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| Ah, Trials..... |
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As Michael and I are in the midst of a trial, as well as our church body, I find myself studying the Word for understanding about trials and their purpose in our walk.
4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. 4:17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 4:18 because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
We know that God works through our trials, that He can use them for good, and that He teaches us through them. We know that when His glory is revealed, that the spiritual growth and the blessings that follow will be immeasurable. And eternal! We know that our timing is not God's, and that what feels like an eternity to us as we go through it is really the blink of the eye to God.
1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
We know that in the midst of our trials He can give us peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding, and that from that, we can comfort others.
4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. 4:13 But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
We know that we should not be surprised when trials come our way, that trials come to all believers, and that we are to rejoice that we are sharing in Christ's sufferings. Once again, we know that glory is ours, and that joy will come in the morning.
3:3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the LORD.
This verse says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' The verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it. '
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
I will try to remember, as well! God has not forsaken us, but wants us to trust Him so that we can mature in our faith. He is in control, even when we can't see what His plan is. I can't wait to see what He's up to in my life and in my church! |
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| To add a comment to "Ah, Trials....." |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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| These words are very wise, and if anything anticipate more trials in life than what you are already experiencing. Those who do not expect these trials may find their faith crumbling when they come. Great post! |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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| Selah! Let us stop and think about that! Painful process, but beautiful is the outcome. Hang in there God is faifhful. |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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Mike and Brother Todd,
Thanks for the posts! I have, in the past, had my faith crumble when trials come, but NO MORE! God has brought me to a place where, though I am not quite ready to rejoice in my trials, I at least am accepting them as necessary to mold me into His likeness! Hallelujah! |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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| Painful and trying times do make us stronger. We usually learn something from those times, and that can later be used to help someone else. But it is still hard to go through the tough times. Once you get on the other side of them though, you can get perspective and realize you grew so much from the experience. |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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| Amen, Deb. Too bad we can't see the growth while we're going through it! |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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| And this too shall pass........words I live by :) |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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| GOOD BLOG~ |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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2 Chronicles 15:4:
4But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
Great Blog!
As hard as it is, we must keep our eyes on the Lord and seek him in the midst of our troubles. He is always there, and will never forsake us. |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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| its is so easy just to throw your hands up and never to return and what can you learn from that?? The lord is tryin to teach us something through all of this... I will be there for the outcome it's gonna be so good we won't be able to contain it!!!!!!! |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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Amen lady...keep pressing!
xoxo |
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| August 15, 2008 |
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Carol & Mike,
This was taken from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening ~ Thought you might like this... Thank you for this blog: I love the part about the Silversmith! Stuff that really sticks!
"I know their sorrows."
— Exodus 3:7 The child is cheered as he sings, "This my father knows"; and shall not we be comforted as we discern that our dear Friend and tender soul-husband knows all about us? 1. He is the Physician, and if He knows all, there is no need that the patient should know. Hush, thou silly, fluttering heart, prying, peeping, and suspecting! What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter, and meanwhile Jesus, the beloved Physician, knows thy soul in adversities. Why need the patient analyze all the medicine, or estimate all the symptoms? This is the Physician's work, not mine; it is my business to trust, and His to prescribe. If He shall write His prescription in uncouth characters which I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but rely upon His unfailing skill to make all plain in the result, however mysterious in the working. 2. He is the Master, and His knowledge is to serve us instead of our own; we are to obey, not to judge: "The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth." Shall the architect explain his plans to every hodman on the works? If he knows his own intent, is it not enough? The vessel on the wheel cannot guess to what pattern it shall be conformed, but if the potter understands his art, what matters the ignorance of the clay? My Lord must not be cross-questioned any more by one so ignorant as I am. 3. He is the Head. All understanding centres there. What judgment has the arm? What comprehension has the foot? All the power to know lies in the head. Why should the member have a brain of its own when the head fulfils for it every intellectual office? Here, then, must the believer rest his comfort in sickness, not that he himself can see the end, but that Jesus knows all. Sweet Lord, be thou for ever eye, and soul, and head for us, and let us be content to know only what Thou choosest to reveal. |
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| August 18, 2008 |
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Cindy, Brandi, Angela, Cheryl - I know you all are right! One day at a time!
Tonya - Thanks for the Spurgeon message...very timely for me! |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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| Carol..that was in the past and we have to put our behind in the past! Today is a new day and you are more than a conquerer through Him that loves you! |
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| August 26, 2008 |
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| Amen, Brother Todd! I'm moving forward! |
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