Refined by the fire

I am in the middle of many uncertainties. What makes it even worse is I have been here before and never thought I would face this type of uncertainty again.

This really feeds into my blame game routine. At the heart of it all, I blame myself. I am responsible for my consequences and my stinking thinking makes everything consequences from a mistake I must have made.

If I was to put myself in the story of Job then I would be the friend that was asking him what he had done to deserve such a fate. Except I say it to myself.

I can also compare myself to the diciples who once asked Jesus why the blind man was blind. Was it a sin he did or maybe a sin of his parents? Except I start pointing blame wherever I can for the circumstances.

I know the truth, and my Spirit is willing to hear it. But this flesh has gotten the better of me lately and has left me depressed and maybe a fit of panic here and there. Bitter roots are forming and resentment is real.

I know God will walk me through everything and this fire I am going through is here to refine me and not consume me.

But my flesh says “seriously? You know this is your fault, right? Your obedience was quite lacking and now you want to cry through the consequences. Do better and this wouldnt happen.”

These thoughts leave me feeling so far from God. Like He is disappointed in me. The enemy sure knows how to twist truth into lies. Like a roaring lion he sits and waits for a weak spot to show itself and he digs in.

These are the times that I am thankful for the Spirit guiding me to study His word so consistently for the last few years. Not only do I know where to go to renew my faith but I have His truth written on the tablet of my heart. So when the flesh starts spewing its lies that still, small voice comforts me. He pulls me out and sets me on the solid rock. The bible studies I was so obedient in following has led to an arsenal of truth to fire back at the flaming arrows the enemy has directed at me.

I am not alone. I am not unloved. Even if noone on this earth loved me…He does and what more would I need? Except even then, He gives me more. He gave me a whole church family that shows me love and would come into this battle with me in prayer, no questons asked. That leaves me thankful for that still, small voice that instructed me to get back in church consistently a few years ago as well.

So, if today you are also in a sea of uncertainty let me fill you with this truth. God is good. He wants only what is good for you. If He is burning away what wasnt from Him right now then rejoice. He will restore you to His will and plan. Hold on to that hope. This, too, shall pass and if you let Him refine you then it will not consume you.

I am reminded of David who wanted to build a temple for God. God told him a temple would be built but it would be for his son to build it. Since David couldnt build the temple he decided to stock all that was needed to build it so his son would have all he needed when it was his time to build it.

I feel God telling me, “I see you want My ways and you want to change and grow your faith. That is my Son’s job. He has sent His Spirit to change, grow, and guide you. The only thing you are to do is stock your arsenal with the tools and weapons that are needed. He will rebuild you.”

Yes, a weak spot has been exposed. Yes, the enemy took notice and dug in on it. But God knew it was there all along. He will use that enemy to refine me. I will not be consumed by him because I am already consumed by Him. Where I am weak, He is strong and His power is about to be made very evident in my life. Amen!

Put your armor on soldier. Build up your weapons. Stock that arsenal. He will do the rest.

And God said

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

How?

Let’s look at the first 3 words of verses 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29 in Genesis. Those words are “And God said”.

His words have the power to bring this whole earth into existence.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

What else is referred to as God’s word?

The bible. The same Word that had the power to bring this world into existence resides in that book that you can easily possess. You want life changing power in your life? Are you in a spot that seems impossible to get out of? Habits impossible to break? You know where to go.

Power of Prayer

Does it sometimes feel like you have to say the exact right prayer to activate God’s supernatural power in your life? Like, If you could just find the right words God wants you to say then this problem would be fixed. I promise you God isn’t cruel. He just wants you to see it from His perspective so you can truly receive your blessing. There are times I stay in prayer over something for so long and then suddenly a phrase hits me, or a different perspective comes to light and my whole prayer shifts a different direction. Maybe I am praying for this and God shows me that this over here is what is making this over there happen so let’s pray on that. And then before I know it I see a prayer being answered. It isnt because I finally figured out the right words to say. It is because God granted wisdom and opened my eyes to His answers. We dont pray over the same situation over and over in an act of begging God to fix it. There is no need to beg. Ask and ye shall receive. We pray over and over to keep us close to God. To keep Him active in our thoughts, not to stress but to continually hand it over. The prayer isnt so much to make it happen as it is to help us see it happening. We need that. Because God rarely answers a prayer in a way we expect. It is always WAY better than we could have ever imagined. If you give God room to show out..He will.