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.

#freshmanna #freshmannainspired #bibleverse #devotional #dailybread #passyourtest #testingofyourfaith #yougotthis #Godisforyou

Stick to the Plan

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

It is a known fact that goal setting is linked to higher achievement. In order to see results in our lives, we have to stick to the plan that God has given us. Being purposeful about how we are going to achieve success in the work that God is calling us to do is key.

Without God’s vision for our lives we stumble around in life seeking direction and guidance. Submitting to God’s will reveals his divine plan for our lives and set us on the right course. We will be able to use our gifts and talents to achieve the work that he has set out for us to accomplish.

God wants to encourage and remind us that he will cause us to flourish. When we are pursuing what God has placed in our hands, he will make our way prosperous. Our confidence should be in God’s ability to perform his word not our ability to do it in our own strength. We have to remember that it is God that started the work in us in the first place. He is the one who placed his vision, dreams and aspirations in us. The creative ideas, the witty inventions, the business strategy, or the desire to go back to school are all divinely inspired. The bible tells us that every good and perfect thought comes from him.

Therefore, we should take rest knowing that God’s word will not return unto him void. Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” If God has been speaking to you about what he wants you to accomplish for the past several days, months or years, know that it is your time to act on it. Create a plan and stick with it. The Holy Spirit will aid you in achieving what God has placed in your spirit to do. If God has entrusted his work to you he will not see it or you fail. Don’t give up before you get started! God cannot fail, if he said it, he will perform it.

#FreshManna #thatmannafromheaven #sticktotheplan #ifGodsaidithewilldoit #yougotthis #Godwillhelp #SetGodlygoals