are you being tested - part quatre

Well, I trust that this week on the subject of testing has shown us all that the trials we go through are for a purpose.

God tests us to succeed. Satan tempts us to fail.

Again, David writes, "Test me, O Lord...examine my heart and my mind." Psalms 26:2

Let's look at three other tests that God uses to develop us.

There's the test of small things - when we are asked to do something that is "beneath" our ability and potential.

It shows what kind of a servants heart we have. Jesus said in Mark 10:45, "for the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

He also said, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." (Luke 16:10)

One of the frustrating things I deal with is the idea that comes from time to time to faithful, godly people in the kingdom. They feel God leading them to "go into the ministry."

First of all, they ARE in the ministry. Everyone is a minister. But secondly, if it is really God calling us into some kind of full-time ministry, he watches to see how faithful we are right now with the ministry we have.

That leads us to another test - the motive test.

It's the test that examines our hearts to see if we are doing the right things, for the right reasons.

For instance, it's good to pray.

It's right.

Yet Jesus warns, "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites, for they love..to be seen by men."

What's frustrating is that sometimes WE don't even know why we do certain things. That's why we need the mirror of God's Word.

When you and I stand before Christ to be evaluated and rewarded, the question will not just be WHAT did you do, but WHY did you do it?

Why are you doing what you do?

Great question.