Bible Ballistics: BBs #435    Pop Quizzes Happen!!!

 

We all remember those times (long ago for some of us!!) when we would go to school and the teacher would announce: “We’re having a ‘pop’ quiz!” And most of us would be like a deer in headlights! Why? Because we weren’t prepared! We knew that we had been given an assignment, yet we thought we had “time” to prepare, and the “time” had run out, and we had to put or shut up—well, in reality we had to put up or get a failing grade.

Well, there is something way more important than a school quiz, and that is the life that we are living. We all make choices daily, and often seemingly insignificant choices can lead us to ends that aren’t what we expected. As we often hear, “Life happens” regardless of our preparedness! But we can prepare by looking to and trusting in Jesus Christ The Lord! He IS the only right answer to every life test or trial!

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience

have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth

to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.”   James 1:2-5

James reminded us that those “pop quizzes” come to grow our faith, and if we will but trust God with what is going on, we will develop confidence in Him and spiritual maturity in the process. We can make it through because God has us in His hands, and He will supply our every need, when we call on Him for wisdom, grace and power to respond rightly and in ways that bring HIM glory, and see the pitfalls before us!

I recently had a couple of experiences that have reminded me that God is faithful to meet us at the “exam” station to help us pass those ‘pop quizzes’! Our goal is to keep our focus on Jesus, and listen as He guides our steps by His precious Holy Spirit! Oh What A Savior!!!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.“    Hebrews 12:1-2

“Looking unto Jesus” is the joy of my life, for when those tests come, and they’ll come, HE always meets my needs, even when I’m totally unprepared for the specific test that comes—even when they’re totally unexpected! And He will be there for you, as we prepare ourselves by seeking His face continually, and digging into HIS Word! Here are some scriptures to ponder as we prepare for the “pop quizzes” of life—for they are coming. As someone has said about every believer, “they are coming out of a test, going into a test, or getting ready for one”! And that’s a pretty accurate observation—because those “quizzes” will come!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be

any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”   Psalm 37:23-24

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

And there are those times when we just have to cry out to Jesus as the father who asked Jesus to heal his son:

“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears,

Lord, I believe;

help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24 Amen!