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Posted by Dion Todd December 5th, 2024 1,150 Views 26 Comments
You shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 WEB.
It was summertime. An elder at our church had a leaky spot on his roof, and I was helping him repair it. My dad was a lifelong carpenter, and I got to work with him a good bit. So for a while, I became the go-to handyman at our local church. A soft spot had developed on the elder's roof, so we had to replace the plywood and shingles in that area.
He was a hard-working man in his mid-seventies who had worked at the local grocery store for about thirty years. When noon came, we went to the hardware store for more supplies. A neighbor's boy, about four years old, rode along with us in the truck.
While we gathered what we needed, the little boy imitated us and picked up his own tiny pack of nails. We paid the bill, got lunch, and drove back to the house. We hadn't noticed that the neighbor's boy had walked out of the hardware store with his own pack of nails, but no one had paid for them.
When we arrived back at the house, the elder saw the pack of nails in the little boy's hand and in a near panic, said, "Oh God, we didn't pay for those!" So we jumped back in his truck and hurriedly drove the five miles back to the hardware store to return that fifty-cent pack of nails.
I was impressed with his integrity, for it was a hot day, and we still had a lot to do on the roof. I wasn't sure I would have done the same, at least that quickly. It wasn't even the nails that worried him. After walking with the Lord for decades, he recognized immediately that his character was being tested. He wouldn't compromise his integrity over a small pack of nails.
One night at church, everyone was praying for the Pastor's wife, who was suffering from stomach cancer. When this grocer reached out to pray for her, something that looked like static electricity shot out of his hands and into her body, she was instantly healed, and cancer left her body and never returned. That was forty years ago. He was a simple, honest man with great faith. James told us: "The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective" (James 5:16).
God will use little tests like this to prove your character or faithfulness. He who can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot (Luke 16:10). You will be tested to see what you are really made of, like someone giving you too much change back at the cash register. When this happens, don't trade your integrity for short-term gain. Turn the test into a testimony, and don't fall for the trap. For who you are when no one is looking is who you really are.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. Please give me the grace to get through this day and walk with integrity. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide my steps. Help me make the right decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Today is Thankful Thursday at the Ministry Events group! This event gives us an opportunity encourage each other by posting thoughts, moments, and prayers of gratitude for Him, His creation and all that He does in our lives. All our welcome! To join, just click on the group name and then the join link on the page that will follow. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.
Heavenly Father, I will be thankful if you give me the Grace to get through today. Remind me to Live one day at a time, not to far behind you Jesus and not to far ahead you, but right with you. Covering me with your Love and Protection! In the name of Jesus, Amen!
Comment from Dan Remley
2 weeks ago
Amen Kevin. A great reminder to live in the present β€οΈ
AMEN, Pastor, for sharing today's message and a shining example of true integrity, as I'm asking the Lord, my God, to walk in integrity and faith, especially in times of testing!! π
Also, it made me think of an old song or was it a poem called: "My life is but a weaving between my God and me . . .the dark threads are as needful . . . as the threads of gold and
silver in the pattern HE has planned . . .He gives His very best to those who chose to walk with Him . . . "! We'll just have to keep the faith and walk with Him till all the weaving is done!π
Comment from Dan Remley
2 weeks ago
I hope the whole family had a wonderful day.I love you allβ€οΈ
Comment from Lynn Brown
2 weeks ago
Have a blessed day, RHM family!π