The "Now I Know Moment"

Hi Folks,

We are hoping things are well with you all on this wonderful blessing called the Sabbath. It is a day in which we are without excuse for not having sustained communication with Father and Jesus. Let’s not forget others in fellowship with them as well. We are called to Their family.

Most may remember during last Sabbath’s Zoom Meeting we briefly covered the subject of Abraham and Yehovah’s relationship. For many decades Abraham followed Yehovah in all that He had asked. He was a beacon in a dark wasteland. When we read through the accounts of the relationship and the journeys taken together, we can look at ourselves and conclude how can I ever measure up to that? The beauty of it is you don’t have to. We covered some of that in the last entry into the study of the Plan of Salvation. We all have our own individual thresholds which we will be tested on. In Abrahams case it was with the request for him to sacrifice his only begotten son of promise.

Genesis 22:12 Do not lay your hand on the boy nor do anything to him. For, NOW I KNOW that you are in reverent awe of Elohim, for you have not withheld your son, your only one, from Me!

Just think, after all the struggles, trials, and accomplishments Abraham had endured with his friend and El, Yehovah/The Word/Jesus, he had not yet passed his threshold point to prove himself to the Elohim for entry into the Family. What an incredible example of patient endurance on behalf of both of them; Abraham and Yehovah. It has been written and recorded for us here at the end of the age. Abraham lived and was surrounded by immorality and sin on all sided. So, do we. As discussed, we will all have our very own: NOW I KNOW moment in our relationship with Father and Jesus. As stated earlier we all have our own threshold criteria in our relationship with Them, we don’t compare one to another. However, we look to them for strength of character to propel us onto the moment when we too will have a choice to make. The fact that They have granted us the ability to move beyond the milk of the word is an attestation to Their faith in us to make it.

As a result of our discussion we received the following question/request from one of you. It is so very welcomed and is a testament to how we as lambs chew on our cud of spiritual nourishment.

“Hi Brian! I was reflecting back on last Sabbath’s zoom meeting and was wondering what were the thoughts of those in the Abib fellowship as to the “now I know moment.” Abraham’s moment is a story we all know. I’m really interested in the thoughts of those in the fellowship as to how our individual scenarios could play out in this time line of the plan, in this day of age. The different ways it could play out for each individual in this end time.”

Personally, I was overjoyed when I read this. This subject is so dear to each and every one of us. It should occupy our thoughts from time to time so that we are not caught unaware as Paul so often reminds us about things pertinent to our calling. I sent it out to a couple of folks to get comment. Below is one response returned by Brenda H. What a wonderful thing to be able to share our thoughts and perspectives with others in the body. Each and every one of us are gifted and directed to assist in the edifying of it, the building up of it. We are hoping some of the rest of you would forward on your thoughts and perspectives on the question asked. It is a good way to exercise your part in helping to grow the body. You don’t have to have your name put to it. Only Bridget and Brenda will know who it is coming from. The names are not that important, just the thoughts and perspectives are. For that matter we will all have a new name in the resurrection and in our functions of caring for the Household of the Elohim. The Body needs your participation. Please send your responses to abibfellowship@gmail.com and we will anonymously share your responses.

Here was Brenda Helms’s Response:

“The pattern of this "now I know" moment that we are given with Abraham shows two things to me: 1. We may be asked to give up or let go of something very special to us, something as special as a child or our own lives. Something we have been given and worked very hard for. Something that we may even believe is rightfully ours and of a promise as Isaac was. It may seem like it’s too much to ask. 2. We will be required to demonstrate faith in following his word and be willing to give up the world to follow him. We must keep a level, mature head of faith, born through study and practice and be willing to follow our Savior. These characteristics seem to have been the ultimate goal with Abraham, demonstrated by his actions. It is also the same things required of the Bride.

Another thing that stands out to me is that each of us will have different moments that are designed to prove us for the traits that They are concerned about and interested in for us. Abraham probably already had a lot of faith, otherwise They would not have even considered this type of test for him. It would be too much for most. It was individually designed for him. They must have needed this example both to forward their plan with him, and as an example for others to follow. These tests may not always be to prove something that we are weak in, but something that we may already be good at but They want to perfect in us for a future purpose. Job 23:10 "But he knows the way I take, when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." It's interesting to me that he uses the analogy of gold and not some other precious metal that would also be good and valuable.

Don't get me wrong - the majority of our testing is probably to correct undesirable traits, keep our boasting in check, and bring about humility and repentance so we can be acceptable in his sight. Paul talked about this in II Corinthians 12:7-10 "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure."

These tests to the new covenant body also most surely have a component more heavily related to our minds. Thus, we have verses like James 4:17 "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." and Matt 5:28 about committing adultery in your heart. Christ has magnified the law and most surely, he is looking to get to our hearts in a matter. Jeremiah 17:10 "I the Lord search the heart; I test the mind..." Nothing brings out our true colors like a crisis whether it be physical or in our minds. The only way we can pass these ultimate tests and be able to dispel the fiery darts of Satan are to be maturely prepared through previous trials, prayer and knowledge of the word and the willingness to lay down our lives. Enter stage left... the Tribulation! The ultimate "now I know" moment! :)”

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All responses received so far are below, most recent first.

Response #8:

The life of Abraham is very intriguing, and we have been enjoying all of the personal thoughts and perspectives of this subject others have presented. God truly saw something in Abraham that was very special to his purpose.  He was looking for just the right person to fill an important role and responsibility in the coming Kingdom of God. It is inspiring to know that He has been repeating this pattern in each of us. 

As Brian had mentioned, Abraham had followed God in all that He had asked for many decades.  He life was amazing!   Reading about it we can catch glimpses of the process God used in refining Abraham through various circumstances & tests.   The “Now I Know” moment (Gen. 22:12) in Abraham’s life was a very defining moment for him.  Over his lifetime He had developed strong faith in God (Yehovah/The Word/Jesus).  When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac it must have been a real emotional moment.  He knew what God has promised him.  He knew whatever transpired during this test God could resurrect his son if need be. [Heb. 11:19]  (All of this points to the actual time that the Father would send His only son as a sacrifice for the transgression and sins of mankind. )

It wasn’t an easy test to go through, but through all of  Abrahams’s experiences during his lifetime, with progressive tests and trials, his faith and trust (which had some wavering moments in the past) had been strengthened and honed as a result.  Great praise to God in all his patience and confidence in Abraham, a true friend in every sense of the word.  I feel so encouraged when I read about the relationship and true friendship shared by God and Abraham.  We all would like to have a closeness like what they had.

So the question is how will the “now I know” moment play out in the individual lives of brethren called out in this day and age? 

I’m not sure exactly how each of us will be tested for the “now I know moment”.  I think each of us will encounter differing tests and trials for that purpose, but for similar reasons.God tests us all in an incremental process of testing and refining, more testing and refining, as much as it takes.  Just like metal is refined by fire and heat, so are we.  It doesn’t happen all at once.  It requires numerous times to get all of the impurities out of the metal.                         We have all heard of the expression to “test your mettle.” Originally, mettle was simply a variant spelling of the word metal (which dates to at least the 13th century), and it was used in all of the same senses as its metallic relative. Over time, however, mettle came to be used mainly in figurative senses referring to the quality of someone's character.God wants to know that we will obey his laws even when serious consequences could result. He wants to know that we won’t let anything or anyone come between us and the Elohim,  that we are not ashamed of His name, that we love Him with all our heart and soul, with all the life that is in us.  God gave the Israelites instructions about the importance of this. 

Due 13:1  "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 

Deu 13:2  and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods'—which you have not known—'and let us serve them,' 

Deu 13:3  you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 

Deu 13:4  You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear (or reverence) Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.  Discernment and understanding of the word of God is so important and strategic in our daily battles. There are many false teachers and “prophets” who come with scholarly words and smooth sayings on how we should worship God.  These become tests to see whether we love God with all our heart, that we serve Him and hold fast So often in human nature we want the easy button and can fall for doctrine that would make life so much easier or make us feel wiser that others.

These kinds of tests are crucial for us to be prepared so we are not blind sided. They are preparing us for that day of the “now I know” event.  There will be a great false prophet at the end who will deceive many.  That could be a “now I know” test.   I think about my own understanding and ponder how to be prepared more completely to answer and witness against the increasing assault against God and Truth.   

At the time of Christ, He repeated to the scribes what he had told Israel in the old marriage covenant.

Mar 12:28  Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" 

Mar 12:29  Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'HEAR, O ISRAEL, THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE.  

Mar 12:30  AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' This is the first commandment. 

We see that God doesn’t change.  Jesus emphasized how important that God should be number one to us.  He tested Abraham to find this out.   In this end time age we can be sure God will test us on this as well, using similar or different circumstances.Each of us is different.  We all have certain gifts, strengths & abilities that God is very interested in.  We know it is His intention is to bring together a variety of people who can function as a unit in oneness as the bride of Christ.  People He can trust, who will be loyal to Him, who will not forsake Him…Some else also used this verse in their comments but I wanted to focus on the 2nd part of the verse.

In Jer 17:10 it says “ I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”

Our spiritual fruits come in various variety.  I Cor 12 talks about spiritual gifts and the diversity of those gifts.  But God   weaves them together for the benefit all. 

1Co 12:4  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

1Co 12:5  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 

1Co 12:6  And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 

1Co 12:7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

1Co 12:8  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 

1Co 12:9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 

1Co 12:10  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 

1Co 12:11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 

1Co 12:12  For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 

I often ask myself what I can do to better with the things God has given me according to his will for the whole body of Christ.  We all have to step out more in faith to utilize what God gives us for the edification of others.  It is not always easy to do this but it is important to work at it.  God is a watcher. I think there are multiple facets of our lives that He looks at and tests along the way which would qualify as a niche or sub-category “Now I Know” moments.   All of this is used to prepare us, refine and strengthen us for that final Abraham type “NOW I KNOW” moment. 

What this may be I don’t know exactly.  It seems that Abraham was tested on his faith in God’s ability to do what He promised.  In James 2:22 it says that faith was working together with his works [Abraham}, and by works faith was made perfect. Whatever the “now I Know” test will be for us, it will be a test to determine that we believe & trust God, and our response/actions/works prove our faith. It was prophesied in Jeremiah 29 that God would bring back Judah from their captivity by the Babylonians.  We also know that when Christ Messiah returns, he will gather all of Israel to return them to their native land. Here in Jeremiah the pattern of what God wants from us is confirmed again; repeating  what has been stated all along in the old and new covenants. 

LITV Jer 29:10  For so says Jehovah, When according to My mouth seventy years have been fulfilled for Babylon, I will visit you and confirm My good Word to you, to bring you back to this place. 

Jer 29:11  For I know the purposes H4284 which I am planning H2803 for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace, and not for evil; to give you posterity and a hope. 

God is well aware of the purpose He has for those He calls.  In the King James it says “I know the thoughts that I think toward you…”  You can bet He knows us very well and has a place to weave us into.  This applies toward the Bride, the firstborn of that union, Israel, the Gentiles and so on.

The word “purposes” used  in vs 11 of the Literal Version  or “thoughts in the King James comes from H4284 machăshâbâh  machăshebeth  from H2803; a contrivance, that is, (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan  cunning (work), curious work, device (-sed), imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought.

Texture and machine makes me think of a loom used to weave threads together into a beautiful fabric of fine texture and color. God has put a lot of thought into where he wants to weave us into the family fabric.

The word “planning” in vs 11 LITV or “think” in KJV is fromH2803 châshab A primitive root; properly to plait [can mean to interweave] or interpenetrate, that is, (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; to think, regard, value, compute: - (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon (-ing be made), regard, think.

Jer 29:12  Then you shall call on Me, and you shall go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 

Jer 29:13  And you shall seek and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jer 29:14  And I will be found by you, says Jehovah. And I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I have driven you, says Jehovah. And I will bring you again into the place from which I sent you into exile, from there. 

This prophecy shows how God opens minds when He calls, that he will hear our prayers when we seek to find Him with all our heart.

Very similarly to what these prophetic verses say in 12-14, God has brought us to a place in His spiritual body at this end time. Much of our testing will have to do with our faithfulness, refining of our weaknesses and preparing us for where God wants to weave us in in the family.  It seems to me we are currently going through smaller “now I know” testing in various facets of our character, willingness to serve others in the family [in the pattern of the Prov. 31 woman] willingness to work hard at learning the word and overcoming with due diligence .  

Ultimately I think we will have a culminating  “now I Know” personal test designed to determine if …             Mark 12:30  “YOU [us, insert our name here]   SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.”

It seems that in the simplest terms, God wants to know that nothing else is more important to us than Him. Nothing else can come between us and Him. 

Response #7:

Dear Brethren,

Knowledge and understanding united in a righteous perspective produce the sweet voice of wisdom. It has been so soothing and at the same time exhilarating to read what is being written here in regard to the “now I know moment.” Personally, I look at it as a mission accomplished in some respects, but not yet a “now I know moment.” The knowledge and understanding manifested in many of these words of wisdom is really something to be treasured, for members of the body are speaking freely without fear. That is a big deal, for many of you/us have been pounded down in the past if we were to open our mouths to voice an opinion or an objection. And then there were the other times when we should have and did not.

The more we learn to speak openly about the aspects of the hope which is in us, the more we prepare ourselves for our coming “now I know moment.” It builds a righteous confidence in each of us. In quells fears associated with addressing adversities that come along unexpectedly. It gives us confidence that even if caught off guard we will respond to it in a composed way that will be pleasing to Father and our Savior/Husband.

The shifting sands of the world’s nations; as to politics and morals, are a depiction of what is taking place in the collective sum of those called by Father at this time. Not all make it to the body, with many of them being used by our adversary to take us off course. Are we ready for that when it confronts us full force? If satan is allowed to shift the sands under our feet, are we ready and able to follow the Lamb wherever He goes? We seem to be able to stay ahead of those shifts in the world, but what about in the body? We have been able to recognize and avoid the many “winds of doctrine” associated with our times but that is a different focus than shifting sands. When they are shifting one does not have a lot of time to ponder the situation. Our only way to safety is to keep focused on the Lamb, our Savior/Husband, and follow Him.

For instance, what would you do this coming year if there was adequate volunteer barley located at the end of the 12th month which would be mature enough for a wavesheaf offering in March? Our pattern tells us it will be intercalated at the end of the 12th month this year. That would put us way out of sync with many others. Decisions like that can bring scorn from those you may look upon as brothers and sisters. Surely it would bring it from the camp of the Nehemiaites and others like them. If we are tasked with such things will we follow the Lamb wherever He goes? That is just one example, there are many more.

The training we are receiving during our time together in our fellowship is priceless. We are being edified and edifying! Are you going to be a part of that or will you sit it out on the sidelines? That very well may be an indication of what you/we will do in our “now I know moment.” Please keep up the good work, it causes myriads of angels in heaven to sing with a great thundering voice, and at the same time, causes our adversary to have fits. That is the two edged sword of our righteous actions.

Response #6:

We've been reading the replies to Brian's request and would like to thank each one for sharing their thoughts with such clarity and purpose. We see wonderful gifts of writing among us! Your thoughts have been very meaningful and helpful to us.

This subject of the NOW I KNOW moment has sparked a lot of conversation between us this morning including the subject of life and death.

We've asked ourselves the depth of our faith and commitment to God and what we might be required to do in the future. We have faced many tests and trials in our lives, some common, but several extreme although we wouldn't categorize them as ultimate, so we have to assume this test will be in our future. We know the tribulation will hold trials that we can't even imagine right now but are becoming more real and possible each day with the world around us becoming ever darker and satanic.

We made a commitment to follow Yehovah wherever He goes and leads us by His Spirit. Luke 9:62 "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God." We pray for ever increasing faith through what we believe are the ultimate tests  yet ahead and comfort ourselves with this scripture 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (We may each have our Grizzly  bear to face)

Response #5:

On my own, I could never willingly yield and lay up my child or walk right into the fiery furnace.  I’d greatly fear hanging out with the lions, and I’d certainly sling and run from big ol’ Goliath. My human instinct wouldn’t be to sing songs of praise at midnight after receiving a multitude of stripes. (Or for that matter, stick around once my bands were loosed to ensure the jail attendant heard the good news and wasn’t killed for his supposed slackness!). No, not a chance on my own; I’d want to save myself by running the other way. Remember Jonah?

God’s spirit is a powerful moving in our lives, and without it, we are left to our own human reasoning, desires, and protective mechanisms. Life without the power from God, without sustained relationship with Father and Son, is all about the here and now. It isn’t a life led through faith that looks beyond to an everlasting future in God’s family.  We must ask hard and often for this kind of great faith, and sometimes this asking lovingly comes to us as a result of a wake up call because we needed pruned.  Bittersweet times. I think the above biblical examples were unique to these individuals living out their faith as lasting examples for many. I like what Brenda H. said about how “each of us will have different moments that are designed to prove us for the traits that They [Father and Son] are concerned about and interested in for us.”  This!  Sometimes we might wonder about a test of faith, big or small, along the way. “Why me?”  I would think our varied gifts in the body would dictate the faith moments that will prepare us in our roles of assisting others.  How many of us can relate to certain biblical (or other) stories of faith because it resonates with our particular position in life...our current situation...our gifting?  Now, and in the future, others can be shown our “NOW I KNOW” moments and it can propel them to choose rightly as well.

What might we be faced with at the end of this age that the nations could glean from by looking back after the 1000 years have ended?  We know in Ezekiel 38:10-12 that many will make the wrong choice at the release of satan, but certainly not all...

“Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’ to seize spoil and carry off plunder...”

As an aside, I often think this whisper from the devil might go something like this to the nations: 

“Hey, can’t you see that God loves Israel more than you? In fact, it’s all a lie...you’re never going to be a real part of that eternal family they talk about. Those firstfruits got their places, and they don’t care about you! They’re only concerned about the Israelites, His chosen. Look at what happened to your ancestors! There’s no real inheritance for you; you’ll always be less than them!  It’s not fair; they’ll always have a greater portion. There’s still time to make a different choice and be the ultimate rulers of the new world with me! We can overpower them!”

Something like that maybe? Who knows, but you can bet the heart of the lie will rest on selfishness, jealousy and power.

But what about those who don’t fall for that nonsense?  What stories of faith will they remember and act on at that time?  It could be anything, but consider this as one example...

Not so long ago during a study through Acts, the above example of the encounter of Paul and Silas with the keeper of the prison really struck me more than it ever had. If not for this story, what might we do in a future scenario at the end of the age?  Say we’ve been persecuted for not accepting the mark, perhaps we’ve been physically affected through hunger or mistreatment, and we’re essentially in a similar situation as our two brothers in the Acts 16 jail cell. Would we pray silently in our confinement?  We could; it wouldn’t be wrong. Or might we remember this example and pray for everyone to hear at times, with singing and thanksgiving even? And then would we have enough faith when we’re delivered out of bondage (as an answered prayer) not to just quickly run away and seek to save our lives again, but instead assist those who persecuted us when they thought they were doing right? Will we go that extra distance to help those who are confused, those who saw the hand of God open to us in a miracle and set us free?  Will we minister unto them if they are willing? And then, eventually, how will our stories of faith be shared among the nations in the 1000 years? At a pivotal time of deception after satan’s release, will the nations be able to look back at the sacrifices that were made by the now resurrected saints?  I think so. And some will see it wasn’t all about saving one’s self or being top dog, like it is in satan’s economy. We, like God, should have sacrificial love and want all to come to repentance. 

Christ’s words in Matthew 5:10-12~

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  

Rejoice and be glad..our eternity will be unimaginably great. We have to think and pray on that without ceasing. Writing these words makes me tremble even now, but developing faith over time is essential to our calling.  And whatever we are uniquely asked to do, may we hear...

Now I know!

Response #4:

Great question, made me do some thinking!  Actually, it’s made me do some thinking about past trials as well.  I was thinking it is possible that past trials may be an indicator of where my weaknesses are and therefore where future trials may happen as well.  For me personally, I would think trials will come in the form of personal relationships with friends, my job and my relationship with my spouse, since he is not called at this time.  Although my husband has been very supporting throughout my calling, it is certainly a trial that would be challenging.  Those are just to name a few possibilities, certainly giving up my own life for any of these reasons is a realistic possibility as well.

Even though Abraham’s story is one most of us are familiar with, I went back to read it again and I realized something I hadn’t noticed before that I found interesting.  Genesis 22:2  “And He said, Take now your son, your only one, Isaac, whom you love. And go into the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will name to you”.  Isaac was to be a burnt offering.  Burnt offerings are very special to the Elohim because they are voluntary and typify our daily devotion and wholehearted attempt to follow in Christ footsteps, that is why they were burned on the altar day and night and the whole animal was burned.  We, as daily living sacrifices are a “sweet savor”, i.e. we are very pleasing to Them.  Ephesians 5:1-2  “Therefore be followers of God, as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”  None of us know what our “Now I know Moment” will be, but every day of our lives is an opportunity to practice for it, a day to be a living sacrifice, a burnt offering, to devote our time and energy toward being washed in the water of the Word and assisting the body of Christ in doing the same.

The other thing I found interesting is that there are four different types of animals allowed to be offered as a burnt offering, all of quite different value, used by Israel for different purposes and had differing characteristics.  This leads me to believe that different daily sacrifices are required from each of us, some more, some less.  Certainly a bull was worth more than a turtle dove, right?  This supports the thought that all of our “Now I know Moments” will be personalized to our own level as well, so where one person may be asked to give their life, someone else may be required to lose a loved one, or a job or whatever it may be, but personalized nonetheless.  Luke 12:48  “For to whomever much is given, of him much shall be required. And to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”  What is clear from all of this is that we all have different talents and jobs to do as part of the body of Christ, therefore our daily sacrifices will be different as well.

It has been an interesting and thought provoking question to think about…I am thankful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with all of you.  Have a blessed week!

Response #3:

From the “Now I know” that God saw in Abraham and pray he will see in me one day, I thought of Job 42:5 “I have heard of You by hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen You,”.  There is a “now I see”.    Lately I have been seeing a lot of published prayers that God will provide physical things.  Psalms 37:4 “And delight yourself in Jehovah, that He may give you your heart’s desire” is frequently quoted.  The “desires of your heart” are said to be a spouse, children, home, job, wealth, health, and so on.  And I have prayed for some of these.  Some God provided; some he did not.   But today the desires of my heart are a different story.  If I am a slave, the desires of my heart should be the Master’s will.  From Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is incurable; who can know it?” to Ezekiel 11:19 “…And I will remove the stony heart out of their flesh, and I will give them a heart of flesh,” we see Isaiah 64:8 "But Now, Jehovah, You are our Father.  We are the clay, and You are our Former; yea, we all are the work of Your hand”. The changes in our heart make it possible to “delight yourself in Jehovah,”.  I can see and rejoice in the changes; grieve and strive over the shortcomings; but... Now I see what Job meant when God became visible to him.  I can say I am clay.  My heart is being moulded to desire the things of God and the promised future.  I know there is no going back or stopping.  I can’t say it is finished.  There’s too many obvious failures and the still unknown ones are frightening.  But, now I see.  Now I go forward and pray that whatever the “Now I know” moment or issue holds that God provides the faith, courage, and strength of Abraham’s example to enable me to make the right choice.

Response #2:

Greetings fellow believers! This is my response to the "Now I know" moment. First of all, I want to give all Glory and Praise to our Father and His Son for faith in me that I can follow through and finish the race. The choice will be mine as to my obedience in His plan of salvation for me. Now I can't compare myself with Abraham or anyone else. For my own "Now I know"moment I'm not sure how it will play out for me. But like Abraham, I know I must have true Faith in the Father and His Son, great trust in the Father‘s word and His plan for salvation, obedience to His commands, righteousness in His eyes and love in my heart for one another. So this being said, do I have what it takes for that "Now I know" moment? Well one day I will know that for sure. But for now I have to go on being tested and tried over and over again, being refined. Something like the Feasts a rehearsal, for that final "Now I Know" moment for us all. I'm so glad we discussed this topic it has been thought provoking and mind renewing. May we all have the confidence in the Father's word to tell the world of His saving acts and bring Glory to His name. May the love of the Son Jesus draw us to himself and by His power

Response #1:

In thinking about Brenda H’s comment, “It's interesting to me that he uses the analogy of gold and not some other precious metal that would also be good and valuable.

Here are some interesting facts on gold from https://www.gold.org/about-gold/gold-facts/unique-properties-gold

 Unique properties of gold

Gold is the material of choice to guarantee reliability of performance. Gold’s unique properties and versatility make the metal indispensable in engineering and electronics, and its application as a nanomaterial is offering new solutions to a range of global health and environmental challenges.  [I love “new solutions” to a range of global health and environmental!]

Below are some of these unique properties of gold:

Conducts electricity [a form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons), either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current.]Resistant to corrosion [Corrosion is a process through which metals in manufactured states return to their natural oxidation states. This process is a reduction-oxidation reaction in which the metal is being oxidized by its surroundings, often the oxygen in air.]Exceptionally malleable [able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking] and ductile [able to be deformed without losing toughness; pliable, not brittle]Catalytic properties [The most important properties of catalysts are: 1. A catalyst increases the speed of a reaction, and it also improves the yield of the intended product.]Biocompatible [compatibility with living tissue or a living system by not being toxic, injurious, or physiologically reactive and not causing immunological rejection.]Nanogold  [Nanomaterials that are naturally occurring (e.g., volcanic ash, soot from forest fires) or are generated as incidental (unintentional) by-products of combustion processes (e.g., welding, diesel engines) are usually physically and chemically heterogeneous and often termed ‘ultrafine particles’. Engineered nanomaterials, on the other hand, are intentionally produced and designed with physico-chemical properties for a specific purpose or function.]  Inside the brackets I have added the definitions from other internet sources.

 Other thoughts: 

· What was Paul’s “Now I know” moment?  One might think that being stoned and then left for dead, and then getting up and going right back into Lystra might be it.  But as we all have experienced it is not just one test/trial but many throughout our lives.  Trial by fire just as gold is refined by fire, so are we. 

· After the Zoom meeting last Sabbath I wanted to go back and look at what the firstborn/fruit inherit.  I went to Deut. 21:17 which says the firstborn son is given double portions. Vines expanded on this with:  The "oldest" or "firstborn" son (Exo_6:14) had special privileges within the family. He received the special family blessing, which meant spiritual and social leadership and a double portion of the father's possessions—or twice what all the other sons received (Deu_21:17). He could lose this blessing through misdeeds (Gen_35:22) or by selling it (Gen_25:29-34). God claimed all Israel and all their possessions as His own. As a token of this claim, Israel was to give Him all its "firstborn" (Exo_13:1-16). The animals were to be sacrificed, redeemed, or killed, while the male children were redeemed either by being replaced with Levites or by the payment of a redemption price (Num_3:40ff.). Israel was God's "firstborn"; it enjoyed a privileged position and blessings over all other nations (Exo_4:22; Jer_31:9).

· “I’m really interested in the thoughts of those in the fellowship as to how our individual scenarios could play out in this time line of the plan, in this day of age. The different ways it could play out for each individual in this end time.”

I do think on this from time to time, especially when I hear of others being told to deny Christ or die.   I pray that whatever that “now I know” moment will be for me; I don’t want to disappoint Them.