ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

The Test

John 14.23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 

24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 

Today is test day. Do you recall being eight years old and dreading the spelling test because you did not know some of the words? Do you recall staying up all night to study for a college examination? If you are still in school, these words may cause your heart to beat a little faster...but these tests are of relatively minor importance compared to the test of our love for Christ.

Each day is a test day. Our obedience to Christ demonstrates our love. Will we obey Him today regardless of the circumstances, regardless of how we feel, regardless of what others are doing? Will we obey Him today because we love Him? That is the test. If we pass it, we will live in His presence. Let us help each other to pass the test.

Hebrews 3.13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 

Dear Father, we love You and we want to be obedient children today. Help us to be strong in Christ and to encourage each other to demonstrate our love for Him each day. Forgive us for our failures as we forgive others. We are so grateful for Your grace that enables us to live in Your presence. Help those who are hurting. We ask this through Christ, the Beloved. Amen.

1 John 5.14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 

Only God can know HOW our prayers WORK but we believe HE answers. Please write me to add names to the prayer list and to report changes in status.

Let us be thankful and prayerful!

Love
Brad Forgy