THE TEST IS AT HAND

[Albert Finch]

"....we have been born again to an ever-living hope...into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay....who are being guarded by God's power through faith...so that the genuineness of your faith may be TESTED." - 1 Peter 1:3-5,7 (Amp)

After Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened and the Father spoke, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 17:5). The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, and the approbation, or the favor of God, rested upon Him.
But, immediately after this, He was led into the wilderness where He was TESTED for forty days. At the end of this time, Jesus became intensely hungry, and the enemy came to remind Him that He could do something about this intense hunger. Jesus refused, saying that His Father had not told Him to do this.

THE NEED TO BE HUNGRY

Each of us "hungers" for all kinds of things. We can submit these "hungers" to the will and to the Word of God, as Jesus did – "It is written..." Or, we can act on our own, seeking self-satisfaction. In effect, satan said, "If you are the Son of God, you do not need to be hungry; therefore, You should do something about it."
Jesus said, "...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word..." (Luke 4:4). Later, the angels came and fed Him a much better meal.

Jesus said, "...I do nothing of Myself...." (John 8:28).  Jesus walked on water because He had a word to do so. Thus, Jesus was not walking on water but on the "substance" of the word that He had heard from His Father (see Matthew 14:25-31).

While in the boat, Peter said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come..." Jesus responded with the word, "Come." Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk, not on water, but on the word that he had received – "Come." He did well until he looked down from Jesus to the water, and as a result, began to sink. But Jesus reached out and took him by the hand and pulled him up. THE LORD IS ALWAYS PRESENT IN EVERY TEST.

THE CRUCIBLE OF TESTING

Our being tested precedes the blessing. Thus, Acts 1:8 becomes a powerful present word:
"But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The word "AFTER" confirms to us that we must first be TESTED before we can speak the word of the Lord with substance and power.
This is the price that must be paid.

Anointing without testing is not sustainable. God anoints what's been tested in your life. David killed the lion and the bear. He had used his sling and stone out in the wilderness. God anointed what had been tested.(1 Samuel 17:36-39).

Under the unction and anointing of the Holy Spirit there comes a divine release as you are propelled forward into God's plan and DESTINY for your life.  As you take a "leap of faith" out of the nest of comfort and familiarity, you launch out into the deep. --- (the TEST of your commitment) "Am I willing to leave behind everything?"

When we come to a "crisis of faith", as God's vision for us is manifested in our spirit, the vision and purposes of God must be stronger than the fear. The jump is scary (the TEST is at hand), but necessary. Only when you jump can you spread your wings to fly to the heights God created you to soar to.

THE PRICE OF TRUTH

Many can say, "I have some truth." Jesus said, "I am the truth." He could only say this because He chose to put the will of His Father ahead of His own comfort and satisfaction.
Many are called, but few are willing to pay the price of truth. May we be found among those who are willing to do so.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
https://afministry.ning.com/