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

Only One Light Of Salvation

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

                                                                                      (1 John 4:1-6 KJV)

There are many spirits; but, only one true God. We must be careful which one we are listening to and following. 

The One will lead you into the light of his presence. The others will lead you into the darkness. Everything may look all well and good; but, be careful. Discern carefully the spirits. They are not all looking out for you. As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor 11:14)

There is only one God who was willing to give his life for you. All others ask you to give them our lives. Jesus the Christ is our light and our salvation. Worship him and him alone!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Pardons Iniquity

 

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. 

                                                                                   (Micah 7:18-19 KJV)

Unfortunately, humankind does not pardon iniquity easily. We can hold a grudge forever and in doing so we bring about even more iniquity.  We usually cause more iniquity; we often sin when we are angry or hurt. 

Jesus tells us to love one another and not to hate even those who persecute you.

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

                                                                                   (Matt 5:44-45)

The Lord desires that we should forgive one another. But, we are not required to stay in situation or relationships that will provoke us to continue to live in a sinful manner. St. Paul wrote to the Romans: 

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Rom 16:17)

Micah tells us that God will subdue our iniquities. If God will do that for us; if God will forgive us our sins; why would we walk right back into that which inspires us to sin? Daniel could walk into a lions den and live. You and I should most probably not try that if we want to live. We should not test God. 

When the devil took Jesus up and set him on a pinnacle of the temple he told Jesus that if he really were the Son of God then he should jump and God will send His angels to save him.

"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matt 4:7)

If the very Son of God would not test his Father in heaven, neither should we.

Yet, when we do test God by going against His will, God is willing and able to pardon our iniquities. Unlike us, God does not retain his anger forever. Unlike us, He is always ready to be merciful. 

Forgive one another; but, try to stay out of situations that will require you to receive forgiveness yourself later. It will make life a whole lot easier to live.

May the God of mercy, subdue our iniquities and forgive us all of our sins.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Avoiding the Mire

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. (Psalm 69:14)

There is small spot on one of the islands in front of my home of sinking sand. It is a little over a foot wide; yet, it's a bit unnerving to accidentally step into it. As one's ankles and then calves become engulfed in sand you will not tarry. You will step out of it quickly and change your course just as fast. I do not know how much of a person it would swallow if one chose to test the sand. I have never desired to find out.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We go in ways that are dangerous to ourselves and may even be active in leading others in the wrong way, as well. We stray from the path that Jesus prepared for us and purposefully attempt to travel the path of the unrighteous. There are many dangers on this path that leads away from our Father's house and His will. Sinking in mucky, uncharted swamps is only one of them.

When we find ourselves in danger of sinking in the mire it is time to change course. It is time, to ask for God's help to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

If you find yourself alone and sinking fast know there is one who can rescue you. There is only one who can save you. Ask and He will lead you on the path of eternal life in His Kingdom. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rescue Me!

"Rescue me from the mire,
    do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
    from the deep waters."
                              Psalm 69:14 NIV

On one of the islands in front of my home in Aura there is a small spot of sinking sand. It is a little over a foot wide; yet, it's a bit unnerving to accidentally step into it. As one's ankles and then calves become engulfed in sand you will not tarry. You will step out of it as quickly as possible and change your course just as fast. I do not know how much of a person this sinking sand would swallow if one chose to test it. I have never desired to find out.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We go in ways that are dangerous to ourselves and may even be active in leading others in the wrong way, as well. We stray from the path that Jesus prepared for us and purposefully attempt to travel the path of the unrighteous. There are many dangers on this path that lead us away from our Father's house. Sinking in mucky, uncharted swamps is only one of them.

When we find ourselves in danger of sinking in the mire it is time to change course. It is time, to ask for God's help to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

If you find yourself alone and sinking fast know there is one who can rescue you. There is only one who can save you. Ask and He will lead you on the path of eternal life in His Kingdom. 

God's Peace - Pr. J