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

Feed My Sheep

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

                                                                               (John 21:15-18 KJV)

When Jesus was being questioned and tortured; when he was being tried; Peter had denied knowing him three times. Now, Peter is called to affirm that he truly does love Jesus the same number of times that he had denied him. What is more, Jesus tells him to feed his flock; show the world that he is his follower by feeding his lambs, feeding his sheep. He is to go forth, following in Jesus' footsteps, doing the things that he has done. He is to feed his people both physically and spiritually. He is to follow Jesus and take up his cross, even to death and Peter will die for following and proclaiming the Good News that Jesus died and yet lives.. 

We too, have denied Jesus in many ways and for many more times than Peter did. What will we do to show the world that we truly love the one who was willing to die for the sins of all people? How will we testify to this great love? Will we take up our cross? Will we follow? Will we feed his sheep along the way?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Attitude Like Christ

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:5-6 NIV)

Jesus did not die for just you or just me. He did not put himself before us when he was tried and crucified. He could have left the area. Instead, he went to Jerusalem knowing what would happen. He could have tried to defend himself. But, he did not. He was not acting to protect himself. He was acting to save us.

Likewise, Paul encourages the Christians in Rome and us to have the same attitude of mind that Christ Jesus had for others; for us.

May God help us to always consider the good of others before our own personal desires so that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J