Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Testing, 1, 2, 3 Testing!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
God tests us, but not because He wants to put stumbling blocks in our way, or because He really doesn't want us to be successful. He tests us because He wants us to be completely and totally His. (Deut. 13:3). When we come to Him and decide we want a relationship with Him more than we want anything else, it is then and only then that we can be completely His. That is what He is after. Having us completely. He wants us sold out to Him, one hundred percent for Him, because that is how He is toward us (John 3:16). He wants us to perservere and determine to follow Him even if it may mean being offended, and then choosing to let go of that offense. God's testing helps us be fully committed. When we are tested and we decide to seek Him eventhough we have to struggle for it, (James 1:3) that decision and determination helps us get to a place where we can love Him completely.

Loving Him helps us be more willing to do His will, which is to lovingly serve others.

He loves us totally and completely and wants us to return the favor, even when we are not seeking Him, He still desires to be close to us.
Read More: Luke 8:12-14
Prayer: Lord, help me not fall away, but instead remain faithful to You!
Plan of Action: Pray about letting go of past offenses.