As
the world is transitioning back into reopening on the downside of the current
Covid-19 pandemic, there is uncertainty about what’s going to happen and even
if this “nightmare” will reoccur. What
was once the reality is no longer in existence, causing us to rethink what
exactly were we trusting in anyway.
The
things that we thought were stable are gone. We now have to readjust our way of
living and how we go about daily life.
With
such being the case and out of our control, along with everything else we’re
dealing with, our faith is also being challenged. Sadly, we find ourselves making rash
decisions knowing it may not be the best or even God’s will, but out of fear we
do it anyway.
It’s
times like this when we need to see where our faith is being placed – in whom or in what are we relying on for our every move? Here are a few ways to tell where our hearts
are realistically.
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Life
Under Fire
In
any situation or circumstance that causes us to step back and take a good look
at what’s going on, there will be major life altering decisions that will
follow. Often times it will be things we
never anticipated or expected which leave us wondering if there really is a
God, where is He in all of this?
If
we’re honest with ourselves, the unknown is quite scary and we may find
ourselves believing things are getting worse.
Hope took an exit and reality has smacked us in the face with dreams
shattered or lost forever.
This
analysis may be so for many, but I’d like to point out this fact. For those who have accepted Jesus as Savior,
we have to understand that our life will always be under fire from the evil
one. We need to be reminded that we are a new creation and the old things in life that once consumed us are no longer
there.
The
Bible teaches that all things have become new for the individual who has given
their life to Christ.
That means,
troubles may still try to overwhelm us, but with the free gift of salvation
comes Holy Spirit power through the favor of God to defeat the ways of the
devil.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ (if you are a child of God’s), he/she is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
The
Amplified translation states it as an “awakening” spiritually that brings an
entire new life and way of thinking that is higher than the way the world sees
things.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ (that is, grafted in, joined to
Him by faith in Him as Savior), he/she is a new creature (reborn and renewed by
the Holy Spirit); the old things (the previous moral and spiritual condition) have passed away. Behold, new
things have come (because spiritual awakening brings a new life).”
Salvation
through Christ Jesus changes life for any believer, because of the love of God
and His unmerited grace (favor) on that individual. It opens doors that no one can open, altering
situations the world isn’t capable of understanding.
You
may be wondering why do I even need God’s favor anyway?
Why
do we need God’s favor, I’ve done pretty good on my own?
There
are tons of reasons, but I’ll give you just two for justification.
1
– Without faith it’s impossible to please Him, which leaves out any reward or
favor from God.
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God): for he that
comes to God must believe He is (God), and that He is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)
2
– It’s impossible to do anything without God (especially things that count
toward Heavenly rewards).
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much (Kingdom) fruit; for without Me you can do nothing …
with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
(from John 15:5 and Matthew 19:26 NKJV)
Three
Ways to Determine Your Faith Level
Here’s
where the rubber meets the road. If you
are not receiving the favor of God, there is a reason. It may be that your faith is not as solid as
you think, and if that is the case - do something to change!
Try these three ways to find out where your
faith levels really are.
#1
– Search. You may not like this and seriously
who does, but ask God to truly search your heart, and try or test you literally
in the way you are doing life currently! Are fear, anxiety or worry ruling your decisions causing you to do things
you would never do previously?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties;
and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
(Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV)
Other
translations worth noting are more specific in the request:
“Examine me, God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test! Know my
anxious thoughts.” (CEB)
“Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don’t let me follow evil ways, but lead me in
the way that time has proven true.” (CEV)
Do
I really want God to know all my deepest thoughts? Not really, but He knows them anyway, so why
not come clean!
“… prove me …” (DARBY)
“… Test me and know all my worries. Make sure that I am not going
the wrong way (that I don’t worship idols).
Lead me on the path that has always been right.” (ERV)
“… Test me and know my troubled thoughts. See if there is any way in me that causes
pain, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (EHV)
Wow
… prove and test me? I doubt I could
pass the exam! Is what I’m doing causing
pain to others because I’ve chosen the wrong path? Do I even want to know?
“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;
cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for
yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – then guide me on the road to
eternal life.” (MS)
Investigate
my life, cross-examine me! Who could
bear the inquisition? Any way you look at it, there is a request for God to do
a major inquiry as the individual does self-examination and soul searching.
If
you are at a roadblock in life and need a huge break to get back on track, only
the favor of God will get you to where you want to be. That will require some changes to be made,
and not on God’s end.
#2
– Test. Second Corinthians 13 reminds us
to regularly test or examine ourselves as to where we are putting our hope, trust
and faith. Is it in God, our job, our
own abilities or finances?
I’ve
been reading testimonies of where people have put their hope or trust and how
misguided it is. They’re relying on
learned skills, government, the kindness of strangers and “human innovation” –
smart people being able to make things better for everyone! Few have said that they’re seeking the Lord
for answers and never considered looking at their own heart.
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you? – Unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2
Corinthians 13:5 ESV)
Instead
of trusting God as a guide to the other side of troubles, hope in the goodness
of the Lord has become misplaced by what the world envisions. Unawares people step out of His grace and
favor, then wonder why things seem to be getting worse.
Wanting
to make things right with God means we have to acknowledge there is sin in our
lives. This is where the testing and
admitting becomes real!
Do
you remember a man named Job in the Bible?
There was a time in his life when everything fell apart; I mean
literally everything you could think of turned into a disaster from violent
storms, thievery and even death.
He
didn’t understand why such calamity and sorrow happened time after time causing
him to lose almost everything he loved and owned, but nonetheless, it
happened.
What
was so intriguing about this is that in all that happened Job never blamed God! He didn’t point a finger, but asked
the LORD to reveal anything he had done to remove the favor he once had on his
life.
“How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my rebellion (reveal my
transgressions) and my sin.” (Job 13:23 NASB)
Ask
God to make your sin, or rebellion and transgressions known to you, then repent.
3
– Submit. Offer your life as a sacrifice;
submit to the will of God and change your ways.
From
the very beginning God’s hand has been on this world and He knows who will
listen to Him. When Job entered the
throne room of God in prayer, he went in with a pure heart ready to accept
whatever consequences Jehovah would bring into his life. What he didn’t know at the time was that he
was being tested by satan with God’s permission!
God
wasn’t testing Job to see if his where his loyalty was, but it was to prove his
love for the Lord was pure regardless of whether or not he had wealth. When defending his loyalty to the Lord in
prayer, God challenged Job (twice) to see if his answers were from the heart
regarding his love for his Creator.
Job
didn’t follow God because of the favor he received, but vice versa. He received favor from God because he was in
right (righteous) standing with the Lord and repented for what was really in
his heart. (Job 42)
Despite
how his wife felt or what his friends thought, no matter what happened in his
life, Job always turned back to God and in doing so he returned to His favor. Jehovah God restored (doubled) his lost fortune
including giving him ten more children!
What
was Job’s secret to having the favor of God restored in his life? He soul searched, accepted the testing,
repented and submitted to the will of God in prayer. (Read Job 42:10-17)
“Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the LORD.”
(Lamentations 3:40 NASB)
“Let us examine our lifestyles, putting them to the test,
and turn back to the LORD.” (ISV)
This Week’s Challenge:
You Know What to Do
It’s true, life
probably won’t be the same as we’re used to, but that doesn’t mean it cannot
turn out in our favor and be even better.
Nothing will ever happen that God isn’t aware of, nor is there anything
He cannot work out for our good.
Maybe you’re in that
place where you’ve lost everything you invested in life, including a job,
family, home, position … and probably even more because of this global
crisis. If so, then now you know what to
do to return to God’s favor!
Search –
Test – Submit!
“Let us
search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:40 KJV)
Confess to the Lord
that you need Him … you’ve messed up, missed Him and have failed to seek His
face for help and forgiveness. Why wait?
Do it now.
“If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV)
Jesus
promises He will forgive you. Through His Righteousness He will put you back in
right standing with God, returning you to His favor!
Until next time, return
to God’s favor!
“Favor is on the other side of repentance.”
- Jesus
Christ
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used a
treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
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Disclaimer
Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Scripture
reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible
Hub.
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s)
privacy.
Note:
When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because
we give him no place in our lives.
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Fear, Pandemic, Submission, Repentance, Kay Arthur, Testing, Promises of God, Forgiveness
