judgment. Help me to get through all my struggles, with faith, courage, and Your strength. I know that as long as I keep looking to You, I will receive the crown. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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