Greetings to you all, dear friends! Grace and peace from our Father God and our Lord, Jesus Christ be multiplied unto you! Yesterday we talked about life as a test. God is testing us for few reasons. First of all, God permits tests in our life in order to bless us. Besides: * God puts us through test in order to search our hearts. We understand that God knows everything. Therefore, He must know what is inside your heart, right? It’s written in the Bible that God knows all my thoughts, isn’t it? If so, why does God need to test me in order know what my heart is filled with since he already know? It is absolutely true, God knows everything and that He also knows what is inside our heart, but He wants us to open our eyes to the true conditions of our heart through tests and trials. When God addressed His question to Adam asking Adam where he was, do you think God didn’t really know where Adam was? Surely He did, but He wanted Adam to understand where his sins and disobedience has driven him to. Unless we realise and see what is in our hearts we won’t be willing to confront it and change anything. Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to Romans chapter 7 that good things he was willing to do he couldn’t do, but all the terrible things he didn’t want to do was exactly what he was doing. Many of us have tried and have decided several times to stop being angry, stop being late, stop doing many wrong things, but failed to achieve that. Therefore, God permits certain situations in your life, so that you can see what your heart is filled with, and then seek God for help. A t he end of his letter to Romans chapter 7, Paul said he was a miserable man who needs to get rid of his sinful flesh. Paul was desperate. When he became desperate, He was seeking for solution, and help. Thank God God, Paul saw his solution in Jesus. One of the ways we can search what is inside our heart is by undergoing tests and trials. Without tests and trials you would continue to think you are a good person, a man of faith, and a holy person, almost an angel, who has been redeemed and seated in Heaven. So that is why God puts you through test, so that you can prove all these things. At the time of trial we quite often enter the mode of fear instead of faith; motivated and lead by anger and the desire to revenge instead of walking in love. God puts us through test in order to show us the level of our love and our dedication to Him.
«Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.» (James 1:12)
Many people love God only as long as everything is going well in their lives. Once a problem arises in their life, they turn their back to God. Sometimes God’s blessings become a test for you. Your life, your status in society, your wealth or you poverty, your problem also are a kind of test. Every place, God has put you into, is a test for you. However, when you understand that our whole life is a test, then you will always learn respond with the right attitude to your life. For example, God has blessed you by making you rich and wealthy, then for some reason you become a different man, displaying a different set of attitudes than before the blessings. This is your test. Having received a lot of blessings from God you suddenly have forgotten Him, – God who blessed you. Now you have no time for God and His works because you have become too busy with His blessings. Let’s say God has blessed you giving you a family, it’s also a kind of test. Nobody knows why, but you become too excited about your family, that there is no more time for God in your life and His works. You are now so consumed with the care for your family, to such an extent that you have forgotten where this blessing came from. Life is a test! Some people pass it with success, while others fail to pass this test. Unless you learn these things God will keep on testing you again and again. Do not grumble nor give up, do not resent nor blame other people when you face difficulties in your life. The understanding of the fact that life is a test changes the way you respond to the events in your life. God is on the top of everything. I am sure I live in Latvia, in Lielvarde not by coincidence. I am sure the things I am doing are not done by coincidence, just because I believe God is on the top of everything. Life is a test! Understanding this fact helps me and drives all my actions. The Bible says that all things work for good to those who love God and are chosen according to His will. God has chosen and called us for His glory purpose, to conform us to the likeness of His Son. God puts you through test in order to transform your character into the likeness of Jesus. Tests help you to learn how to love. Tests make you humble. God uses tests to break the wings of your pride off of you. God transforms a shy person into a bold one, full of courage. Please understand and always keep in mind that “Life is a test!” God bless you abundantly at this wonderful day! See you tomorrow! Rufus Ajiboye, pastor
