When God takes us through tests, it’s not so He would know if we would pass or fail. He’s omniscient. He already knows. And neither are the tests given by Him designed to punish us. On the contrary, they are designed to refine us, humble us, strengthen us, build us, and to prepare us. Through the process of tests, we learn who we are, where we are, and where we need to be. Tests prove what’s in our hearts. (Deuteronomy 8:2) Through our tests, like Abraham, they prepare us for a magnificent promise.

Memory Points:
Temptations = Are birth out of our own desires and are used as tools of Satan to distract and separate us away from God. (James 1:13-15; 1 Peter 5:8)

Tests = Are from God and are designed to promote and elevate us, eventually producing the image of Christ in us and through us. (Genesis 22; Romans 8:29)

Omniscient = The all-knowing, all-wise, all-seeing God… with our best interest at heart.

“Preparing You To Live Victorious!”

Rickey E. Macklin

You’re trying to BE relevant by fitting in with the mood of the crowd and the next flow of our culture. So, you do what they do, go where they go, listen to what they listen to, wear what they wear, and talk their lingo. In many cases, to be accepted and to have significance – somehow forgetting that, as a believer, our significance is in Christ.

In the book of Proverbs Chapter 6, the Bible speaks of six things the LORD hates.  And then it says, “yea, seven are an abomination unto him.”

For the sake of time, I just want to deal with one of them.  It can be found in the b-clause of verse 18 of Proverbs chapter 6.

“…feet that be swift in running to mischief.”

I remember running track years ago when I considered myself to be the fastest runner around – at about 12 years old (smile).  Until of course, with all the energy I exerted, there was nothing I could do to keep up with two guys who finished first and second in a track meet.   It was not long after that when I realized that being a runner wasn’t my gift in life.

I was running to win a prize.  However, briefly, in today’s study, I want to address a different kind of runner.  The runner who runs hastily to spread gossip and mischief.  You may ask what could Rickey possibly be talking about this time?

Well, I want to address the runner who has to be the first to spread rumors about an affair; the first to facebook a death or a crime; the first to tweet or Instagram an accident; or the first to text bad news.  The sad part is MOST of the time they get the facts wrong anyway.  Do you know this runner?  Does he or she live close to you?  Could the runner be in your house or how about in your own body?

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”  (Charles Spurgeon)

I thank God for USPS, UPS, and FedEx too – but a FedEx gossipper should not be your job title when it comes to spreading the negative news!

Some of you are like eager retailers that can’t wait until the bell rings to start a Hot Sale!  For you, time is money so you can’t afford to be the second one to bear the bad news.

Where does this stuff come from but from a wicked heart.  How can you celebrate someone’s misfortune, someone’s job loss, someone’s young daughter’s pregnancy, someone’s young son being locked away, or someone’s failed marriage?  How could you?  You say, I’m not celebrating it – I’m just carrying the news.  Well, there are scriptures for what you’re doing.  It’s called gossiping, slandering, reviling, backbiting, or being a talebearer.   I pray that you take a moment to do a bit of inventory in your life and see if the shoe fits.  If it doesn’t, then that’s good.  However, if it does, let’s pray and ask God to change our hearts.  The truth is you have enough negative stuff about your own life that you need God to clean up than to focus all of your attention on someone else’s.

If the shoe fits, here’s an assignment for you.  Start practicing this as soon as you can and become the type of person that’s swift to carry the good news.

• Be the first to encourage someone after a really tough blow in life. 
• Be the first to encourage the cashier who’s ready to cuss out the next customer.
• Be the first to bless someone financially who’s down to their last dollar. 
• Be the first to tell someone about the love God. 
• Be the first to tell someone that no matter what you’re going through in life, Jesus wants to save and deliver you.  He wants to make your life whole and complete.  He wants to give you unspeakable joy.

So, learn to be this type of runner – the one that’s swift to carry good news and never to carry negativity.

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Psalm 141:3  Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Ephesians 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Proverbs 10:18  He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

“Preparing You To Live Victorious!”

Rickey E. Macklin

Guest Blogger:  Imani Payne

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” –Proverbs 22:1

Have you ever worked for a company that told you to treat it as if it were your very own?  They may require you to take off your name tag or uniform shirt when you leave the facility.  If you use social media and put your job information on Facebook, they may ask that you not post anything that the company would not approve of.  They tell you that you’re the face of the company. You are a brand ambassador, a walking advertisement, and a point of contact outside of your work shift.

When a KFC worker’s video went viral of them dancing behind the counter and dropping a bun on the floor, people did not see a couple of high school teens goofing off at work. People saw what KFC represented as a company.  This holds true for believers in Christ too.  As we Christians go out into the world, although we are in the world, we cannot be of the world. In the book of Romans chapter 12 verse 2, the Apostle Paul said, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  

When we look like Jesus in His likeness and image, we stand out in the world. It becomes clear to others that we don’t “belong” in certain environments.  Peers going to clubs, happy hours, or bars should not feel comfortable inviting us to come along. These people should not feel comfortable cursing or gossiping around us either. The only way they will is if we create an environment comfortable enough for them to do these things.

“When God is calling you to something, He is also calling you away from something.” –Cornelius Lindsey

As the scripture says, I also want to encourage you to be the light and salt of the earth.  Some people may only get one opportunity to encounter Jesus.  Let God place you in the right place at the right time. You are to be an example of what the Kingdom of God is all about. You are a partner with Christ. You are seated with Him in heavenly places. You are a royal priesthood. You are an heir to the throne of Grace.  And believe it or not, people are looking up to you. Do not lose your witness by acting of this world.  Yes, our reputation belongs to God, but let’s not tarnish it by acting foolishly.

“I like your Christ. But I don’t like your Christians.” –Mahatma Gandhi

 The Grannie Test is a Millennial rule.  Before you post a comment, picture, or video online, think about if it would be appropriate to show with an elder. If your answer is maybe, then that means NO!

As believers, we are brand ambassadors for Christ Jesus in the physical realm.  We must represent Him well.  We are called to win souls for Jesus. So be mindful of your actions, words, and of course social media.

-Imani

Check Imani out @ Running errands for GOD 

By Elder Charles Ellerbe

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

In this day and age, when it seems that “everything goes,” you may feel that you are standing alone for the righteousness of God. Don’t despair “little flock;” for although it may seem the number is growing smaller, God has others who “have not bowed” to the “god of this world.” They have not given over to popular public opinion, but are living their life according to the word of God. Broad is the gate that leads to destruction, and unfortunately, there will be many that will choose that way. On “Broadway” a person can do anything their flesh desires – fearing no accountability – but declaring freedom to do as they wish. Covering their sins under the flag of “diversity” and “freedom of choice,” they justify the depravities of life, and bring themselves one step closer to being afflicted with a “reprobate mind.” Nothing seems to shame them, and when there is protest against their actions, claims of bigotry and suppressing freedom resound through the news media.

But thank God the narrow gate is opened as well! There will be fewer numbers to travel “Straight Street,” but those that choose to follow this route will reach their destination to the city of “New Jerusalem!” Don’t turn unless God says, “Turn;” don’t stop unless God says, “Stop.” Let the Holy Ghost serve as your personal GPS. And when He doesn’t say anything at all – keep straight! God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him! So seek the Lord while He may be found; knock and it shall be opened to you; ask, and it shall be given you! There are times when the world will say, “You are so narrow-minded!” Tell them, “Thank you!” You’re on the right track!

“Fear not little flock!! There may be some dark days ahead, where good manners have gone the way of modesty, and have been replaced with profanity-laced language under the guise of “keeping it real,” and lascivious behavior. There are people who choose to live by the slogan, “What’s done in Vegas stays in Vegas!” But one day, those things “done in Vegas,” will be made known. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Don’t be dismayed! God will bring you through every roadblock set up by the enemy to stop you from reaching your destination. The more you stand for the truth, the more you may find yourself in the minority. But fear not little flock; it is your Father’s pleasure, and desire, that you will have the kingdom!

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

Charles Ellerbe Ministries

Standing up for what’s right, especially in the times we are in, is not going to be easy. The enemy has intentionally blurred the line between right and wrong (1 Timothy 4:1) (2 Peter 2:1-2). Deception is pervasive, especially in the ministry.  It has become normal to see saints defending the world and not defending each other.  Listen, a kingdom divided cannot stand, but together we are a force to be reckoned with.  Clearly, the plumbline (standard for right and wrong) needs to be re-established in the house of God  (Amos 7:7-8).

As the Apostle Paul stated, we are to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3-4).  We must stand for what is right and on the integrity of God’s word – even when it’s not popular.  We are not here to judge the world.  According to the Word of God, the sin of the world is the rejection of Christ. (John 3:18).  However, if the Holy Spirit places something on your heart to say, you must say it.   It may be that word released from your mouth that God uses to remove the blinders (2 Corinthians 4:4).

It saddens me to see how so many people bullet point, eisegete and mishandle the word of God in their discussions to validate their own fleshy desires – especially on social media.  You cannot simply impose your OWN interpretations on the text and then the text means what you want it to. You’ve done no contextualization and no thorough background on the text.  Never forget that it is pretext plus post-text that equals context.

Here’s one example … ‘Even Jesus hung around sinners.’  At surface, that looks good.  However, it’s not the full truth.  Jesus never hung around sinners for the sake of hanging around and kicking around dust.   Wherever He went, there was always a mission in mind.  He did go to where the sinners were, BUT He also changed the atmosphere and at the end of His discourse, the sinners through repentance became believers (Mark 2:13-17, John 4:4–26).  He didn’t hang around for six months to ensure it happened.

The Apostle Paul said,

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

¹⁹ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

²⁰ And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

²¹ To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

²² To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

²³ And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Notice how through the discourse of this text not once did he say “I became what they were”. The key word is the simile ‘as’.   The effort was to win them to Christ – without compromising his life or the integrity of God’s word.   We are to become relatable to the sinner, but not take up the practices of the sinner.

It is true that we are ‘in the world’, but never forget that we are not ‘of this world’ (John 17:16).  This world is not our home.  We are sojourners here.  As believers, we are different and we always will be.  That’s what distinguishes us – the salt, light and power.

The world will never love us.  It doesn’t matter what we do to appease them.  If they hated our Lord, they will hate us too.  This doesn’t make you religious, judgmental, a bigot or intolerable.  It makes you a True Believer in Jesus Christ.  The moment they fall in love with you, want you in their circle, become your best friends, trust me when I tell you there is a problem and it’s not with God (John 15:18-25).  A friend of the world is an enemy of God (James 4:4).  You don’t have to like what I’m saying, but as a believer you must measure your life by the Word (Psalms 139:23-24).

So, reach the lost with this good news we have been given.  That’s a part of our mission left by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20), but never forget that it’s not our job to save anyone.  Our job is to lift up Jesus and when we do He will do the drawing.  He has an appointed time just like He had an appointed time for us. This clearly eliminates ‘by any means necessary’ (John 12:32).

Through the love of Christ in our hearts millions can be saved, but through compromise millions will be lost.  Don’t let the blood of the lost be on your hands.

Be encouraged, keep the faith and fight on good soldier!

Minister Rickey

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

When you take a righteous stand, you’re going to upset a number people.  Now, watch this – when you do, your enemies will first try and discredit what you’re saying and what you believe.  When that doesn’t work, they will do their best to discredit you.  They will attack your character and even try and connect your past with your present.  What they cannot find they will make up.  It’s called diversions folks … anything to not have to deal with the “truth” you are sharing.  This is not new.  They did the exact same thing to our Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s clearly the cunning craftiness of the enemy.

2 Corinthian 4:3-4

³ But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: ⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

So, here’s our position – Let’s continue to keep our houses in order.  This doesn’t mean our lives will be perfect, but let’s do our best (with the help of the Holy Spirit) not to give them extra ammunition to use against us.   Lastly, continue to stand for righteousness no matter what.  If they persecuted our Lord, they will persecute us.  Count it a blessing and keep it moving.  However, whatever we do, let’s NEVER remove the boundaries of our conviction!  Make it a Great Day and continue to fight the good fight of faith!

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

The problem with this is that they completely missed who Jesus truly was.  It’s funny sometimes how the people who are the closest to you have no real idea who you are.  In Jesus’ hometown, that was exactly the case. They focused their attention on His trade and missed His assignment.  I want to encourage you today who may be simply working your “9 to 5” not to allow people to keep you in their boxes. You have been called to a vocation and not simply an “occupation.”

Occupation: Denotes what you do to take care of your daily needs!
Vocation: Denotes what you’ve been called by God to do that will bring Him glory!

If people only see you as – the janitor, computer tech, school teacher, that guy that mows the lawn, the babysitter or the mechanic – that’s fine.  In God’s timing, your assignment will astound all of them.

It is true that Jesus was a carpenter, but what they didn’t realize was that He was so much more.  He was the greatest historic figure that would ever grace this planet.  When he spoke, those that came to arrest Him went back with this report.

John 7:45 ,46 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?  The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

Jesus’ speaking astounded these fellows and so will your assignment!  I encourage you today to continue to work you occupation until God releases you into your vocation – at that time he will amaze your spectators and your enemies too.   There’s a great treasure in you!

The first thing you have to do is STOP criticizing God’s handiwork! He makes no mistakes. Rather, embrace who you are. Secondly, educate, train, sharpen, shape, and cultivate what God has placed in you. You’ll never become all God has for you if you simply sit around the house moping about what you don’t have and about the opportunities that were never presented to you.

Listen, David didn’t become king at his official coronation ceremony when he turned 30. And, quite frankly, he didn’t become king when Samuel the prophet anointed him king at 14 or 15. The truth is – the King was already in him. He was a King from birth! Who you are and what God placed in you cannot be changed. However, it is your responsibility to develop that person. When you do, that’s the moment you’ll begin to bring increase to His Kingdom and bring Him glory.(Eph. 2:8-10)

I keep telling you, you are God’s original masterpiece – created to do great exploits!

Daniel 11:32(b) “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

R.E.Macklin