Manifesting the Glory of the Teacher (Part 2 of 2) | 02.09.12

(Continued from Part 1)  We typically respond to situations in our lives based upon how we feel at the moment, which can be ANY number of ways.  In order for us to mature in the faith, we must embrace the mindset that GOD only allows to happen to us that which is beneficial for us NO MATTER HOW it looks.  See Romans 8:28.  When we really get an understanding of this, it totally transforms how we react to circumstances because our minds have been renewed to perceive things differently than before.  The situations we face may present themselves as the enemy coming to take us out, but the truth of the matter is that our situations are only granted access to us by GOD for the express purpose of escorting us to promotion.  Basically, what appears to be a setback is merely assigned to be our springboard to the place where GOD wants us.

Therefore, with that in mind, one can't help but to rejoice in great trials and tribulations.  It then does not become strange to rejoice in the LORD always because it's important to maintain an atmosphere conducive for a divine visitation of the Almighty while in the fire (see Philippians 4:4).  After all, praise is normal and appropriate for the upright (see Psalms 33:1).  It's simply what we do because, as my mentor Steve Lawrence says, praise is a gate (according to Isaiah 60:18) that creates a thoroughfare for GOD to step out of eternity into time.  We need divine visitation during the test, not just the passive silence of the teacher.

So when enduring faith trials, stop complaining about how GOD doesn't seem near because His voice can't be heard.  We need to open our mouths and invite His glory into our situations.  But we can't just open our mouths and make noise for the sake of making noise.  SPEAK.  ARTICULATE.  DECLARE.  If we indeed know the lesson we claim we're being taught, then let's start spitting what we know.  That's what manifests the glory of GOD's presence in the midst of the trial.  That's when the joy of the LORD is released to be our strength (see Nehemiah 8:10).  This is what facilitates patience in its process of making us whole and complete.  And this is what causes us to not just pass the test but to ace it with flying colors.