Take the Test

James 1:2-3 (ESV)

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."

We all can remember a time when we took a test we felt ill-prepared for. We dreaded sitting at our desks only to find an exam filled with questions and problems reflecting everything we should have learned throughout the semester. At that moment, we probably all whispered a desperate prayer: "Lord, I need Your help--please bring back to my remembrance what I've learned so I can pass this test." With a big sigh, we dove in, believing that God would help us where we couldn't help ourselves.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit is with us during our spiritual tests. He knows we can't do it alone. He provides the strength, guidance, and grace we need to walk through deep valleys and overcome the pitfalls of temptation. When life throws challenges our way, and we feel ill-equipped, we can call on Him for help.

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide, and coach—we never have to face the test alone. One of the blessings of testing is that it reveals the spiritual state of our hearts and the depths of our trust in God. In those moments, we can invite the Holy Spirit to teach us the truths of God's Word and to dispel the lies we may have believed.

Tests are also building blocks that strengthen our faith and cultivate a steadfast spirit. With each test we pass, we mature in our walk with God and in our relationships with others. And sometimes, we have to retake the test—not because God is punishing us, but because there's still a lesson He's patiently waiting for us to learn.

Every test comes with a few lessons. There's a lesson before the test—something we must pay attention to, as it will carry us through the trial. And there's a lesson after the test—one that reveals God's love and faithfulness to us in a deeper way.

So, don't be intimidated by the test that stands before you. Rest assured, the Holy Spirit is with you, cheering you on to victory.

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We don't have to Fight Fair

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

I can remember growing up and witnessing so many silly fights in school. From elementary to high school, fights broke out over nonsense. I can recall boys pulling girls ponytails because they wanted the attention of the girl that they liked, and those girls turning around and yelling to "stop" at the top of their lungs! I saw girls argue over boys and games taken way out of control.

Then there were the more serious fights. These escalated beyond words and now came to the point of backing up the smack you talked all day long in school. Guys and girls alike had their "crew" behind them and would often egg on the conflict. Needless to say, many fights happen over instigation. However, one of the main rules back in the day when a fight was about to occur was; no one should jump in. Fighting one on one allowed both individuals to hash it out without interference. Some times it was honored and other times it wasn't.

However honorable, it's not applicable in all cases. Now, when I think about spiritual battles, the scripture tells us that we don't have to fight in our own strength and on our own. This should be music to our ears, but we often forget that we have help. The enemy's job is to make us believe that we are all alone. If we believe the lie, then we are now fighting spiritual warfare with a major disadvantage. He eagerly bates us into a fight that we were never made to fight alone much less engage in.

Other times, we don't pick the fight, the fight picks us. When the enemy picks the fight, and you have unclean spirits instigating. The scripture tells us what I response should be in those instances. Our job: kindly remind the devil who is in your corner. This is our moment to speak the truth and declare the sovereignty, might, and power of our God.

This is the fight that we never have to "fight fair". Don't allow the enemy to convince you that you should fight without your help. As believers, we fight by faith. We know that God's word takes precedence over all the works of the enemy. We just have to stand our ground. His job is to move you out of your position, change your confession and lure you into the ring with him. Don't fall for the trap, you are smarter than that!

We are blessed to have Jesus on our side. If he is for us, there is no match up! As long as the enemy can make you believe you are alone and no one has your back, your fight will be of no effect. God wants us to rise up in victory because there is nothing we could ever face that we can't overcome. We never have to fight our battles alone and we definitely don't have to fight them fair. The enemy doesn't fight fair and neither should you. Your victory lies in your understanding of who is in your corner.

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