Passing The Test

Passing the Test

By Pastor Russell Henderson

He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good.

[Deuteronomy 8:16 NLT]

But as for me, LORD, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts. [Jeremiah 12:3a NLT]

There are basically two types of students in this world:  those who test well and those who don’t.  A test is not something that should be feared, but many times we worry and stress over tests to the point of extreme sickness and ongoing health issues.  The dictionary defines test as: a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group. A test is simply a unit of measurement to determine if an object or individual is fit to be placed in a greater position of responsibility or service.

I have a good friend back home in Arkansas who is a potter.  I’ve heard him explain before that he is still not finished after he has formed the clay into the object that he wants.  If he merely set the creation to the side and waited for it to harden in the sun it would still be unfit for use.  Before the vessel can be put into service it must go through a testing – in this case the testing is an incredibly hot furnace.

He explains that while the vessel is in that furnace, it reaches a point so hot that it almost breaks down, but just at that moment it undergoes a chemical reaction and the molecules fuse together in a new way.  Now, the vessel is fit for use.  You see, the test of the furnace was to determine if the vessel was going to be strong enough to make it through to the final phase.

Let’s apply this to our lives.  The bible says that God tests us for our own good.  (Deut. 8:16)  The test is designed to bring us to a place where we can be used by God in the position to which He has called us.  In the story of the potter, I’ve seen him create beautiful vases to hold flowers; I’ve seen him create pitchers with which to water the flowers, and I’ve seen him create cups and mugs with which to drink from.  But none of those creations are fit for use until they are put through the testing.

God has created you with a specific purpose.  He did not create me with same purpose as He created you.  We are all uniquely gifted and called by God, but many will never enter into that calling because they refuse to submit to the testing period.

What is that testing period?  Just as your calling is unique, so is your testing.  I can’t define what your test will look like, but I can tell you that if you want to be all that God wants you to be, you need to surrender to it.  I can pretty much guarantee that the testing will not be all roses.  As a matter of fact, it might be painful at times.  But remember this testing is coming straight from God.  He wants to form you.  He wants to cut off the rough edges.  And He wants to prune away the parts of you that are not fruitful.

But, friends, don’t be disheartened.  We have a promise from God that is specifically for your testing time. 

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."  [Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT]

Remember this promise as you pass through your testing.  There will be times when you feel alone, but God has not abandoned you.  There will be times when you are tempted to fear and panic, but God is still with you and going ahead of you.

If you are going through testing today, hold on to this promise and let God complete his work in you.  If you are running from the test, let me encourage you to surrender to it.  Stay strong in the Lord, put on your armor, and rejoice that God has counted you worthy to be used for His service.

Make Your Faith Public

Make Your Faith Public

By Pastor Russell Henderson

 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

[Hebrews 4:14 NIV]

Today, I want to look at the last part of this verse, “…let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”  This word profess is a very important word when referring to our faith.  The word in the Greek is homologeo.  It is usually translated as either profess or confess.  Either way it is the combination of two root words:  homo which means “the same” and logo which means “word”.  When you put these two words together you get the idea of someone that is speaking the same thing as someone else, or coming into agreement with what someone else has said or is saying.

A profession (or confession) of faith is highly important because it is an open declaration that you are choosing to believe in Jesus Christ.  But not just the person of Jesus Christ, it is also a declaration that you are coming into agreement with every word and promise that He has ever spoken from the beginning of time.

Some don’t like the fact that different bible versions use the word “profess” while others use “confess”.  “Profess” is typically more of a positive declaration, and “confess” is typically a negative declaration or an admission of guilt.  I prefer to look at it this way:  a profession of faith says, “Hey everyone, I am proclaiming loudly and boldly that this is what I believe.”  A confession of faith says, “You got me.  I am guilty as charged of following Christ.”  No matter how you choose to look at it, it is still a public declaration that you are standing on the promises and word of God.

However, this declaration also carries some weight behind.  When you make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, you are now responsible for how you show and portray Jesus Christ to the world.  A profession of faith is not a one-time thing.  It is an ongoing demonstration of the love and mercy of Jesus to a hurting and dying world.  When you make your profession of faith, you are responsible for being a living representation of that love and mercy.

In order for a true profession to be made, it must be public; and it must be carried out in a continual, public manner.  I’m understanding, more and more, that a true follower of Jesus Christ must be making a continual declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ.  People need to know who you are and what you stand for.  If the people you encounter on a regular basis don’t know that you are a follower of Christ, you might need to do a personal inventory.  A true believer is always professing, always declaring, in one fashion or another.

If you are reading this and you are not certain of what you believe, I encourage you to dive into the scriptures and find out what God has spoken and is still speaking to us today.  If you are already a believer, a follower of Christ, let this be a reminder to hold firmly to your faith and profess it everywhere you go and to everyone you meet.