tests

A Test of Trust and Loyalty

Dr. Mike 2026, Life Tools , , , , , ,

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” Proverbs 17:3

What does God want from you and me now in life? Why does HE test our hearts? What is he testing us for? Does HE want us simply to follow the rules and religious ways given to us? Or is there more?

How about those two important characteristics – trust and loyalty.

Is not trust the anchor of relationships? Is not loyalty the glue of organizational accomplishments? Are not both the heartbeat of God’s desire for you and me?

Are not both trust and loyalty expressed through the faith we exercise with Jesus? Are they not the byproduct of faith in action?

Throughout Scripture, people are always being tested by God. HE wants to confirm and also for us to know the condition of our hearts. It started with Adam and Eve. One test. One very noticeable failure. Abraham was tested. Would he sacrifice his one and only son. Moses was tested. Would he face Pharaoh on behalf of Yahweh. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tested. They would rather die than disobey their Lord. Saul was tested as king of Israel. He failed. David was tested for thirteen years before he replaced Saul as king.

Jesus was even tested in the wilderness. He could have had all his earthly desires fulfilled without trusting God’s timeline. But HE chose to wait and live out HIS Father’s will. Peter was tested and failed three times when he denied Jesus. But God’s grace empowered him when he repented with Jesus on that beach after the resurrection. Judas also was tested and failed. Rather than repent, he chose the cowardly way out of the situation and hung himself.

There are many other examples.

At the end of the day, it’s not what you know nor what you even do. Instead, can God trust you? As an agent of HIS, can HE send you to the furthest corner of the universe and know you will do what is best per HIS character? If the enemy makes an enticing offer to you, will you accept or be loyal to HIM?

Trust and loyalty are character strengths that are verified through battle. Each battle is a test. Each day when temptation comes to break the trust you and HE have developed; do you go the way of Judas or Jesus? When the adversary makes you an offer to join his side of the campaign, do you sell your loyalty for personal gain?

Yes, your faith is being tested each day. Every day you are either strengthening your relationship with Jesus or not. Like a marriage for life, you commit to make the relationship work. You do not enter situations that may endanger the trust you have built with your Lover. You may not like everything about the situation you are in, but you also know you are in good hands.

You have a relationship with the Lord of Lords. It doesn’t get any better than that. His grace is sufficient to help us hang unto HIM. Everything else is secondary no matter how well package or marketed to you. Let your loyalty and trust always be only in the God-Man from Galilee.

Make HIM your spiritual sole mate and your soul and spirit will prosper. Let your trust and loyalty be found solely in HIM and nothing else.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Test Me

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , , ,

“but test everything; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

In elementary and high school, I hated tests. For a student unmotivated to learn, test revealed my inadequacies. I would rather be outside playing sports or earning money. These were the things I was good at and continued to build up my confidence. Education was not then for me.

But things changed in college. I had purpose and motivation. Taking tests help discover my strengths and weaknesses. Tests help me adjust focus in those areas that needed improvement. Tests also revealed those areas that open my mind to greater possibilities.

My heart for tests became even more ingrain after studying the Bible on the subject. I came across Scriptures like these below:  

“Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.” Psalm 26:2

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10

I then struggle with the Scriptures where Jesus refuted those who put God to the test.

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:7

Or where Peter condemned a person for testing God.

 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”  Acts 5:9

Yet, God tests people.

“you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 13:3

“And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.” Luke 8:13

And we are told to test ourselves.

“But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” Galatians 6:4

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” 2 Corinthians 13:5

We are also told to test outside influences.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

We are told to test God. And we are also instructed not to test God. How do we know when to test and when not to test?

The answer has to do with your attitude and motive. It is an issue from your heart. If your heart is pure and intentionally longing to serve our God, you are open to test everything. Yet, if your testing is with the intent of proving HIM wrong and you right, you may have a heart problem.

Scientist test everything with the intention of discovering the truth. They go where the facts and results prove true. There heart is not to make someone look bad or to destroy someone. But to grow in knowledge that will benefit others. They first make a hypothesis. They then randomly test the process, and compare the results with their original hypothesis. They continue to repeat the process until the same results appear. Then they know their hypothesis is true.

Tests are good when you are open to the results. God is not fearful that you will discover him a phony or a failure. HE knows reality because HIS character is reflected in reality. HE is encouraged and rooting for you to discover the truth of the matter. Put HIM to the test. But be sure your heart is willing to repent and change if the truth is more than you initially believed.

We have all been there. Truth gets you closer to God. And God gets you closer to reality.

So, test God’s practices in your family and business. Learn HIS ways and see the fruit. Be willing to ride out the trials you are currently experiencing with the heart to see God at work.

Tests are good. They reveal you, your relationship with God and others, and the foundation of your life. So, test everything with the attitude of learning how to practice God’s best. Where you fail, make changes to improve. Where you are successful, learn to add greater value in the lives of others. When unsure, lean on HIM. HE will direct your steps and support you as you lean on HIM. Meanwhile, test everything and hold unto that which is good.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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A Test of Your Joy

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.  Luke 8:13

Often I heard Dallas Willard respond with the following words to someone in a difficult period in their life. He would reply with the phrase, “this will definitely test your joy.” In many ways, it was his way of acknowledging a difficult situation. A place in life where pain and suffering leads to an unknown outcome. A time where one’s faith is being tested. Where God’s intervention is necessary to fix the problem.

In the above Scripture, Jesus was explaining a parable to his disciples. One of the challenges for those who hear God’s Word is when testing comes along. Initially, one is excited to learn new truth that helps transform one’s life. But when a difficult situation arises, one is being tested. One then is confronted by the truth. A choice needs to be made. God’s Word meets your desire. Truth confronts your willpower. Does your willpower win the test? Or does your desire quiet truth?

Jesus faced a similar test prior to HIS public ministry (Lk. 4:1-12). HE was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face Satan. Satan attacked Jesus with doubt of HIS identity. He offered Jesus the convenience of satisfying HIS kingly role immediately. Why fulfill Scripture per HIS Father’s will when you can have it now? This was Jesus’ temptation. The result is HE passed the test. 

Every one of us will face similar tests throughout our life. We will pass them and we will fail them. When passed, it will energize and assure us in our walk with Jesus. When we fail the test, God’s grace will be upon us. HE will reveal something about us that needs transformation. It will keep us humble. It will keep us leaning on HIM. It will give us a ringside seat to see how the Spirit works in us and through us.

When one is committed for the long haul, one views each test as a building block. We keep plowing ahead making adjustments toward the high call of Christ. If we are in this only for immediate gratification, we risk quitting right before the goal line.

The fruit of the Spirit includes joy. As we learn to walk empowered by the Spirit, we will be tested. Each test will reveal more about our character. Each test may temporarily rob us of our joy. Yet, as we make the effort in our life to align with the Triune God, the Spirit will give us the power to walk in Christ.

Tests are God’s way of allowing us to evaluate our true selves. Under the empowerment of HIS grace, we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us after the likeness of Jesus. Each failed test, is a course adjustment. More time to reflect on God’s character and lean on HIM.

Each passing test, is a grateful praise for the work of the Spirit in our lives. We are humbled by Christ’s work in us. For HIS joy is our constant reminder. Whether we pass or fail the test, it is better to walk with HIM then not. For when you are committed for the long haul, HE has a way of bringing out HIS joy in you through all the tests.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats: (* indicates audio version now available)

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