Title: The Blessings That Come from a Faith That Passes the Faith Test
Text:
James 1:2-3 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Observation:
Have you had any trials and tribulations in your life? Notice that the text says when you meet trials of various kinds; not if, but when.
Trials don't make sense unless there is a purpose for them. The text answers this by giving God's purpose for allowing trials of various kinds in the life of His children. The text says:
James 1:3 (ESV)
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
How we respond to trials determines our maturity. We know we are no longer babes in Christ when we pass the faith test by being able to experience joy as God delivers us through the trial.
Notice what the Apostle Paul said about suffering; the purpose, and the outcome.
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
We need to guard our attitude and grow our faith so that we might come to the point where we are able to trust in God in everything that happens to us. You can get through the loss of many things, but you cannot please God and get through your trials without faith in God.
Psalm 131:1-3 (ESV)
1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I can put my life; all of it, in the hands of my Maker, and my Redeemer. Father God, I ask that You would strengthen our faith so that we will be able to trust in You more. O the joy of trusting in God. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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