Applying what you know

Have you ever had to “show your work” in school, on a test or on your homework? Many times especially in math, I’ve had to “show my work” or apply what I knew to a test. It wasn’t always easy because I felt so much pressure on trying to do it right, or get the right answer. I was focused more on what grade I would get rather than what I’ve learned to get me to pass the test.

You may not be in school now, but you are still taking tests. In some way or the other you are being tested or will be tested. Often times as a Christian, our faith is tested, our integrity is tested and our knowledge about Christ is tested. The question is will we apply what we know to these tests? Or will we let the pressure of the test cause us to forget?

In school the only way to know is to pay attention to the teacher, take notes and study. On our Christian journey, our relationship with Christ we have to know who he is. You can’t have faith in a person you don’t know about. We have to set aside time with Christ (no matter how “young” or “old”). We have to seek his face, we should never be content with our relationship with God, and we should always want more, and more of him. We have to know the characteristics of God.

We know that God is Omniscient (all knowing Psalms 147:5), omnipotent (God has no limitations Job 42:2) omnipresent (God see’s everything Jeremiah 23:24) Immutable (God can’t change Malachi 3:6) Holy (Psalms 99:9) Righteous (1 John 1:9) Sovereign, Love, Trinity (God in 3 persons. The Father, The son and The Holy Ghost) and Merciful.

We should also know the fruits of the spirit(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

We have to study God’s word and remember what he has ALREADY done for you. We have to remember that God is the same God that he was back during these stories in the bible, and the same he was yesterday. Nothing we face should make us forget who God is. Nobody knows who God has been to you, but you and you have to hold on to that and never lose sight of it!

When I’m “being tested” or in facing a situation, if I don’t shut the negative thoughts down right away, they will continue to sneak in and try to make me forget what I know about God. That is what the devil wants; he wants us to focus on what’s going on now and not what we already know. - -Whatever you water, will grow- -. So we can’t “water” the negative thoughts or feelings because they will grow so big we won’t be able to see what we know to be there. We have to guard our hearts, especially when we are facing tough situations. Our thoughts should have to go through a “bouncer” or a “security check”. Anything negative or ratchet should not see the door to your mind. You have to shut it down!

Maybe it’s not even the pressure of the test, maybe it’s the distraction that’s occurring during the test. You know the kid (every class had one) that would use his pencil to tap on the desk, or always clearing their throat. Even if it’s for a moment, you a distracted while your “taking the test”. You can’t let the distractions of life get you off track or shake you while fulfilling your assignment. We have to remember we have to remember that if God has given us an assignment, nothing anyone can do to us will stop what God ordained. Nothing that can happen in the world will stop God’s work. God’s work will be done regardless and we have to be encouraged in knowing that he will see us through, the WHOLE way!

The word of God should be like comfort to us. When you’re getting “distracted” or feeling the pressure of life you have to turn to God and his word. Yes God has placed certain people in our lives to encourage us and speak positivity to us, but God should be the first one we seek for peace. Jesus has sent us another comforter in The Holy Spirit, so we will have to comfort we need!

Be encouraged! It happens to us all, we lose sight of things. We can’t let life get us off track. God is our first priority, if we keep him first and work on our relationship with him daily we will be fine!!

If you love someone tell them

I love you

Destaynee