Standing Inside The Fire

Cassie Standing Inside The Fire
Photo by Uncle "John Arthur Photography"

"And I will put this third into the fire, refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'” Zech 13:9

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She can still be a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as hard as she could. Although it helps us to grow, the refining process is not all that easy to endure. However, it doesn't do much good to try to avoid it because  when we try to avoid it the fire just seems to get all the more hot.

Refining is not a quick and easy thing. It continues throughout our lives here on earth. We can grow in Him pretty slowly as we reject what we have learned through the process of refining.

Thankfully, He is patient and loves all of his children and continues always to soften our hearts toward Him so that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining then to never step inside those refining fires. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old we can live life joyfully saying, "The Lord is my God." He has got me to this day and to who I am.

Life is much more pleasant when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. Focus on truly living life in Christ and you will know joy and peace no matter what fires you might find yourself in.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:

Standing outside the fire

Standing outside the fire

Life is not tried it is merely survived

If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires. Have faith that God is with you always, working in and through you, even in and  particularly through those fires.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Standing Inside The Fire

Cassie Standing Inside The Fire
Photo by Uncle "John Arthur Photography"

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. (Zech 13:9 KJV)

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She can still be a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as well as she could. Thankfully, God is patient and loves all of his children; continuing always to soften our hearts toward Him that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining then never to step inside those refining fires. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old, we can joyfully say, "The Lord is my God."

For most of her life, I have reminded Cassie to "live life." Life is much more pleasant when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. Focus on truly living life in Christ and you will know joy and peace.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:

Standing outside the fire 

Standing outside the fire 

Life is not tried it is merely survived 

If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires. God is with you even in those fires. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is With You Every Day

This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. (Psalm 119:50 KJV)

Do you find yourself depressed? Alone? Do troubles plague you so that you feel like you cannot take another step? Turn to Lord and his promises. Hear his word. He promises to love you and be with you forever. He is your good shepherd who will take you by the hand and lead you through any fires that threaten to destroy. Do not despair. The Lord is with you and for you.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 KJV)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Standing Inside The Fire

Cassie Standing Inside The Fire
Photo by Uncle "John Arthur Photography"

And I will put this third into the fire,
    refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call on my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, “They are my people”;

    and they will say, “The Lord is our God.”

                                                    (Zech 13:9 NRSV)

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She is still a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as well as she could. Thankfully, God is patient and loves all of his children continuing always to soften our hearts toward Him that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not always easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining than never to step inside those refining fires. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old, we can joyfully say, "The Lord is my God."

For most of her life, I have reminded Cassie to "live life." Life is not only much more pleasant; but, exciting as well, when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. When we focus on truly living life in Christ, then we will know an abundant life; even while standing inside the fire.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:
     Standing outside the fire 
     Standing outside the fire 
     Life is not tried it is merely survived 
     If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires. God is with you even in those fires. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Build Up The Church

Preaching in Laskela, Russia years ago, it was necessary to
have two translators: Russian (on my right); Finnish
(on my left). The Church of Christ is bigger than any
one congregation or denomination!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thess 5:11 NIV)

There are enough negative things  happening and being said in the world without there being so many negative and disrespectful things going on in the Body of Christ. Some congregations spend so much time disrespecting the leadership and others in their congregations that there ends up being very little time left to do the work the Lord has called us to do. The leadership is too busy putting out fires. If a congregation has no time to proclaim the Gospel; to reach out to the sick and the suffering, then what kind of fellowship are they really? Are they Christian?

We must always remember that there are more members in the Body of Christ, in the Church, than just those who physically fellowship with us on Sunday mornings. God has called multitudes around the world to be His children. It would behoove us to remember that when we are judging (intentionally or unintentionally) people around the world; when we are judging who we should encourage and support or not that Jesus commanded us to go out and make disciples of all people. (Matt 28:16-20) Making disciples of Jesus means encouraging not discouraging people to follow and become a fellow brother or sister in Christ.

Christ died so that all people might be reconciled to our Father in heaven and to one another through him. He died and he calls us to be willing to give of ourselves for the building up of His Body, which is the Church. He died to make us one in Him. Let us live and serve as one Body no matter who we are or what we do or where we live or where we worship. Let us continue to encourage one another for the building up of the Church to the glory of our Holy Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Refining Fires

"And I will put this third into the fire,
    refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call on my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, 'They are my people';
    and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'” Zech 13:9

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She can still be a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as well as she could. Thankfully, God is patient and loves all of his children continuing always to soften our hearts toward Him that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining then never to step inside the refining fires of God. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old, we can joyfully say, "The Lord is my God."

For most of her life, I have reminded Cassie to "live life" and most importantly to "live life in Christ." Life is much more pleasant when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. Following in the way that he would have us go and focusing on truly living life in Christ and not so much in the ways of this world and you will know true joy and peace.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:
     Standing outside the fire 
     Standing outside the fire 
     Life is not tried it is merely survived 
     If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires of God. But, recognize that if you find yourself standing in them God is desiring for you to get through them and put them behind you so that you can live life in Christ. God is with you even in those fires. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J