Stand The Test | Daily Devotional 1607

You're listening to my morning devotional podcast, episode 1607. Today's Devo is called Stand the Test.

Hey there, we're the Alesssies, a ministry family working together in our church in Miami, Florida. And if you're like us, when days get busy and to-do lists get longer, it can be hard to find devotional time. That's why we've partnered with our friend Allison to produce a five-minute daily dose of heaven. This is the My Morning Devotional Podcast.

Good morning, everybody, and happy Tuesday. Welcome to another episode of My Morning Devotional Podcast. My name is Rochelle Alesi, and I get the privilege of being your host this week. Like I mentioned yesterday, this entire month, we're going to be going through the book of James. And there is five books in the book of James, and each of us are going to take one chapter and read it. And so it's going to be super awesome. And the fifth book is actually going to be a bonus episode. So stay tuned as we go through the entire book of James. And guys, also, I just want to remind you that we have now a men's morning devotional podcast. So to any men in your life, please, please, please share that podcast. We're going to have it linked on this episode because it's blessing the lives of many, many men. And we want to make sure their community grows. We have had many listeners on this podcast, men and women, but it's beautiful that our church has come together and put one for men that is really targeting what they need in their daily life. So men's morning devotional podcast, check it out. Send it to any men in your life. And I promise they are going to be blessed by it. So let's jump right in and to today's episode. And um, we called this episode Stand the Test. And we're going to be reading James 1, 9 through 12. And it says, believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position, but the rich should take pride in their humiliation, since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat, and it withers the plant. It blossoms, falls, and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to all those who love him. Let me read that again. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trials, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. This is so beautiful. And something that we need to take away from this is this what matters isn't your position or your possessions, but whether you remain faithful under pressure. Let me say that again. What matters isn't your position or your possessions, but whatever you remain faithful to, and when you can stand against pressure. This is such an incredible verse because this is showing us that many things will come, many things will fade away. But what stands is the people that have gone through the trials and they stood strong, they passed the test, they told the Lord, let this trial build something in me, and it's made them stronger. Those trials have not killed anyone, they have not been the winner of anything. In fact, these trials have been what makes somebody's core stronger. And the Bible actually says that blessed is the one who stands those trials because they will receive the crown of life, the crown that the Lord has for them, the things that the Lord has promised. We all have promises from the Lord, we all have desires, and we know that the Lord promises to fulfill those desires of our heart. It looks different for everybody, but that means that with every desire, there is a trial. That means that every big dream we have, there's some trials that we're gonna have to get through to get that specific desire, that specific dream. And the Lord helps us through that. Some of them are not caused by him, some things he uses to make us stronger. But as we go through these trials that are getting us to our dreams and our desires, they're only making us stronger. So the day that we finally arrive, the day that that job, that person comes into our life, the day that we're holding our baby, the things that we had to endure, the things that you aren't wanting, you're gonna hold them, you're gonna see them, you're gonna have them, and you're going to be strong enough now to steward those things. The Lord prepares you. Those trials are not awful or or bad. They're good for you. And it's so hard to say that because you're like, how is this good for me? This sucks. But I promise you, if you stand strong, if you believe the Lord, like we read yesterday, if you ask him for wisdom, he will give it to you generously. The Lord is with you, and you can stand whatever test is right in front of you because the Lord will give you what you need and the wisdom that you need. If you say, Lord, I'm in this, I will fight this battle because I know where I'm going and I'm going with you, and this all will be worth it on the other side. So, what matters isn't your possession or your positions, but whether you remain faithful under pressure and whatever you're going through. So let's pray. Father God, thank you so much for your promises. Thank you for being with us. Thank you for producing something in us where we are under pressure. But Lord, today we say our position and our possessions are not what tells us who we are, Father. We are going to stay strong in you. We are going to be conquerors, and that will determine who we are. It is you. We are builders, we are fighting, we are winning because you are with us. And so we thank you. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

So there you have it, your five minute daily dose of heaven. Thank you so much for tuning in today. We pray these devotionals empower you to take on your day. If you found value in this devotional, share it with a friend. Leave a comment or review for us on the app you're using right now. Until tomorrow, we pray that your latte is strong, but your love for Jesus is stronger.