Are You Up To The Test?
Good Morning Friends,
Kids have been in school for a couple of weeks and had a football game or two and yes they already have had more than a quiz. They must practice and so too must we. But what is the point of it all unless something is learned? Are You Up To The Test?
Scripture: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1.2-4 (NRSV)
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,” He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NRSV)
Message: Today we wrestle with the dilemma of moral responsibility as one of life’s tests. So you want to be used by Christ for His purposes…to be doers not just hearer of the Word. Well, be careful what you ask for. It just might change your life in unexpected ways. It might change you from a consumer into a contributor. From a test taker into a learner. Because of Christ’s nature and because of His purpose and because of the grace by which He is given, His effect on us is sure to make a difference. But here we discover that there is a consequence of taking the course of a Christian life. We will be tested. There is a cost of giving and following Jesus. There is a cost of love. So today we contemplate the costs of discipleship and its intended and unintended consequences. Today we contemplate who Christ is for us today and just who we are obeying. Friends, the world is a place of training and tests. Know that joy is found in the belief that what we endure here for our own good for the Kingdom to Come. Today we dare to love. It is the test of life. The test of being a Christian.
Pray the tests we take actually help us to learn something. Pray we believe in the goodness of God. Pray that the poor we encounter be a reminder to us of God’s faithful provision. Pray we experience the indescribable gift of Jesus together. Pray we thank God because He loves us. Pray we embrace the promise of God’s activity in the present and the future.
Pray we love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and souls. Pray we have peace in our hearts. Pray we be anxious for nothing. Pray we follow Jesus. Pray we realize that God’s will is more than we can imagine. Pray our correction leads to sanctification. Pray we pass the test.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 