A Moment of Testing...
According to your faith, be it unto you.
We hope to get what we expect out of life. We hope to see what we expect
to see. We hope to hear what we expect to hear. We hope to feel the way
we expect to feel. We hope to accomplish what we expect to accomplish.
That’s the law of faith and without faith it is impossible to please God. Yet,
there are times when we do the right thing and still we displease God. Why?
Because we do not do it by faith. We accept the reasoning of man. Faith
includes the how we do, the why we do, the where we do, the when we do,
and even the if we do. And if we are not of faith, we are of sin.
If we are sincere in asking the Lord to increase our faith, then it must be more
than a day by day situation; it must be moment to moment. I hope for us
more and more faith with which we please God. How we get this is from God
as He builds our faith and God builds our faith by putting the measure of faith
that He has given us to the test, by trying it. If in Christ, there is never a
moment when faith is not tested. Faith carries us forward to maturity and
completeness in Christ. Counting the faith building opportunities that God
gives each of us is as counting each moment of each day. The dilemma is
that most of us don’t recognize them for what they are. We fail the test not
even realizing that it was a test. We don’t even see that our loving God and
Savior is trying to strengthen and grow us in faith.
God will test our faith through difficulties. That’s trials, problems, pressures,
and difficult circumstances. Through all the strains of life. There is a
difference between TEMPTATIONS and TRIALS. Temptations come from
Satan. They come from the outside attempting to make us weaker. Trials, on
the other hand, come from our Father God to make us stronger, wiser, more
loving and obedient.
I Peter 1:6, 7
Nothing ever happens by accident in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ.
Everything is Father filtered. We live in a broken world. If we allow our love
for one another to be broken, we have no faith. If we are disobedient to the
ways of God, we have no faith. If we cannot consider what is truth, we have
no faith. If we are not growing in Christ as one, we have no faith. And it is
when we have no faith that we question God. And it is when we have no faith
that we join to the world. Here is a thought for consideration; every trial
brought to us is custom made just for us. That is saying that no trial comes
to us without God’s approval and permission. How much more our faith is
strengthened when our thoughts are on God. Spend three days and three
nights in the belly of a fish. Sit in a den filled with hungry lions. Get thrown
into a fiery furnace bound in a coat, wearing hosen, and hats, and other
garments. Be cast into a dungeon where there was no water, only mire. What
might it be like to be placed in a hollow log and sawed asunder.
SOP - One after another the foremost of the builders fell by the hand of the
enemy. Stephen was stoned; James was slain by the sword; Paul was
beheaded; Peter was crucified; John was exiled. Yet the church grew. New
workers took the place of those who fell, and stone after stone was added to
the building. Thus slowly ascended the temple of the church of God. {AA
597.2}
In every testing moment, the difficult times, the joyful times, our thoughts
must be toward God. Are you in the refiner’s fire, are your thoughts on self
or on what Christ is doing for you? If we have faith then we know that Christ
will not cease the refining until the gold, the silver has no impurities. When
he sees his reflection in you then he knows that the impurities in your life
have been burned away. The fire will tell you if your faith is real. God tests
us to show us if we are born of the spirit and the water. The surest test for a
true diamond is called the water test. An imitation stone is never ever so
brilliant as a genuine stone. A genuine diamond placed in water sparkles
brilliantly although it’s under water. The sparkle of the imitation is practically
extinguished. Place one along side the other in water and you’ll be able to
pick out the one reflecting the light of Jesus right away. We must learn to live
by faith.
God tests us by asking us to do the seemingly impossible…to obey, to love
our enemies, to forgive others, to be thankful in all things, to do good to them
that hate you, to pray for them that despitefully use you, and wait a
moment…to bless those who persecute you. Your faith proves who you trust.
In Christ, trusting God, through the Holy Spirit we can do the impossible. We
can go forward on dry ground in the midst of the sea.
We can be sustained for forty years with manna not knowing what it is.
We can defeat giants that have a sword, a spear, and a shield and all we
have is the name of the LORD of hosts and a sling with a stone.
We can build a cruise ship out of wood with hammer, saw, and ax.
We can get out of the city, from our kindred, without questioning God.
God says get to the country. We say where exactly am I going? How am I
be ready to follow your directions?
God tests us in our disobedience. Leave Egypt. You have a two week
journey to the land of Canaan…forty years later.
Adam, Eve, the number of the trees in the Garden is so vast as to be beyond
numbering, and of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it.
Keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his
statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies,
as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou
doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself. But king Solomon loved many
strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the
Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; of the nations
concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go
in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away
your heart after their gods. Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had
seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his
wives turned away his heart from God.
And God spake in a certain place of the seventh day and God rested the
seventh day from all his works. And again, My faithful Seventh Day
Adventists shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some
must enter therein. But there are those to whom it was first preached who
are not entered in because of unbelief. Again, I say, I limiteth a certain day,
and today, after so long a time, today if ye will hear My voice, harden not
your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward
have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people
of God. For he that is entered into My rest, he also hath ceased from his own
works, as I did from Mine. Labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man
fall because of lack of faith.
After Adam’s fall we needed another test other than the tree. God’s
redemptive process is our test of faith. There are moments when we falsely
convince ourselves that we love Jesus very much; the truth is deep within
our soul. If our conviction, our true love for him cannot stand the rigorous
moments of trials, our faith suffers a blackout. There is no light there. And
without light we cannot see to fight the battle. Thank God for the prayer of
Jesus that our faith fail not. Ask my sisters to explain the trial in the
Garden…fear and faith cannot exist together; trust and doubt are not friends;
truth and error are forever enemies, love for God and disobedience are not
partners; when one is present the other is absent. Not knowing the truth, not
seeking the truth will paralyze the faith given you from God. And paralysis
weakens faith unto death.
The measure of faith given by God existed from the beginning…it would be
needed to endure the trials of testing. The relationship between Adam and
God was tested and that didn’t end well. We are in the testing of our
relationship with Christ; who through this man we gained freedom from the
bondage of the sin that was brought in by Adam. God created the tree of life
specifically for one purpose; to give eternal life to whoever eats from it and
not sin. That tree was removed, and so now God gives us another food for
the same purpose…
John 6:51
God testing us is not a prevention strategy to see who wants to be in heaven,
it is a conditional strategy to see who will be in heaven. The condition…if you
love me! With what kind of spirit do we worship God? With what truth do we
worship God? These are questions that mark our moments. Every moment
is a spiritual experimental moment. It is a moment that those who have been
chosen must go through in order to boost their faith. Know that the outcome
depends very much on Jesus and not ourselves. He is interceding for us that
our faith fails not. It only takes a moment to say yes to God. Why all the other
gibberish.
God is refining us. He is proving to Satan and the world that we are His
children. He wants us to know Him more. God wants us to be like Jesus. The
Lord will not always tell us when we are tested, but when he is testing us, he
will give us the strength to past the test. And guess what? He will never test
us beyond what we are able to bear or to endure. Regard everything as a
test. Every trial, every time you interact with someone you are tested. You
are tested in your alone time with every thought. Every question you ask,
every answer you give…you are being tested. Tests are not easy. Do not let
any test break you or make you bitter or complaining. If it wasn’t working for
your good God wouldn’t allow it. God has a special place He wants to get
you to, through His testing. Prepare by praying, by studying. Live for the
moment of eternity.
God has a spiritually minded people purposed expressly for the last time.
Discerning spiritually minded individuals involves both an inward process of
spiritual discernment and an outward observation of behaviors, values, and
attitudes that reflect a genuine commitment to a higher calling. We must
understand what it means to be spiritually minded. How do we define it?
Spiritual discernment is the ability to distinguish what truly comes from a
divine source versus what is driven solely by worldly concerns or personal
ego. It involves a steady connection with God through prayer, reasoning,
meditation, and studying scripture. Those who have cultivated this
discernment tend to see life through “spiritual eyes,” meaning they make
decisions and choices based on a deep sense of moral and spiritual
conviction rather than on external appearances or transient emotions. Theirs
is an inner transformation. God’s testing of His last-day people is a
purposeful, multifaceted process designed to refine and reveal genuine faith,
teach dependence on Him, prepare believers for greater responsibilities, and
demonstrate His power and faithfulness. These tests are likened to a refining
fire that purifies character - “the proven character of our faith… tested by
fire”. They reveal authentic trust, as in Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac,
when God declared, “for now I know that you fear God”. In the last days,
intensified trials of moral decay and spiritual deception will confront believers
- terrible times. Finally, the “last test” challenges believers to obey God rather
than human mandates, exemplified by Daniel’s refusal to cease prayer under
threat and the beast’s economic coercion.
God’s tests serve to reveal true faith under pressure; to teach dependence
on God’s provision; to prepare individuals for greater roles; and to
demonstrate God’s sovereignty and faithfulness through restored blessings
after hardship. Biblical prophecy warns of increasing moral decay, tribulation,
and deception in the last days - “you will be hated…many false prophets will
arise…love of most will grow cold…but the one who endures to the end will
be saved”. Severe trials are meant to produce perseverance and maturity -
“count it all joy…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance”;
they shape faith “more precious than gold”. God tests the integrity of
character, love, patience, and grace to expose the true condition of the heart
- God will test our integrity, our love for others, our patience, our gifted
grace…to reveal what’s on the inside. Believers face obedience tests under
persecution and false worship, such as choosing Sabbath truth over human
edicts - the decision to obey God’s commandments or the commandments
of men…the mark of the beast is an issue of worship; economic coercion
requiring the beast’s mark tests loyalty to God. We will have discernment
tests in the last days, prophecy and doctrine will be contested. Special tests
will refine prophetic servants, verifying whether they will obey the direct voice
of the Lord over so-called respected leaders. Testing fosters a deep trust in
God’s character, transforming faith into steadfast trust – though He slay me.
God’s spiritual testing of His last-day people is neither random nor punitive
but a sovereign means to refine character, reveal true faith, strengthen
dependence, and equip believers to stand firm amid ultimate trials. As the
final generation faces unparalleled deception and persecution, these
purposeful tests confirm the last-day people as victorious overcomers, ready
to meet their Lord.
A spiritually minded person isn’t just someone who talks about spiritual
beliefs; they have undergone an inner transformation. This inner change is
marked by humility, a constant awareness of God’s presence, a desire to
serve others, and the active pursuit of personal and communal growth. They
typically show in their decisions and lifestyle a commitment that goes beyond
merely adhering to some traditional religion - it reflects a heart turned toward
higher truth and divine wisdom. God’s people will possess observable
characteristics and behaviors consistent with beliefs and actions that reflect
the integrity of truth…in private and in public. Spiritually minded individuals
are known for doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Their
internal values consistently inform their external behavior. They tend to reject
behavior driven by ego or societal pressures and consistently choose actions
that honor their spiritual convictions. This done with humility and self-control.
They display humility and restraint. Rather than engaging in gossip, they
choose to speak uplifting words or remain silent if words spoken will not bring
hearts to the truth. Their self-discipline in speech and actions is a reflection
of their inner transformation to a life of compassion and service. God’s
people prioritizing others is a hallmark of spiritual maturity having a genuine
concern for others. Spiritually minded individuals typically act out of love and
service, often making personal sacrifices to help or uplift those around them.
Their lives are marked by acts of kindness, patience, and forgiveness, rather
than judgment or criticism. Forgiveness and grace is their constant seeking.
They tend to hold forgiveness as a core value, understanding that everyone
is on their own spiritual journey. Their willingness to forgive - even when it is
challenging - speaks to an inner state rooted in the love and mercy of God.
This inner peace and resilience bring a calmness amidst chaos. An important
sign is an overall sense of calm and peace even during life’s storms. This
does not imply that they are free of emotions or pain; rather, their faith
provides a stable inner foundation that helps them process challenges
without being overwhelmed. They invest time in prayer, meditation, and
reflection, leading to a continuous renewal of their inner life. This habit allows
them to assess their actions, refine their understanding of scripture, and
remain committed to growth. Engaging in thoughtful conversation, asking
insightful questions when appropriate, allows others to examine their values,
spiritual practices, and life goals. Their responses can provide clues about
the depth of their spiritual journey. A person who speaks thoughtfully about
topics like forgiveness, purpose, and the nature of God is often more
spiritually minded. This is bringing a soul to Christ. A spiritually minded
discerning person listens for depth over superficiality. Their discussions
move beyond surface-level topics. Spiritually minded individuals tend to
reference inner growth, reliance on divine wisdom, or personal
transformation rather than merely reciting doctrinal statements.
Discernment of spiritually minded individuals is not about judgment or
superficial evaluation - it’s about understanding the deeper workings of a
person’s heart and seeing how their inner life shapes their external actions.
By observing consistent integrity, compassionate service, humility, and a life
directed by prayer and reflection, we can gain insight into who is genuinely
guided by spiritual values. Ultimately, enhancing our own spiritual
discernment through consistent prayer, meditation, and honest self-reflection
will empower us to better recognize and appreciate these qualities in others.
This approach ensures that we’re seeing beyond mere appearances to the
true, transformative essence of a spiritually minded individual. This is a sure
test of our understanding God’s call to purpose.
God’s desire for spiritually minded people is rooted in His overarching plan
to restore, transform, and redeem a broken world. In essence, He needs
individuals who are aligned with His truth and values to serve as His agents
of light, reflection, and renewal. According to scripture, human beings are
made in God’s image. This unique spiritual nature is meant to mirror His
character. When people intentionally cultivate a life that is focused on His
presence and principles, they become visible examples of God’s love,
justice, compassion, and holiness. In doing so, they help reveal the “good
news” of who God is to others. Essentially, spiritually minded people reflect
the divine character back into a world that desperately needs to see beauty,
truth, and light as they advance God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God is not
just a future hope but a present reality unfolding through those who are
spiritually transformed. Spiritually minded individuals are crucial. They
choose values that stand in stark contrast to the prevailing, often destructive,
cultural norms. They are a living testimony that invites others to embrace a
more purpose-driven, righteous life, serving as vessels of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual discernment is the God-given ability to distinguish His voice from
the clamor of everyday life. Spiritually minded people are more attuned to
the guidance of the Holy Spirit because they prioritize intimacy with God.
This alignment enables them to discern truth from error. In a world filled with
competing ideologies and often misleading philosophies, being rooted in the
Spirit allows believers to make decisions that honor God’s truth; to guard
against deception. Their refined sense of discernment not only protects them
but also equips them to lead others out of confusion or moral error. By
walking in the Spirit, they can counsel and guide others through the
complexities of life, offering hope and direction that reflect divine wisdom.
God’s redemptive plan is centered on the restoration of humanity and the
renewal of all creation. Spiritually minded individuals play a significant role in
this divine mission. When their inner lives are transformed by God’s grace,
these individuals naturally become ambassadors of His kingdom. Their
transformed lives testify to the power of the Gospel. They inspire others with
their testimony of change - marked by humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial
love - serving as a catalyst that attracts others to the transformative love of
God. Through intentional engagement in faith communities and service
projects, spiritually minded people help create environments where genuine
discipleship and mutual support flourish. The world is marked by
brokenness, despair, and moral decay. God calls spiritually minded people
to be beacons of hope and resilience amid these challenges. Their spiritually
enriched lives provide comfort and assurance by living out a deep-seated
trust in God. They offer a compelling alternative to fear, anxiety, and
disillusionment. And they show that true hope is not found in temporary fixes
but in a relationship with a sovereign, loving God who redeems every aspect
of life. God needs spiritually minded people because they act as His
reflections on earth. They mirror His character - demonstrating love, integrity,
and humility. They advance God’s kingdom by standing apart from cultural
norms and directing their lives toward eternal values. They operate as
vessels of the Holy Spirit, discerning truth and offering guidance in a
confusing world. They fulfill Christ’s redemptive purpose by proclaiming the
prophetic truths that serve to gather God’s election. This…a test of hearing
the word of God.
When individuals choose to live intentionally in accordance with God’s truth,
they not only transform their own lives but also provide a living testimony that
points others to the hope and restoration found in Him. In this way, spiritually
minded people are essential for the realization of God’s plan for a redeemed
and renewed creation. This comprehensive perspective shows that
spiritually minded individuals are not merely passive recipients of grace; they
are active participants in God’s ongoing work to bring light, truth, and renewal
to a hurting world.
📖 Applying the Study
For ongoing spiritual encouragement and prophetical insights, visit Higher Learning.
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