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Testing, Trials, Suffering and Glory
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Testing, Trials, Suffering and Glory
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Copyright © Northside City Publishing 2013. All
rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted all scripture is taken from the
(NIV) New International Version copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by
permission of Zondervan Bible Publishing. All rights
reserved. Used by permission.
Every effort has been made to provide an accurate
source to the stories and quotes in this book where
possible. Where not possible the source is identified
as anonymous.
Printed by: InstantPublisher.com
Published by:
Northside City Publishing
5832 Freedom Drive
Charlotte, NC. 28214
www.northsidecitypublishing.org
Printed in the United States
All Rights reserved.
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As you read this short book, please
ask and allow the Holy Spirit to speak
clearly to you to give you wisdom and
insight into your own life. Also, that He
may impart to you the much needed
supernatural strength, power and
inspiration to sustain you and strengthen
you during times of testing, trials and
suffering. The subject of testing and
suffering is almost taboo to talk about. I
admit it is not something I wanted to
study in the scriptures. In fact, truth be
told, I purposely neglected searching the
scriptures and seeking the Lord about
suffering. I was erroneously hoping that
ignorance would be bliss. Oh how I was
wrong. Needless to say the Holy Spirit
won again and I obeyed and began my
study and search of the Holy Scriptures
on the subject of suffering. I have to
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admit ironically, that I was pleasantly
surprised and comforted as I studied the
Scriptures under the direction and leading
of The Holy Spirit. After all, He is called
the Comforter. The ministry of The Holy
Spirit is to comfort us especially in our
suffering!
God has amazing plans and rewards for
everyone. God also has a process in
which those rewards are earned. “No
pain, no gain; no thorns, no throne; no
gall, no glory; no cross, no crown” -
William Penn. I would add, “no
skirmish, no spoils.” King David's
passage from obscurity to the throne came
through battling a giant named Goliath.
God's process of lifting us up to higher
levels of faith, glory and relationship with
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Him involve trials, difficulties, battle and
even suffering.
I will be the first to admit I do not like
pain and suffering like most people.
When experiencing pain and suffering I,
like everyone else, tend to blame God or
the devil. Because in me is the false
assumption that if God really loved me,
He would keep me from experiencing any
kind of pain and suffering. But the reality
is just the opposite. Because He loves us
so much, He allows us to go through
difficulty in order to mold us, shape us,
and refine us into being the person whom
He has created us to be. It is like a potter
shaping the clay, working the clay,
reworking the clay, and if there are flaws
the clay is smashed down to be reworked
on the wheel. The potters goal is to make
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a beautiful piece of art and it is not ever to
destroy His work of art. So is the same
that God does with His people - molding
us, shaping us, reworking us, and even
refining us into a beautiful person that is
filled with the glory of God and is ready
for the work of the master.
“Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will
speak to you there.” So I did as he told
me and found the potter working at his
wheel. But the jar he was making did not
turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it
into a lump of clay again and started
over.
“Then the Lord gave me this message: ‘O
Israel, can I not do to you as this potter
has done to his clay? As the clay is in the
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potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.’”
Jeremiah 18:2-6 (NLT)
It is also important to note that God is not
only preparing His people for this life but
perhaps even more importantly He is
preparing His people for the life to come -
eternal living.
Hosea said, “my people are destroyed for
lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) In the
process of God's working in our lives, it
can be a great comfort and assistance if
we possess wisdom, knowledge and
understanding.
“Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test
my mind and heart.” Psalm 26:2
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The good news is you will be tested. Life
is a series of tests many times set up or
allowed by God. Every Christian (and
every Christian leader) is tested by God.
Perhaps this is my life’s message because
of the severe testing I went through when
I first came to Charlotte and have
continued to go through at various times
in my ministry with various levels of
difficulty. I'm specifically reflecting on a
test my wife and I went through when we
first moved to Charlotte to start a church.
This was our test, not necessarily
something others have to go through- but
you too will be tested nonetheless. Make
no mistake. In our severe trial we had lost
everything. We were stripped.
Spiritually.
Emotionally.
Physically.
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Materially.
Financially.
Relationally.
It was a severe and brutal test. And I
have found the greater the work that God
has called one to do then the greater the
testing one must endure.
Why testing and suffering?
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit
and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his
hand to clear his threshing floor and to
gather the wheat into his barn, but he will
burn up the chaff with unquenchable
fire." Luke 3:16-17
Everyone has to go through the fire
of trials, testing and training-suffering. To
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what extent is determined by God. Going
through the "fire" is the training ground
and Christ like development of God-it's
the school of the Holy Spirit. Greater
baptism in fire leads to greater filling of
the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our hearts cry
is always more of Him in our life; that
means less of us and the only way for that
to happen is going through the purifying
fire so as to give more room for Jesus in
us. Suffering through the baptism of fire
leads to greater power.
Years ago at a youth conference
during the lunch session I was sitting at a
table with a group of people I did not
know, minding my own business,
enjoying lunch. The guy next to me stops
and stares at me and says- "you have been
praying that when you preach it would be
like fire." "Yes" I replied. He proceeded
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in a monotone voice, "If you want the
fire, you got to go through the fire." Then
he turned back to his friends laughing,
having a good time and enjoying his
meal.
I was stunned for a moment but I
knew he was right. I had been praying for
fire preaching. I knew that meant times of
great trials and testing-suffering. I knew it
would be extremely tough but when I
came out of it, God's anointing would be
on me in a great and powerful way and it
would ultimately bring great glory to
God!
The Apostle Paul was one of the
greatest Christians to walk this planet.
Much of the New Testament was penned
through the Apostle Paul. The ministry of
the Apostle Paul was nothing short of
supernatural! The glory that was revealed
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in and through the Apostle Paul was, and
is, beyond description. However, for
God's power to be manifest in such glory
and greatness, he had to suffer much
through the baptism of many fires. Jesus
suffered the most and received the
greatest glory of all! For obvious reasons
God has chosen only to use broken and
shattered vessels. Because it is then, and
only then, that His glory can be revealed.
“But God chose the foolish things of the
world to shame the wise; God chose the
weak things of the world to shame the
strong. He chose the lowly things of this
world and the despised things—and the
things that are not—to nullify the things
that are, so that no one may boast before
him.” - 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
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It's important to understand that
everything God does is out of His love for
you. The motivation behind everything
God does in your life is, and always will
be, love. In his book about pain and
suffering, The Blessing of Brokenness,
Charles Stanley writes, “God does not
allow brokenness in our lives because he
is ruthless, cruel, heartless, or without
compassion. No! To the contrary. God
sees the full potential for our lives, and
deeply desires an intimate, loving
spiritual relationship with us. He wants to
bring about our best, and for us to
experience him in the fullness of his love,
wisdom, power, strength, and goodness.
He allows brokenness in our lives in
order to bring about a blessing.”
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*Hide these passages in your heart as
we talk about suffering and testing.*
“A righteous man may have many
troubles, but the LORD delivers him from
them all;” - Psalm 34:19
“I have told you these things, so that in
Me you may have [perfect] peace and
confidence. In the world you have
tribulation and trials and distress and
frustration; but be of good cheer [take
courage; be confident, certain,
undaunted]! For I have overcome the
world. [I have deprived it of power to
harm you and have conquered it for
you.]” - John 16:33 (AMP)
“And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him,
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who have been called according to his
purpose.” - Romans 8:28
We live in a culture that values
comfort, pleasure and avoiding suffering
at all costs. We fear and completely
misunderstand suffering as well as
underestimate its value and divine
purpose. When we experience pain and
suffering we naturally think God has
forsaken us. We tend to think that if we
are suffering we are doing something
wrong, we made a wrong decision, or
God is punishing us for sin. “I brought on
this pain and suffering myself.” It may
be, but the truth is that Christ followers
are going to suffer for many reasons.
Perhaps there is much suffering because
of the evil that is so prevalent in our
world today. Light and darkness do not go
together. Righteousness and
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unrighteousness do not mix well. It is
apparent that God’s glory is revealed
through suffering. Christ's ministers or
leaders, perhaps, have to suffer even
more. To list a few:
Moses suffered for 40 years in the
desert.
Joseph suffered 14 years in slavery
and in prison.
David suffered 14 years on the run
from the King.
Apostle John suffered in a boiling
cauldron of oil and was then
banished to the Isle of Patmos.
Apostle Paul's sufferings are almost
inconceivable.
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How God Uses Suffering
“My suffering was good for me, for it
taught me to pay attention to your
decrees.” - Psalm 119:71 (NLT)
“...where they strengthened the believers.
They encouraged them to continue in the
faith, reminding them that we must suffer
many hardships to enter the Kingdom of
God.” - Acts 14:22 (NLT)
“For it has been granted to you on behalf
of Christ not only to believe on him, but
also to suffer for him...” - Philippians
1:29
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*Suffering is a test (purifier)
of our faith.
There is wonderful joy ahead for us
in heaven, even though the going is rough
for a while down here. These trials are
only to test our faith, to see whether or
not it is strong and pure. “In this you
greatly rejoice, though now for a little
while you may have had to suffer grief in
all kinds of trials, These have come so
that your faith—of greater worth than
gold, which perishes even though refined
by fire—may be proved genuine and may
result in praise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed.” - 1 Peter 1:6-7
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*It makes us partners with Christ in
suffering.
Don’t be bewildered or surprised
when you go through the fiery trials
ahead. Instead, be really glad, because
these trials will make you partners with
Christ in his suffering. “Dear friends do
not be surprised at the painful trial you
are suffering, as though something
strange were happening to you. But
rejoice that you participate in the
sufferings of Christ, so that you may be
overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” - 1
Peter 4:12-13
*If we are to share His glory, we must
also share His suffering.
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Since we are His children, we will
share His treasures—for all God gives to
his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we
are to share His glory, we must also share
His suffering. “Now if we are children,
then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-
heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in
his sufferings in order that we may also
share in his glory.” - Romans 8:17
1 Peter 4:13 tells us that glories follow
suffering.
*It develops our strength and
character.
We can rejoice, too, when we run
into problems and trials for we know that
they are good for us—they help us learn
to be patient. And patience develops
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strength of character in us and helps us
trust God more each time we use it until
finally our hope and faith are strong and
steady. “Not only so, but we also rejoice
in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character,
hope.” - Romans 5:3-4
*It drives out the sin in our life.
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his
body, arm yourselves also with the same
attitude, because he who has suffered in
his body is done with sin.” - 1 Peter 4:1
*It teaches us to be obedient.
“Although he was a son, he learned
obedience from what he suffered and once
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made perfect, he became the source of
eternal salvation for all who obey him...”
- Hebrews 5:8
“You need to persevere so that when you
have done the will of God, you will
receive what he has promised. For in just
a very little while, “He who is coming will
come and will not delay. But my righteous
one[a] will live by faith.” - Hebrews
10:36-37
*It helps to perfect us.
“In bringing many sons to glory, it was
fitting that God, for whom and through
whom everything exists, should make the
author of their salvation perfect through
suffering.” - Hebrews 2:10
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*It exposes the disloyal.
“But since he has no root, he lasts only a
short time. When trouble or persecution
comes because of the word, he quickly
falls away.” - Matthew 13:21
*It is part of the struggle to advance
the Gospel.
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the
dead, descended from David. This is my
gospel, for which I am suffering even to
the point of being chained like a criminal.
But God’s word is not chained.” - 2
Timothy 2:8-9 (NIV)
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*It's a part of the process for Holy
living.
“So do not be ashamed to testify about
our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.
But join with me in suffering for the
gospel, by the power of God, who has
saved us and called us to a holy life—not
because of anything we have done but
because of his own purpose and grace.
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus
before the beginning of time...” - 2
Timothy 1:8-9
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is
treating you as sons. For what son is not
disciplined by his father?” - Hebrews
12:7
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“...but God disciplines us for our good,
that we may share in his holiness. No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but
painful. Later on, however, it produces a
harvest of righteousness and peace for
those who have been trained by it.”
- Hebrews 12:10-11
*It is an integral part of ministry.
“But you must be clear-headed about
everything. Endure suffering. Do the work
of an evangelist. Devote yourself
completely to your ministry.”
- 2 Timothy 4:5 (ISV)
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*It God's process for a blessed and
anointed ministry.
“While they were eating, Jesus took
bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave
it to his disciples...” - Matthew 26:26
A.W. Tozer said, “It is doubtful whether
God can use a man greatly until He has
hurt him deeply.”
*It makes you strong.
“And the God of all grace, who called
you to his eternal glory in Christ, after
you have suffered a little while, will
himself restore you and make you strong,
firm and steadfast.” - 1 Peter 5:10
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*It gives us cause for great rewards.
“For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory that
far outweighs them all.” - 2 Corinthians
4:17.
“...if we endure, we will also reign with
him.” - 2 Timothy 2:12.
“Do not be afraid of what you are about
to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some
of you in prison to test you, and you will
suffer persecution for ten days. Be
faithful, even to the point of death, and I
will give you the crown of life.”
- Revelation 2:10
“I consider that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with the glory
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that will be revealed in us.” - Romans
8:18
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Paul and his suffering:
“I will show him how much he must suffer
for my name.” - Acts 9:16
“I want to know Christ and the power of
his resurrection and the fellowship of
sharing in his sufferings, becoming like
him in his death…” - Philippians 3:10
“My children, I am suffering birth pains
for you again until the Messiah is formed
in you.” - Galatians 4:19 (ISV)
“We put no stumbling block in anyone's
path, so that our ministry will not be
discredited. Rather, as servants of God
we commend ourselves in every way: in
great endurance; in troubles, hardships
and distresses; in beatings,
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imprisonments and riots; in hard work,
sleepless nights and hunger; in purity,
understanding, patience and kindness; in
the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in
truthful speech and in the power of God;
with weapons of righteousness in the right
hand and in the left; through glory and
dishonor, bad report and good report;
genuine, yet regarded as impostors;
known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,
and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not
killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
poor, yet making many rich; having
nothing, and yet possessing everything”
- 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
“So do not be ashamed to testify about
our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.
But join with me in suffering for the
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gospel, by the power of God…” - 2
Timothy 1:8
How are we to handle suffering?
(The answers are underlined in the
following scriptures).
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing because they had been counted
worthy of suffering disgrace for the
Name.” - Acts 5:41
“Endure suffering along with me, as a
good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
- 2 Timothy 2:3 (NLT)
“Remember those earlier days after you
had received the light, when you stood
your ground in a great contest in the face
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of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly
exposed to insult and persecution; at
other times you stood side by side with
those who were so treated. You
sympathized with those in prison and
joyfully accepted the confiscation of your
property, because you knew that you
yourselves had better and lasting
possessions. So do not throw away your
confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you
have done the will of God, you will
receive what he has promised. For in just
a very little while, ‘He who is coming will
come and will not delay. But my righteous
one will live by faith. And if he shrinks
back, I will not be pleased with him.’ But
we are not of those who shrink back and
are destroyed, but of those who believe
and are saved.” - Hebrews 10:32-39
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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your
faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that
you may be mature and complete, not
lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now
for a little while you may have had to
suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These
have come so that your faith—of greater
worth than gold, which perishes even
though refined by fire—may be proved
genuine and may result in praise, glory
and honor when Jesus Christ is
revealed.” - 1 Peter 1:6-7
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the
painful trial you are suffering, as though
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something strange were happening to
you. But rejoice that you participate in
the sufferings of Christ, so that you may
be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of
Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of
glory and of God rests on you. If you
suffer, it should not be as a murderer or
thief or any other kind of criminal, or
even as a meddler. However, if you suffer
as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but
praise God that you bear that name. For
it is time for judgment to begin with the
family of God; and if it begins with us,
what will the outcome be for those who do
not obey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is
hard for the righteous to be saved, what
will become of the ungodly and the
sinner?’ So then, those who suffer
according to God’s will should commit
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themselves to their faithful Creator and
continue to do good.” - 1 Peter 4:12-19
“I consider that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us.” - Romans
8:18
TESTS WE FACE
Don’t be afraid but embrace God’s tests,
because just as Job went through his
testing and received double when he came
out, so is the same with us. Remember
God's plan is always to prosper you and
not to harm you. The tests are designed
to get you to the future He has for you. He
wants you to get double for all your
trouble. (See Job 42:10; Isaiah 61:7 NIV)
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“Come back to the place of safety, all you
prisoners who still have hope! I promise
this very day that I will repay two
blessings for each of your troubles.”
- Zechariah 9:12 (NLT)
When you go through testing don’t give
up! You will want to. People will tell you
to give up. The devil will tell you to give
up. Just don’t do it- hang on! You will
make it through.
“Let us not become weary in well doing
for at the proper time (God's set time, due
season) we will reap a harvest if we do
not give up.” - Galatians 6:9
God has a harvest for you. It's a harvest of
blessings and rewards. It's a harvest of
greater faith and closeness to God. It's a
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harvest that will take you to HNL (hole
nutha level)! It's a wonderful harvest
filled with the glory of God. Keep your
eyes on the amazing prize your heavenly
Father has waiting for you!
Testing comes so that we can get to the
place of the great abundance that God has
waiting for His people.
“For you, O God, tested us; you refined
us like silver. You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs. You let
men ride over our heads; we went
through fire and water, but you brought
us to a place of abundance.” - Psalm
66:10-12
Testing, trials and suffering is also God's
pathway to a greater anointing. The power
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of God is imparted to us and displayed
through the pathway of testing, trials and
sufferings. We desperately need men and
women of God who have the supernatural
power of God within them produced by
trials, testing and much suffering.
The anointing oil used in the Old
Testament was olive oil. Olive oil comes
from olives that have been “crushed”,
“broken”, and “smashed”. So is the same
with us today. We must be crushed,
broken and smashed to receive the
anointing of God. God's power and glory
is displayed through broken vessels. The
greater the brokenness, the greater the
power and glory of God that is revealed in
and through that vessel. People who have
a great anointing on their lives have
suffered much and have been through the
"fire" of testing. That's why the disciples
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could rejoice when they faced testing and
suffering because they knew that the
result would be a far greater anointing to
advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Testing
Nearly every moment of life is a
test. However, there are “seasons of
testing” that can be identified, understood
and passed if we are alert. Leaders
experience greater scrutiny, testing and
judgment than followers do according to
James 3:1. Think about it. Tests are
common to all of us. Tests are given
constantly in schools. Many products and
appliances are tested before they are sold.
Nearly every part of a new car is taken
through intensive tests for safety and
performance. When God tests leaders, He
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takes them through a crucial screening
which reveals what they are made of.
Passing the test is the pathway to progress
and promotion.
A Definition for Testing:
An opportunity which challenges
leaders/Christians to demonstrate their
potential and maturity.
Tests Reveal Three Truths:
1. Inward poverty- The test reveals that
you have increasingly responded poorly
and have failed to act obediently.
2. Inward plateau- The test reveals that
you have not matured, but have become
stagnant in your growth.
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3. Inward progress - The test reveals that
you have grown and have responded
better than ever.
Question: Think of a test you have
experienced recently. How did you
respond?
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Question: What have your recent tests
revealed: Poverty? Plateau? Progress?
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(In Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13 you can read
about Abraham’s test of faith.)
David, one of Israel’s greatest Kings,
welcomed these tests in his leadership.
Listen to his insight and note how aware
he was of the need for testing:
“. . . For the righteous God tests the
hearts and minds.” - Psalm 7:9
“Thou hast tried my heart; Thou hast
visited me by night; Thou hast tested me
and dost find nothing; I have purposed
that my mouth will not transgress.”
- Psalm 17:3
“Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test
my mind and heart.” - Psalm 26:2
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“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
and see if there be any hurtful way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.”
- Psalm 139:23-24
Clearly, tests are our friends. Leaders
should welcome them. They tell us the
truth when our friends cannot, or will not,
be so blunt. Paul the Apostle closes his
final letter to the Corinthians with some
sobering words:
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the
faith; examine yourselves!”
- 2 Corinthians 13:5
Observe the positive result of tests from
the book of James:
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“Consider it joy, my brothers, when you
encounter various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its perfect result,
that you may be perfect, or mature,
lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4
The Truth About Testing
1. We all experience tests at each stage of
our growth.
2. Our goal should be to pass every test.
3. Testing always precedes promotion.
4. Self promotion and human promotion
can’t replace Divine promotion.
5. Just as a product is never used until it’s
tested so it is with us.
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A. W. Tozer said, "God has to hurt a man
deeply before he can use him greatly."
17 Tests That Prove Leadership
Potential and Maturity
1. The test of small things (Ephesians
5:16a / Luke 16:10)
This test comes to prove our faithfulness
and potential for greater opportunities.
“... making the most of your
opportunities, because the days are evil.”
- Ephesians 5:16
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is
faithful also in much; and he who is
unrighteous in a very little thing is
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unrighteous also in much.” - Luke 16:10
Are you willing to do the small things; the
insignificant things your church may pass
on to you? And are you faithful to give it
your best even though it may seem
insignificant? Promotion from God
always begins with being found faithful in
what God gives you.
God wants to promote you.
God wants to bring you to a higher level.
God has a significant ministry for you that
you probably have no idea about yet!
It all begins right here being faithful with
something small! If God can trust you
with something small He will be able to
trust you with something big! That’s the
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way it works in the Kingdom of God. God
determines when you are found faithful.
2. The motivation test (Job 1:9-11 /
Matthew 6:5-6)
This test comes to the one who is doing
right to examine why they are doing it.
Why do you do what you do? Why do
you love and serve God?
“Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Does
Job fear God for nothing? Hast thou not
made a hedge about him and his house
and all that he has, on every side? Thou
hast blessed the work of his hands, and
his possessions have increased in the
land. But put forth Thy hand now and
touch all that he has; he will surely curse
Thee to Thy face.’” - Job 1:9-11
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Job was tested on His motivation. Satan
said to God, Job only loves you and
serves you because you made him rich;
because you have blessed him. God said,
“No. He loves me because I’m God, not
because I have blessed him.”(paraphrase)
Satan was allowed to strip Job of all he
had, and God was right. Job loved God,
honored God and served God because
He’s God. When Job passed this test, God
rewarded him by restoring double of all
he lost. Whenever we are tested God has
in mind a reward.
3. The stewardship test (Luke 12: 16-21
/ Matthew 25:21)
This test proves how strategically and
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generously we handle the resources we
presently control.
“And then he told them this parable: ‘The
ground of a certain rich man produced a
good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What
shall I do? I have no place to store my
crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do.
I will tear down my barns and build
bigger ones, and there I will store all my
grain and my goods. And I'll say to
myself, ‘You have plenty of good things
laid up for many years. Take life easy,
eat, drink and be merry!’ But God said to
him: ‘You fool! This very night your soul
is required of you; and now who will own
what you have prepared?’ ‘So is the man
who lays up treasure for himself, and is
not rich toward God.’” - Luke 12:16-21
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“His master said to him, ‘Well done,
good and faithful slave; you were faithful
with a few things, I will put you in charge
of many things...’” - Matthew 25:21
“Honor the LORD with your wealth and
with the first and best part of all your
income.” - Proverbs 3:9 (GWT)
“A tithe of everything from the land,
whether grain from the soil or fruit from
the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy
to the LORD.” - Leviticus 27:30
My wife and I firmly believe in
tithing. Always have and always will. We
always gave to the church first even at the
expense of our family - when we didn’t
have money for food or rent or anything
else. The church always got what
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belonged to the church. We were tested
big time with this when we first came to
Charlotte and were faced with bringing
our tithes to God's Storehouse (the
Church) or pay our bills and feed our
family. God got his first and still does.
It's a test we continually face because He
always wants to be able to trust us with
more and more. This is a test of trust.
4. The wilderness test (Deuteronomy
8:15-16 / Psalm 42:1-4)
This test comes with the purpose of
revealing your potential for change and
growth when you're spiritually dry. There
are times that come in our walk with God
where He seems nowhere to be found.
You don’t feel like praying.
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You don’t feel like going to church.
You don't feel like worshipping.
You don't feel like giving.
You don’t feel like being around other
people who love God.
You don’t feel like a Christian.
God seems to be so far away.
You don’t seem to be blessed.
Others seem to get all the blessings.
Others seem to have all their prayers
answered.
We all have our dry spells.
“He led you through the great and
terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents
and scorpions and thirsty ground where
there was no water...In the wilderness, He
fed you manna, which your fathers did not
know, that He might humble you and that
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He might test you, to do good for you, in
the end.” - Deuteronomy 8:15-16
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into
the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”
- Matthew 4:1
This is where you are tested to live by
faith rather than your feelings. Are you
going to give up because the feelings
aren’t there? Or are you going to keep on
keeping on because of your faith?
“…the word of God came unto John the
son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”
- Luke 3:2 (my emphasis added)
God will speak a life-changing word to
you in the wilderness! For me it was our
vision for what we are doing now- the
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vision- God’s vision came to me in the
wilderness.
5. The credibility test (I Samuel 16:7 /
Galatians 2:11-14)
This test displays our ability and integrity
to see if we compromise under pressure.
Are we going to do the right thing or are
we going to cut corners? Compromise or
values?
That’s important. You’re not tempted to
cheat or cut corners until you're in a
desperate situation. Then you’re faced
with some difficult decisions.
“But when Cephas (Peter) came to
Antioch, I opposed (tested) him to his
face, because he stood condemned. For
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prior to the coming of certain men from
James, he used to eat with the Gentiles;
but when they (the Jews) came, he began
to withdraw and hold himself aloof,
fearing the party of the circumcision. And
the rest of the Jews joined him in
hypocrisy, with the result that even
Barnabas was carried away by their
hypocrisy.” - Galatians 2:11-13
“But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not
look at his appearance or at the height of
his stature, because I have rejected him;
for God sees not as a man sees, for man
looks at the outward appearance, but the
Lord looks at the heart.’” - 1 Samuel 16:7
6. The authority test (1 Samuel 24:2-20 /
Galatians 2:1-9)
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This test comes to expose your attitude
and willing submission towards God-
given authority. This test exposes any
rebellion that may be in our heart.
Rebellion is a heinous sin against God.
Rebellion is what got Satan thrown out of
heaven. Rebellion has no place in the
Kingdom of God. He will not give His
authority to those who are rebellious. God
wants to give you more and more
authority but to have authority you must
be under authority.
Jesus attributed a Roman centurion, a
Gentile, with greater faith than anyone in
Israel. It was because he, the centurion,
understood authority and was under
authority. Therefore he had authority.
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“The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not
deserve to have you come under my roof.
But just say the word, and my servant will
be healed. For I myself am a man under
authority, with soldiers under me. I tell
this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one,
‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my
servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished
and said to those following him, ‘I tell you
the truth, I have not found anyone in
Israel with such great faith.’” - Matthew
8:8-10
David was also a man who understood
and honored authority. Therefore, God
could trust David with the authority of
Kingship.
“Then Saul took three thousand chosen
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men from all Israel, and went to seek
David and his men in front of the Rocks
and of the Wild Goats... And the men of
David said to him, 'Behold, this is the day
the Lord said to you that He would give
your enemy into your hand’... So David
said to his men, 'Far be it from me
because of the Lord that I should do this
thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed to
stretch out my hand against him, since he
is the Lord's anointed’. And David
persuaded his men... and did not allow
them to rise up against Saul.” - 1 Samuel
24:2,4,6-7
7. The forgiveness test (Hebrews 12:14-
15 / Mark 11:25-26)
This test comes to show you're not easily
offended and are ready to forgive others.
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People who do not handle offense wisely
betray others, grow cold in their faith and
eventually turn from God. (See Matthew
24:10-13)
“Great peace have they which love thy
law: and nothing shall offend them.”
- Psalm 119:165
“Pursue peace with all men...see to it that
no one comes short of the grace of God;
that no root of bitterness springing up
causes trouble, and by it may be
defiled...” - Hebrews 12:14-15
“And whenever you stand praying,
forgive, if you have anything against
anyone; so that your Father also who is
in heaven may forgive you your
transgressions. But if you do not forgive,
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neither will your Father who is in heaven
forgive your transgressions.” - Mark
11:25-26
8. The persistence test (Exodus 13:17 /
Jeremiah 12:5)
This test exposes your ability to stand
when you're in God's will and experience
adversity. When the going gets tough,
how do you respond? Do you just want to
give up, throw in the towel, do something
else?
“If they face war, they might change their
minds and return to Egypt.” - Exodus
13:17
“If you have run with the footmen and
they have tired you out, then how can you
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compete with the horses? If you fall down
in the land of peace, how will you do in
the thicket of the Jordan?” - Jeremiah
12:5
9. The time test (Esther 4:14 / Galatians
6:9)
This test reveals the quality of your work,
based on both opportunity and longevity.
“For if you remain silent at this time,
relief and deliverance will arise for the
Jews from another place and you and
your father's house will perish. And who
knows whether you have not attained
royalty for such a time as this?” Esther
4:14
“And let us not lose heart in doing good,
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for in due time we shall reap if we do not
grow weary.” Galatians 6:9
10. The Lordship test (Luke 5:4-7 /
Joshua 1:8)
This test usually occurs in one of your
areas of strength. You find it difficult to
trust God. It reveals your heart response
to whom or what has the final authority in
your life.
“And when Jesus had finished speaking,
He said to Simon, 'Let down your nets for
a catch.' And Simon answered and said,
'Master, we worked hard all night and
caught nothing, but at your bidding--I will
let down the nets.’ And when they had
done this, they enclosed a great quantity
of fish; and their nets began to break; and
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they signaled to their partners in the other
boat, for them to come and help them...”
- Luke 5:4-7
11. The faithfulness test
This test reveals our loyalty to someone
else’s dream or vision.
“And if ye have not been faithful in that
which is another man's, who shall give
you that which is your own?” - Luke
16:12 (KJV)
We all have dreams and visions. The
surest way to see our dreams come true is
to help someone else achieve their
dreams. I knew that one day I would have
my own church, and I know we reap what
we sow - so I worked very hard to serve
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Pastor Arlie. I prayed hard, gave much,
sacrificed, did whatever he asked and then
some to help in any way I could advance
his dream and God gave me my own.
This is a big one. How you serve
someone else’s dream is how people will
serve yours!
12. The Servant test (1Kings 19)
This test exposes our true heart, whether
we are serving God in a leadership
position for personal power, prestige,
position, or a heart that truly desires to
help and serve. A pastor I know once
said, “Everyone wants to be a servant
until they are treated like one.” Those
who want to be trained for ministry need
to pass the broom test. Do you mind
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sweeping the floors in the house of God?
Is it beneath you to clean the bathrooms
or change light bulbs? Is your time too
valuable to vacuum the floors in the
sanctuary or straighten the chairs? If so
you will not last long in the ministry. This
same principle applies in our marriages.
Are we willing to serve in any and every
capacity the spouse we say we love? Or
are we expecting to be served?
“The greatest among you will be your
servant.” - Matthew 23:11
13. The discouragement test
A leader is going to go through the
discouragement test when he allows
circumstances or people to dishearten or
deprive him of the courage in the Lord.
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The number one attack on God’s leaders
and all God's people is discouragement!
“Fatigue makes cowards of us all!”
- Vince Lombardi
1 Samuel 30:6 …David encouraged
himself in the Lord.
14. The giving test
This test reveals the true sincerity of our
love and devotion. It reveals that which is
really the treasure of our hearts.
“But just as you excel in everything—in
faith, in speech, in knowledge, in
complete earnestness and in your love for
us—see that you also excel in this grace
of giving. I am not commanding you, but I
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want to test the sincerity of your love by
comparing it with the earnestness of
others.” - 2 Corinthians 8:7-8
(Jesus said,) “For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.”
- Matthew 6:21
15. The obedience test
The proof of our love for God is
obedience. Jesus said if you love me you
will obey my commands. God has
established His authority on the earth and
in the church. We obey God by obeying
our leaders. Often the test comes when we
are in disagreement or at odds
emotionally with our leaders. The test is:
will we still obey even if we don't “feel”
like obeying?
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“Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you as
men who must give an account. Obey
them so that their work will be a joy, not a
burden, for that would be of no advantage
to you.” - Hebrews 13:17
“The reason I wrote you was to see if you
would stand the test and be obedient in
everything.” - 2 Corinthians 2:9
16. The Love test
Jesus said, “They will know you are my
disciples by your love for one another.”
- John 13:35
Scriptures teach us that love never gives
up. Love never betrays. Love covers a
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multitude of sins. Love doesn't take off in
tough times. Love requires unselfishness.
Oh how powerful the church would be in
overcoming evil if every member
practiced love!
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It
is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres. Love never fails.”
- 1Corinthians 13:4-8
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17. The vision test
This test challenges the leader to wait on
God’s timing for the fulfillment of the
vision.
“After forty years had passed, an angel
appeared to Moses in the flames of a
burning bush in the desert near Mount
Sinai.” - Acts 7:30
Joseph experienced 14 years of trials,
testing, suffering and completely dying to
the God given vision he had of being a
leader. Joseph is my favorite because in
an instant he goes from a zero to a hero,
from last to first, from the back to the
front, from the prison to the palace, from
being a prisoner to world leader.
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He experiences setback after setback after
setback and like a rubber band one day
God lets him go and he shoots to the
front.
(Also consider David-14 years, Moses-
40, The Apostle Paul 17+ years of
waiting)
The truth is you will go through times of
testing because God is more interested in
you being great rather than just doing
great things! We are more interested in
what God does through us; He is more
interested in what He does in us. The
testing, trials and suffering will come but
in the end you will be better for it.
The key is to never, never, never give up!
Remember the greater the testing usually
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means the greater work that God has
called you to do, the greater rewards He
has for you and the greater anointing and
glory to God will be displayed in and
through you!
ASSESSMENT: Which of the tests have
you experienced this year? Have you
passed them?
APPLICATION: Whatever test you are
facing now, write down what you can do
to exhibit your trust in God and your
credibility to lead effectively.
Psalm 13, as in the case of most of the
Psalms, is a prayer of David during a
period of deep suffering, testing and
preparation for the glory that would soon
be revealed in and through him.
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“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me
forever?
How long will you hide your face from
me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my
heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over
me?
Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in
death;
my enemy will say, “I have overcome
him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
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for he has been good to me.” - Psalm
13
Out of the depth of His personal
experience with God David also wrote:
“A righteous man may have many
troubles, but the Lord delivers him from
them all...” - Psalm 34:19
Pain and suffering often serve to remind
us that this is not our home. Our home
ultimately is in heaven with God where
there is no pain, suffering or sorrow!
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What matters most:
“...that the name of our Lord
Jesus may be glorified in you.” 2 Thessalonians 1:12
Jesus revealed a powerful principle in
bringing the Father glory. Right before
Jesus was to be betrayed and crucified,
He said this in His prayer:
“I have brought you Glory on earth by
completing the work you gave me to do.”
- John 17:4
Persevering through the times of testing,
trials and suffering is how God is
glorified in us. Persevering Glorifies God.
Persevering is faith and faith pleases God.
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Persevering is the secret key to passing
the tests.
Paul said the same thing, “I have fought
a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith: Henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
give me at that day: and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love his
appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4:7,8 (KJV)
As Jesus went through the greatest
testing, trials and suffering, He also
received the greatest glory. As you
persevere through the testing, trials and
suffering, know that God has glory
waiting for you!