The same fire that consumes coal, purifies gold. Both are mined from the earth, but gold has certain quilities which are absent in coal. These quilities make gold so much more precious than coal. In the same manner, people who are placed in the crucible of affliction differ from one another.
Those who place their trust in the Lord, are purified and strengthened. They received the grace to adapt to the high demands made on their emotions. Because they bend in the wind of God's will, they do not break.
Believers who endure God's furnace with dignity find new strengh in the dark night of sorrow: their characters are moulded according to God's will and evantually they taste sweet victory. On the other hand, doubters experiens confusion and despondency and are heading for self destruction.
How do you react to the tragedies of life that befall you? Do you blame God and turn your back on Him, or does it bring you closer to Him and allow you to partake of his comfort, love and healing? When we shoot off arrows of rage, frustrasion and bitterness at God, they simply wound our own hearts. If we seek his love in prayer and worship, our pain is eased, the wounds are and we grow in joy and ecceptance. To us who love and trust God, the time of affliction is the time for purifying the character and spirit.
Dear Redeemer and Friend, may the burning furnace in which I find myself bring me closer to You, the heavenly Smelter, so that my life can produce pure gold and reflect the image of my Master. Amen:
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. ( Zech. 13:9. Revised Standerd Version )
If I think about the cross I have to bear, of my trails and tribulations. I am ashamed that they copare so bleakly with the suffering of my blessed Lord, Jesus Christ! ~Martin Luther ~
Drawn by the strength of thine own mighty love,
gladly we come to thee, thy healing touch to prove.
All power is Thine - we echo back thy word -
in heaven and earth, thou never- changing Lord. ~L F Woodford ~
Those who place their trust in the Lord, are purified and strengthened. They received the grace to adapt to the high demands made on their emotions. Because they bend in the wind of God's will, they do not break.
Believers who endure God's furnace with dignity find new strengh in the dark night of sorrow: their characters are moulded according to God's will and evantually they taste sweet victory. On the other hand, doubters experiens confusion and despondency and are heading for self destruction.
How do you react to the tragedies of life that befall you? Do you blame God and turn your back on Him, or does it bring you closer to Him and allow you to partake of his comfort, love and healing? When we shoot off arrows of rage, frustrasion and bitterness at God, they simply wound our own hearts. If we seek his love in prayer and worship, our pain is eased, the wounds are and we grow in joy and ecceptance. To us who love and trust God, the time of affliction is the time for purifying the character and spirit.
Dear Redeemer and Friend, may the burning furnace in which I find myself bring me closer to You, the heavenly Smelter, so that my life can produce pure gold and reflect the image of my Master. Amen:
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. ( Zech. 13:9. Revised Standerd Version )
If I think about the cross I have to bear, of my trails and tribulations. I am ashamed that they copare so bleakly with the suffering of my blessed Lord, Jesus Christ! ~Martin Luther ~
Drawn by the strength of thine own mighty love,
gladly we come to thee, thy healing touch to prove.
All power is Thine - we echo back thy word -
in heaven and earth, thou never- changing Lord. ~L F Woodford ~
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