WORD OF THE WEEK - TEST - 1-11-26 (osnewton@wow-newton.com)

DEFINITION: is any method used to measure, evaluate, or determine something—such as knowledge, ability, health, quality, or performance.

Scriptures:
Psalm 66:10 - “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.”
Deuteronomy 8:2 - “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”
James 1:2-4 - “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  

Website:  www.wow-newton.com

Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

DEFINITION: is any method used to measure, evaluate, or determine something—such as knowledge, ability, health, quality, or performance.
Scriptures:
Psalm 66:100(0%) - “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.”
Deuteronomy 8:20(0%) - “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”
James 1:2-40(0%)- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

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“Are You Ready for the Test?”
It’s the beginning of a new year—a season of transition, reflection, and resolutions. A time when many of us look back at where we’ve been and try to decide where we’re going. And if we’re honest, many of those resolutions won’t make it past the first few months of the year.
For students, this season often marks the start of a new semester. Based on last semester’s results, some will continue on their chosen path, others will change direction, and some may decide to step away altogether and find a job.
For many of us, this time of year also comes with another kind of evaluation. Blood tests. Metabolic tests. X-rays. MRIs. Physical exams. Mental and emotional assessments. Strength and endurance tests. These results don’t just tell us where we are today—they often influence the decisions we make about the rest of our lives.
Waiting for test results can produce a special kind of anxiety. The kind of anxiety that reminds us why God instructs us to cast our cares on Him. These tests reveal our condition. They help predict outcomes, diagnose problems, and determine what actions might be needed to improve, stabilize, or change the direction of our lives.
Sometimes, after taking a test, we are required to take it again—to see if we have learned what’s necessary to achieve a better outcome. And sometimes, when we don’t have the knowledge, resources, or support we need, we’re forced to confront the possibility of failure.
Whether you are a person of faith or not, tests are part of the human condition.
A foot race is a test. A battle is a test. A relationship is a test. A medical diagnosis is a test.
We are tested at school, on the job, in learning a new skill, in finding a mate, in overcoming illness, in solving problems, and in simply getting through difficult days and seasons of life. If you passed the first test—making it through the birth canal—you can be sure that life will continue to test you.
For those of us who walk by faith, we understand that our relationship with our Creator, our Deliverer, and our Guide grows stronger as we endure and overcome these tests. The more difficult the test, the more deeply we are required to rely on God.
And as we face these tests, many of us find ourselves wrestling with questions like these:
-  If I cast my cares on God, why am I still anxious while I wait?
- Why does God call me to purpose, yet make that purpose so hard to identify?
- Why does God allow difficult, unreasonable, or deceptive people to stand in the      way of what I have been called to do?
And perhaps one of the most relevant questions for people of faith today—
- Why does God allow us to be deceived by those who profess to believe His Word?
These are questions I’ve wrestled with myself.And now—here we are.
Over the next few weeks, I invite you to search the Word with me as we seek God’s answers—answers He will reveal to us individually and collectively.

Are you ready for the test?
The first word we will examine is ANXIETY.  I invite you to share your perspective with me by email at osnewton@wow-newton.com
Each week, I will share your insights along with what God has revealed to me in the next edition of Word of the Week.  It will be published by email (for subscribers) and on the podcast by 5:00 pm Monday of each week.
Share this with others.Discuss it in Bible study.Or work through it on your own.
Let’s see what God has in store for us.  I believe God is going to meet us in this journey!