Mitchell Swaback Charities

Volume 67 • April 1, 2010

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You May Be Tested

Dr. James MacDonald

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:10-11)

Here's a good insight for us: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison" (v.10). Why is that going to happen? Here it is: "that you may be tested" (v.10). God allows His children to be tested. He does! I wish He didn't. But I'm not in charge! He's got His ways. God's plans and thoughts are different than ours (see Isaiah 55:9). I don't get it! But He does! I didn't even like exams back in school or the doctor's office either. I don't like tests, but God likes them. He even gives the devil certain latitude in order to bring about the three-part test that God is giving to us. Every test clarifies three questions in our hearts and minds:

Do I believe that God is in control? Please answer with an essay—half a page. Do you have Scriptures that you could use to back up your response? This is life's central quiz question. I'm telling you this is the test that we're going through all the time. Do I believe God is in control?
(This is a little harder) Do I believe God is good? Because you're like, "Yea, He's in control, but He's paddling the boat over the falls!" Under God's guidance life is not going to end up like that. I believe that God is good. As David wisely admitted, "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13).
Am I willing to wait by faith until the darkness becomes light? Am I going to give God time to work? Am I going to resist meddling? If not, you get an F on the test.

But we always want to know, how long is the test going to be? Notice here in the text: "…For ten days…" So, tribulation has a duration to it. God has the devil on a tight leash. Sometimes the test is really about waiting. I mean, even a chronic illness is only for a lifetime compared to eternity. We don't have to know how long—we have to trust, even in testing, one moment at a time.

For more from James MacDonald and the "Walk in the Word" Bible teaching ministry, visit WalkInTheWord.com

Mitch's Journal

Thursday 2/19/2004

God taught me more about faith tonight. As hard as it gets or He lets it get, in all situations God wants all of my faith. Matthew 17:20 If you have faith as a mustard seed nothing will be impossible for you. The highest and greatest expression of faith in the whole bible "Though he slay me" Yet will I trust Him Job 13:15

News Highlights
	Living Water Well in Liberia March 24, 2010 This year, Mitchell Swaback Charities is teaming up with Living Water International to drill a new well in Liberia and bring clean water to hundreds of thirsty villagers. 1 billion people of our world's 6.8 billion will go to sleep tonight without clean drinking water. Some of them will not wake … Continue Reading >
	Casa de Esperanza (Hope House) March 29, 2010 On March 13th, over 50 men and women from Harvest Bible Chapel and Mitchell Swaback Charities converged on the house that will be known as Casa de Esperanza. At 6:15 a.m. demo tools started to pierce the existing plaster ceilings, sledge hammers broke apart bathtubs and garbage can after garbage can … Continue Reading >
	Matching DOLLAR for DOLLAR for Haiti! March 30, 2010 As March concluded so did our matching efforts for Churches Helping Churches and the relief effort for Haiti after their devastating and life altering earthquake. Total donations received was $2,050.00, MSC will match that amount to make the total amount of $4,100.00 that will go specifically to help rebuild the lives … Continue Reading >
	Baja Mexico Ventana Ministries March 29, 2010 Mitchell Swaback Charities Goes to Mexico On March 14th, 2010 MSC in partnership with Harvest Bible Chapel of North Phoenix, loaded up the vans and headed to Porvenir, Mexico, home to a campus of Ventana Ministries. Ventana Ministries was started five years ago by Doug and Carrie VomSteeg to mentor and … Continue Reading >
	2010 Golf Outing: Sign Up Today! March 30, 2010 It's on, are you ready! Spots are open for you to register for this year's Golf Outing, Dinner and Auction held this June 14, 2010. This is our biggest fundraiser each and every year, so we need YOU to come out and support us! 100% of all proceeds raised from this … Continue Reading >
	Holding on to Hope March 2010 Update 2 March 25, 2010 As you know, Mitchell Swaback Charities has partnered with Holding on to Hope Ministries. In Mark 2:5 some men of great faith lower their crippled friend down through a hole in the roof to get him near Jesus. In seeing their faith Jesus makes a fascinating statement; “My son your sins … Continue Reading >
	Facebook Winner! March 31, 2010 Congratulations to Nicole Esposito for winning out leather suitcase give-away for being a FAN on our Facebook page! Check out our Facebook page today to get daily updates and insights on Mitch and what MSC is accomplishing. Look for future contests, until then, congrats again Nicole and thanks for becoming a FAN! Continue Reading >