Welp! I'm two days late, but here are my #churchnotes from Sunday, February 18, 2024.
- We can navigate our way forward through anything.
- We might not look like it or act like it, but all of us are going through something right now.
- We all have trials and tests.
- All of us go through things that we’d rather go around.
- What looks like will pull us apart, is really pulling us together.
Even in bad moments, God is still good.
1. Tests Will Prove Your Faith
- God wouldn’t give you a test, he didn’t think you could handle.
- Tests reveal whether your faith is genuine or counterfeit.
- Tests are of many varieties - sickness, financial difficulties, loss of family members, etc.
- It’s not if you’ll go through it, it’s HOW will you go through the test.
- Growing pains - we learn how to walk by falling and failing and we get back up.
- Persevere under trials, tests, troubles prove our faith.
2. Tests Prompt Our Prayers
“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of God’s willingness.”- Martin Luther
- When we pray, ask God for wisdom and let God reveal what’s happening and why.
- We serve a God who can turn a mess into a miracle.
- When you pray, don’t doubt because you’ll be unstable (double minded man)
- If I’m not careful, my way can get in God’s will for my life.
- God knows that he’s doing in your life.
- Praying for wisdom might not get you want but it’ll give you what you need.
3. Tests pierce our pride
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
- Life is short. Everything is temporary.
- The test and trials are not your end.
4. Tests and trials produce our promotion
- When you pass the test then you can level up.
- God’s tests get us treasure.
- God’s goal is not to crush you but to crown you.
- The trials and tests of this life prepare our crown for our next.
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12