I heard the Lord say, “The trying of your faith worketh patience”.

Temptation knocked on my door and presented itself as a solution to a troubling family issue.

Lord it is challenging when family and people connected to family drop a nuclear bomb. Of course, this type bomb wounds the entire family.

Family quarrels are not new. Genesis gives an account of Cain dropping a nuclear bomb (killing) on his brother Abel.

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Genesis 4:3-8 (KJV)

If I lean to my own devices and drop a nuclear bomb, I will destroy my entire family. Lord help me not be reckless as Cain.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

Family matters are meticulous because unity and fellowship are important. How do we handle family challenges without using Cain’s method?

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

I am guilty of telling God to give me a secret weapon to fight attacks concerning my family. In essence, I am asking the Lord to help me fight dirty. Lord I repent.

People pray to get answers and solutions to life events. Still, how do we respond to God’s answers? We respond with trust to an All-Knowing God.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

How often do we clearly hear the Lord speak and use our own devices anyway?

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)

This family matter has cause heart pain, division, and sleepless nights. It caused me to pray more and pour out my soul to the Lord.

Have you ever faced a challenging and trying family situation where the enemy yells “Vengeance?”

Satan does not stop with yelling. Instead, he compounds the situation by sending a gardener to plant bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness in the heart. What shall I say to these things?  

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Matthew 13:24-25 (KJV)

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (KJV)

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. Psalm 25:18-19 (KJV)

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)

Jesus speaks in a still small voice. You know the one we like to ignore.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 (KJV)

While I waited on the Lord to intervene, I held my peace. Thank God I did not say something regrettable. But I thought evil in my heart. Lord I repent.

The Lord did answer my prayer after the situation turned south – went in a direction I was not expecting.

My heart is breaking and the enemy is trying to put fear and torment in my spirit. He wants me to believe the Lord is not fighting for my cause. He is a liar of all times. The devil is the father of lies.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:44 (KJV)

I am reminded through the word of God about faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

The Lord is telling me:

• Not to take matters into my own hands
• Not to grieve the Holy Spirit
• Not to seek vengeance or revenge
• Allow His word to work
• Allow my life to bring glory to His name
• Be salt and light
• Wait on His promises
• Have a forgiving spirit
• Not to be prideful

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:14 (KJV)

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)

I heard the Lord say, “Do not fight the devil on his terms”.

What do human fights accomplish? The answer is hurt, hurt, and more hurt. Fights do result in gain but they also produce pain. What would a fight look like with no hurt or pain? It will look like God’s people accepting His counsel.

13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV)

The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11 (KJV)

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:21 (KJV)

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8 (KJV)

I am writing this message because I know the Lord is speaking to many about family trials.

When you know God is talking to you do what He says.

• Don’t be so quick to say, “I told you so”.
• Beware of temptation to take matters into your own hands.
• Don’t do something now you will regret latter
• Avoid doing things that cause division
• Be willing to forgive
• Be willing to repent.

The Lord gave me the answer to my family problem. He said, “The trying of your faith worketh patience”.

My job is to say, “Yes Lord”, because I know you are talking to me.

Regardless of the family situation, do not refuse the counsel of the Lord.