Challenges

Challenges

What are some of the ways God challenges me?

God’s Response

Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this, the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions. Mark 10:21-22

Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections. Psalm 26:2

God challenges you to take the “heart” test. He wants you to examine your heart, that is, to test your motives to discover what you value most. If God is usually an afterthought, if just a little time or money is given to your church and to God’s work, you have to ask if you are passing his test. Another part of the “heart” test is how you react to problems that interrupt your life. Do they drive you to ask God for help, or do you usually try to solve them without even thinking about God? Perhaps the biggest part of the test is to ask yourself whether you could do it if God asked you to give away everything you have to follow him. These are some of the ways God challenges us. How are you handling the test?

God’s Promise

I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. Ezekiel 36:26