Saturday, July 18 – The Test Of Our Faith

WORD FOR TODAY by PASTOR JESUS FIGUEROA

DAILY DEVOTIONAL * WWW.JESUSFIGUEROA.ORG

Saturday, July 18

The Test Of Our Faith

Topic: The Test Of Our Faith Produces Character In Our Lives.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

Daily Reading Plan

Psalms 23-25 / Acts 21

Bible Versions:

James 1:2–4 (NLT) — Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:2–4 (MSG) — Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Devotional Thoughts:

As I read this portion of Scripture this morning I wonder, is it possible to have an attitude of joy when one is confronted with trials? For some this can sound contradictory and senseless. One might ask, how can I have my joy when being tested? But the Bible teaches us that it is possible not to lose the joy when we face problems and oppositions. Even in 1 Peter 1:6 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.”

I think this is what makes the difference between a believer that has his faith placed in God and one who does not. The difference is in the attitude you have when your faith is being tested. Understand that it is possible to have an attitude of joy, because you know that the result will be a total formation of our character. Oh how we need our character to grow! God knows how much we can bear, His Word promises that, “There is no temptation that is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will with the temptation also way out so that you can stand “(1 Corinthians 10:13).

Today we can have a positive attitude and joy when we are being tested in our faith, knowing that the end of the test our faith will be firmer and stronger. It’s Good to know that our character will be developed and we will see a greater spiritual maturity as a result of passing the test of our faith. Today God wants us to learn to endure and overcome everything that comes into our lives. That we may not only enjoy the good and pleasant times, but also get the most out of difficult situations. That we become like the disciples who after being beaten and persecution the Bible tells us, “they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).

Topical References:

1 Peter 1:6 (NKJV) — In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

Acts 5:41 (NKJV) — So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

Romans 8:17 (NKJV) — and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) — 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 the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV) — For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

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