Church of Christ 2010 International Lectureship
For information visit: www.2010lectureship.co.za
Message
From The Test To Testimony
BY: Mokoena Seth
Bible teaches that the nation of God became the slaves in the land of Egypt. It is also teaches that God delivered them by His mighty hand, “ You yourself have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I have you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself” (Exodus 19:4). They enjoyed the God’s favor and providence when God touches the hands of Egyptians and receiving countless farewell gift (Exodus 12: 35-36). They enjoyed their Journey until they reach the Desert of Sin (Exodus 16: 1). Egypt was a testing station where they were being tested for more than four hundred years and later relief came when Moses delivers them. They were not aware that Egypt was just the beginning of their test so another desert test is waiting for them
Believe me, there is no road, food, water or shelter in the desert. Money is useless in the desert because no one can use it. Life in the desert is not easy. Life there is not simple as honey and butter. It needs people who are sure of what they are doing. Mama’s babies are not surviving in the desert. When they feel head and dry of the desert, they faint and die but those, “Who hope in the Lord gains the new strength. They soar on wings like, they run and not grow weary, they walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40: 12 paraphrased). Israelites did not know that God placed them on the Desert of Sin to face life challenges so their TEST may be converted into TESTIMONY.
Because of the human nature the complained by heat, hunger and thirst and forgetting that they God who touched Egyptians’ hearts is the One who can touch the windows of heaven and automatically food shower like rain. They forgot that God who solved their problem in Egypt is still the One who can solve their desert problem. God said to Moses, “I will rain down bread and from heaven for you. There people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they follow my instructions” (Exodus 16: 2).
God was teaching them that everyone must work to earn living. Bible says, “Those who preach the gospel should receive living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 8: 14).
This shows that even preachers and missionaries must be stopped to be the Directors and CEOs of the church who sits in the church offices answering the phone calls and preparing Wednesday and Sunday sermons eulogies for funerals. Harvest is white and it needs the reapers. There is no harvest inside the church office and church pulpit. Harvest is on the streets, prisons, hospitals, schools, universities and shopping malls. Now is the time go and reap because the Lord of harvest has ripen harvest for us. Look around you will see that harvest is white.
I do not know what kind of test you are facing. Believe me we serve the incredible God. We serve the God who changes MESS into MESSAGE. We serve God who is able to change the unchangeable things. We serve God make makes the impossible thing to be possible. He is the great God. People whom we trust get tired and sleep but our God does not get tired and sleep. He is always there for us. I do not know what kind of situation you are facing and I do not know how BIG is your problem, but what I know is that our God is able to deliver us from BIG PROBLEMS we face everyday. The problems you are facing, are just tests so you can have a testimony. God is able convert out into testimony. Test of spiritual immaturity is there so you can master it and turn it into testimony. Maybe you have fallen from the grace and you cannot differentiate between right and wrong. This is a test and is there for you so can have testimony. Christ died for me and you so that we may be victorious. No matter how you have messed your life. Christ died for the messed up people who messed their life so that their messes may converted into messages. Maybe you are not Christian and you have just opened this website because of your spiritual hunger and thirsty and you do not know what you have to do. Let me tell you that you opened the right website. What you have to accept Jesus Christ by confessing Him as Lord and Personal Savior. Then repent from your sins and be baptized in His name for the remission of your sins (Acts 2: 38). May God bless you.
For more spiritual help you can contact the nearest Church of Christ and if you are not sure of where you can find the church of Christ in your city or village visit: www.church-of-christ.org. You can write to us and we will send a local helper to help you. Feel free to e-mail us at: cjhbchurchofchrist@yahoo.com or
