[March 24, 2024] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your Faith] 1 Peter 4:12.
The purpose of trials in our lives is to test our character and show us what’s in us. Every time someone cuts you off in traffic, every person who gets on your nerves, every time you’re tempted to be jealous, critical, or pay someone back is not a random challenge. That’s God testing the quality of your Faith.
That’s an opportunity to grow, to come up higher, to show Him that you can handle more influence, more favor, more responsibility. The problem with failing the test is that you’re going to have to keep retaking the test until you pass.
When you’re rude to someone who’s been rude to you, when you get upset every time you get stuck in traffic, when you’re jealous over a friend who got a promotion, you don’t pass, and you’re going to have to take the test again. It’s not going to go away. God is going to keep testing your quality. He loves you too much to let you stay at one level. Start passing the test and rise higher.
Failure to trust God was at the heart of the first sin (Genesis 3:1–7). Ever since the fall of man, God has been calling people back to Faith—to a place of trust and obedience to Him.
Faith resides at the core of Christianity and the Christian life. While the Bible has much to say about it, Faith is a challenging concept to define. A Biblical definition of Faith reaches beyond mere belief—the simple acknowledgment that God exists—into the realm of trust. Genuine Faith involves abandoning all human reliance on self-efforts and placing total dependence upon God’s character, His actions, and His promises, as revealed in His Word.
Faith has many dimensions. One crucial facet of Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Biblical Faith takes present-day possession of things not yet seen with our eyes but hoped for in the future. What God has revealed in His Word becomes our inner reality today. Rather than looking at life with our earthly eyes, Faith sees through the lens of God’s promises.
The apostle Paul said, “We walk by faith and not sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith does not put trust in bank account balances, headline news, or the doctor’s report. “We don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT). When the world seems to be falling apart, our Faith stands secure on the rock-solid, trustworthy promises of God and His Word.
Faith begins with God. It is His gift, not the result of any human effort or achievement. God initiates the relationship between Himself and humans by revealing Himself to them.
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
The Bible plainly teaches that Faith is not just a mental attitude. James explains that saving Faith is revealed in a person’s actions. He writes, “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works” (James 2:26, NLT). Good works are proof that our Faith is alive.
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Another superb article by Eddie Gilliam. Thank you, sir.
I’m honored to bring these spiritual articles to you by my good friend Eddie Gilliam. He has graciously agreed to write these for your reading education and pleasure and life journey. Today’s article is spot-on for many reasons and myself being a retired foot Soldier with many years in combat, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Tks my friend Gen Douglas. It’s a great pleasure to be available to write the inspirational blogs for you and your blogger.
My pleasure Eddie.
I am happy to see so many of the wonderful people who read this blog by Gen. Satterfield and write comments that are not crazy and no cussing or insulting others. So rare these days.
God Bless, General Satterfield and Mr. Eddie Gilliam.
Lady Hawk.
You are so right. My friend Gen Douglas Satterfield does not allow cussing and sour comments on his blog.
Another excellent blog post by Eddie Gilliam. I’ve become a big fan of his writings and they certainly inspire. Let us never forget that we are always being tested. Sometimes those “tests” are difficult and we might not think we will succeed. But you will have the strength to overcome those tests if you believe in God the Almighty. Keep the faith. Live a good life. Be strong. Stand with those who cannot defend themselves. This is what Gen. Doug Satterfield tells us often in his words written here. Also be sure to get a copy of his book “55 rules for a good life” and you will see how this works out in practice.
so very true. ableist mas. thnak you
Jerome, great to have you back on Gen. Satterfield’s blog. We miss you.
✝️ With today being Palm Sunday and Mr. Eddie Gilliam writing such a wonderful piece, we all are humbled by His presence in us. ✝️
Keep the faith.
Do not be deterred by fear or evil. You walk with God. So do not be afraid.
❤ Love of Him is good. ❤
Excellent comment s
Thank you sir!
Excellent article today.
Mr. Eddie, thank you! This is a wonderful tribute to God. Indeed, our faith will be tested. Be strong, my friend.
Today is Palm Sunday and we are all here because of the holiness of our Father and his son Jesus. Let us never forget that we are his children and should act in such a way that honors Him.
🙏🏽 Be not afraid 🙏🏽
You will achieve victory over your loss of faith and return to the One that is Holy.
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Emily Baker
Yes it is Palms Sunday. Jesus riding on a donkey 🫏 with the people laying out Palms 🌴 leaves saying Honassa.
As we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, we now mark the beginning of Holy Week. God Bless all of you and God Bless the greatest nation on this earth, the United States. I’m standing with those who are frail, weak, afraid, and unhappy. I stand with them to help them return to the faith they may have lost. I will always be with you.
.. and let us never forget that God sees all of us and believes in us. We must also believe in Him and be blessed.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you all.
TODAY marks the start of Holy Week. The most sacred week of the Christian year includes the Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus’ crucifixion story and death, and our belief in his resurrection on Easter. Palm Sunday commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches that they set out on the ground along His path. God bless everyone.