SWHW Bible Reading Plan: October 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Jessica Hottle:

Have your friendships been tested?
Has your love for God been on trial?
Does your flesh rage the war against your spirit saying you are not good enough?

When we read through 1 Peter, we read about trials and rejoicing in them. We read about endurance and trials by fire. 

But, the key words I want us to pay attention to are "testing of your faith."

James 1:2-3 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." 

The friendship hurt that feels heavy, the conversation you had recently, or the situation you are experiencing can all feel like a trial, but at the same time, they test our faith. 

Who or what do we put our hope in to help us? Where do we run first? Is this situation challenging our faith and what we believe? 

Our situations test our faith.

The enemy will use anything to try and test our loyalty. As the accuser and the deceiver, he can change the lens of how we see our situations which causes us to doubt if God really cares or is there.  

When life feels like a burning fire, remember to stay steady through the burn because when a fire doesn't have something to burn, it goes out. You can choose not to put any more wood on the fire of your trial. 

Let this trial produce steadfastness. 

Father, teach me to love like You in my relationships. When I abide in You, I bear much fruit. Help me to see the areas that need pruning so I can bear more fruit. Show me how to walk in Your ways and not my own. In Jesus name, Amen!