And they did not listen to Moses. And some left from it until morning; and it became rotten with maggots, and stunk. And Moses was angry against them. 

Exodus 16:20 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Disobedience Equates to Adverse Consequences

Exodus 16:20 serves as a powerful reminder of what can unfold in our lives when we fail the tests and trials YAHWEH sets before us, by blatantly disobeying. It is our nature to do what feels or gives us the most pleasure(s). The Bible reminds us that we are carnal-minded (Romans 7:14) and want to satisfy our fleshly desires instead of YAHWEH’s Torah. But, Exodus 16:20 reminds us that when we disobey YAHWEH’s voice, commands, principles, and statutes, there are consequences to our actions. Especially when we consciously and deliberately choose to persist in sinful behavior(s) without having a genuine desire to change our ways and seek forgiveness, essentially rejecting the opportunity for redemption and reconciliation.

Our sin(s) is loud, noisy, smelly, stinky, and deadly (Romans 8:6, Ezekiel 18:4). Yes, that accurately describes sin. In Exodus 16:20, Yahshar’el was given specific instructions from Moses (Moses received these instructions from YAH) to go out daily and pick up sufficient manna and quail for their households and to consume it in one day and not to leave any leftovers for tomorrow, unless it was the day before the Sabbath. Yahshar’el was disobedient to Moses, which means they disobeyed YAHWEH‘s command. I must add that this was a test (see Exodus 16:4, Psalm 66:10) that Yahshar’el failed miserably. YAHWEH wanted to see if His chosen people would walk into His Torah or not.

Examine Yourself

How many tests have you successfully passed? Give yourself a pat on the back if you are walking in YAHWEH‘s Torah and have passed many tests. Now, examine yourself, and be honest (Lamentations 3:40). How many tests have you failed? Why? What could you have done differently? What did you learn from your error(s)? If YAHWEH gives you a retest on that situation(s), will you pass it the second, third, or fourth time around?

And YAHWEH said to Moses, Behold, I AM will rain bread from the heavens for you. And the people shall go out and gather the matter of a day in its day, so that I may test them, whether they will walk in My Torah or not.

Exodus 16:4 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Asks Yourself

We need to ask these questions ourselves so we don’t repeat our disobedience to YAHWEH. And most importantly, we need to repent and make a 180-degree turn from our sin(s). It can be challenging for some to do the right thing and please YAHWEH instead of our flesh. The solution is straightforward. Read your Bible daily to renew your mind and to build up your faith and fear of YAHWEH. This is the first micro-step you can take to prepare yourself to pass any test(s) or trial that YAHWEH puts before you.

Present Yourself

The Scripture said: “study to present yourself approved to Elohim, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Let focus on the first part of that verse, to “present yourself approved to Elohim.” It is imperative that we pass all test(s) that YAHWEH allows us to encounter because we must prove to YAHWEH that our hearts and minds are focused on pleasing Him only! That we are grounded in His words, that His words ordered our steps, and lead and control our hearts! Glory! YAHWEH wants to see in action(s) that our characteristics are identical to the Fruit of the Spirit and the Torah. When we can prove this to YAHWEH repeatedly, He then knows He can trust us to carry out bigger and better plans successfully that He has already prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Can I get an Amen? Glory, HalleluYAH!

Prepare Yourself

The prophet said, send me, and I will go (Isaiah 6:8). How can YAHWEH send us on a mission when we are all caught up in pleasing our fleshly desires and not His? How can YAHWEH expect us to carry out His plans accordingly when we can’t even listen and obey His Torah? The truth is that He can’t trust us and that we are unreliable and unstable in our hearts and minds. Therefore, YAHWEH can’t use us as the vessels as He preordained because we are straddling the fence. We are unsure if we want to serve YAHWEH, the Devil, or ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:21).

Today is a great day to repent and ask YAHWEH forgiveness for failing tests and trials.

Choose YAHWEH

Today is the time to choose that you and your household will serve and obey YAH. Or maybe you are saying, I didn’t fail any test(s), and that you are living a holy life, and YAHWEH is pleased with you. If this is the case for you, pray and ask YAHWEH to continue giving you the mental and spiritual strength to live by His Torah. The bottom line is that we all need to live a blameless life and strive daily to please YAHWEH and excel in every test or trial that He allows us to experience. Choose YAHWEH’s ways today and every day! Amen.

And Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid, for Elohim has come in order to test you, and so that His fear may be on your faces, that you may not sin.

Exodus 20:20 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Other Scripture to meditate on: Psalm 139:23-24, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:7

By: David and Dana Edwards 

The post Don’t Let Your Life Rot appeared first on Journal Thy Journey.

2. I will say to Eloah, Do not condemn me; make me know why You contend with me.

3. Is it good to You that You should crush, that You should despise the work of Your hands, and You shine on the counsel of the wicked?  

Job 10:2-3 (HRB)

Why Me?

Job’s Blessed Life

First, let’s examine Job, who serves as an excellent illustration of trials in the Bible. Job lived a peaceful, almost unbelievable life full of blessing, prosperity, and joy. Along with all his blessings, YAHWEH also placed a hedge of protection around Job, protecting him from the wiles of Satan and his efforts to kill, steal, and destroy. Job’s blessed life came to a screeching halt and was turned upside down as his blessed YAHWEH-protected life came into question in the heavens. Unbeknownst to Job, YAHWEH and Satan (the accuser) had a few conversations about him. As a result, everything in Job’s life became touchable by Satan except for his very life. 

Job’s Trial Experience

Job, a man of great faith and righteousness, endured an excruciating amount of suffering and pain, all inflicted upon him by the malicious actions of Ha-Satan. The exact duration of his agony is not certain, with some speculating that it lasted for days while others believe it went on for months. Regardless of the timeline, it probably felt like an eternity for Job as he watched his life crumble around him. He lost everything he held dear, including his children, wealth, health, and even the respect of his community. To make matters worse, even his own wife lost faith in him and YAHWEH. As Job’s health continued to deteriorate, his despair only grew deeper, and he began to long for answers from YAHWEH. In Job 10:2, he expressed his yearning to understand why he was being subjected to such a trial of immense suffering and misery. Job wanted YAHWEH to reveal the reason behind his tragedies, to lay out all the cards on the table, and show him why he deserved to endure such a terrible fate. 

Many of us ask Father the same types of questions. Why am I going through this? Did I do something to deserve this? Why me? Why, Why, Why!!!

12. Beloved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is coming upon you, to try you, as though some unusual matter has befallen you, 

13.  but as you share Messiah’s sufferings, rejoice, in order that you might rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His esteem. 

1 Peter 4:12-13

In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

There are many reasons why YAHWEH allows trials to come into our lives. But first, let me be clear, YAHWEH does not need to explain Himself to us because He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and the creator of the heavens and the Earth. Job learned this lesson when YAHWEH confronted him in Job 38-39. Nevertheless, through His Word (Bible), our loving Father provides insight into why trials come. Trials come upon us to purify, humble, create genuine faith, test, affirm our faith, show the power of YAHWEH, teach us to depend on Him, discipline, and show others that YAHWEH is dependable. 

Obtaining Gold

But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it].

When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous]. 

Job 23:10 (AMP)

In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Extracting Gold

Let’s consider the process of acquiring gold from start to finish and see how it mirrors or parallels our own lives. Gold is naturally formed deep within the earth, stuck in hard rock deposits, a place of little to no light. Extracting this precious metal requires the use of heavy machinery and the application of high amounts of pressure to dig it out. The gold and rock are then pounded and crushed into a fine powder and treated with harsh chemicals to separate them. Similarly, before we sought YAHWEH and Yahshua, our lives were stuck in the darkness of Satan’s hard, lightless, and cruel world. Through our Father’s love, He brought forth or allowed specific trials, pressures, or burdens to break us free from the hard rock deposits of this dark world and drew us into the light of His love and salvation. Yahshua told us, “No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me…” (John 6:44 AMP).

Purifying Gold

Definition of Dross:

1. Something regarded as worthless; rubbish.
   • Ezekiel 22:18, Isaiah 1:21–23; Ezekiel 24:11–13; Ezekiel 36:25; James 1:21

Definition of Slag:

1. Stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore.

The acquiring of the gold continues with the purification process, which involves smelting or refining to eliminate impurities, whether visible or not. Achieving this requires the gold to be subjected to high pressure and slowly heated temperatures exceeding 2,150 degrees Fahrenheit. Through a gradual increase in heat, the dross and slag (impurities, scum, or unwanted materials) come out and are removed. This process leaves behind gold in its desired form. Similarly, in a continued process after being brought out of this dark world, YAHWEH, through trial by fire, begins purification. He gradually turns up the pressure and heat to remove the dross and slag (works of the flesh) from our lives. These trials by fire also aim to increase our faith and build our trust in Him. These trials may come in different forms, from personal struggles to external challenges. However, being mindful of Satan’s attempts to derail us from the right path and bring us back to his fold is essential. He may use the trials we face as a tool to achieve his goals. Therefore, we must remain vigilant and steadfast in our faith, trusting that YAHWEH will guide us through our trials and lead us to a brighter future.

6. Rejoice in this, even though for a little while you may have to 

experience grief in various trials. 

7. Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of these trials is so that your trust’s genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yahshua the Messiah.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (HRB)

In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Selecting the Karat

The final stage of acquiring gold has arrived, the determination, selecting, or choosing the karat of gold. The karat measures the purity of gold and its hardness. Karats range from 6k-24k, and 100% purity is unattainable.

• 9k – 37% Gold – 63% Impurity Hard Gold
• 10k – 41% Gold – 58% Impurity
• 14k – 58% Gold – 41% Impurity
• 18k – 75% Gold – 25% Impurity
• 22k – 91% Gold – 09% Impurity
• 24k – 99.95% Pure Gold – Softes Gold

As we live out our faith and live for YAHWEH, He will grow us in faith through trials. Just like it is unattainable for gold to be 100% pure, humans cannot be perfect. Yahshua was the only person to walk this Earth in 100% purity and perfection, so we must strive to be like Him. Father does not want us at 9k, 10k, 14k, 18k, or 22k because they all have too many impurities and are too hard. Father wants us at 24k, which is pure, incredibly soft, and moldable. 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Conclusion

Having faith in Father and His trial process is of utmost importance when it comes to achieving success in the gold-making process of your life. Father possesses intricate knowledge about the exact temperature and duration required to obtain the desired outcome. Rushing the process can have detrimental effects on the quality of the gold (your faith). Therefore, it is vital to trust YAHWEH‘s expertise and have patience with the process, as He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and the creator of the Heavens and the Earth.

Other Scriptures of note: 

• James 1:1-4
• Romans 5:3-4
• Hebrews 12:5-6

By: David Edwards

The post Why Am I Facing Trials appeared first on Journal Thy Journey.