James H. Cagle- The Bible says, “The refining pot is for silver,
and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts” (Pr.17:3).
And, “But he (God) knoweth the way that I take: when he
hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). (Google image, Refining fire)
hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). (Google image, Refining fire)
Silver and gold are precious metals that when found are not in a pure state. They’re discovered in rock ore with other baser metals. In this natural state silver and gold are less valuable.
The metals are melted down together where the baser metals come to the surface and are extracted until the precious metals are considered pure from all inferior metals.
The fire is necessary for melting the precious metals so that any inferior metals trapped in them would be released and then removed.
In this way the fining pot and the furnace provide the means for separating impurities and creating something pure, separating the invaluable from the valuable and producing something usable.
In this way the fining pot and the furnace provide the means for separating impurities and creating something pure, separating the invaluable from the valuable and producing something usable.
The way that silver and gold are refined for their purity is similar to the way God refines His people for purity, - “For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried” (Ps. 66:10).
Man has no way of trying or refining the human heart, though man may be the source of our trial it is still God Who is the refiner and oversees the whole purifying process.
The refiner doesn’t refine the course ore to get the baser metals but to get the precious metals. The baser metals are cast away as dross. Even so God doesn’t refine the wicked, but the righteous, -
“The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth” (Ps. 11:5). God tries them [the righteous] with affliction, with fire and deep waters and then brings them to a wealthy place (Ps. 66:11, 12).
Just as all the impurities embedded with precious metals can’t be seen without the refining which separates them and brings them to the surface even so the impurities of the believers heart can’t be seen until they’re put in the fire and what was hidden in the inner most man comes to the surface.
There are impurities in our heart that we can’t see but God can, and He designs by His great wisdom a trial with all its heat and pressure for the express purpose of exposing, and bringing to the surface those impurities so we can see them and know our true spiritual state.
God doesn’t then automatically remove it, because unlike the silver and gold, we have a free will and choose whether to hold on to our sin and impurities, by denying they truly exist and that’s not what we’re really like, or excusing them, or we can confess and forsake them, so that we may be pure and holy and glorify Christ.
God doesn’t then automatically remove it, because unlike the silver and gold, we have a free will and choose whether to hold on to our sin and impurities, by denying they truly exist and that’s not what we’re really like, or excusing them, or we can confess and forsake them, so that we may be pure and holy and glorify Christ.
This explains why those who have experienced greater purity of heart and life have also experience many great and fiery trials. You can’t have one without the other (James. 1:1- 4; 1 Pet.4:12,13).
And those who’ve been through the fire have Christian experience and are usable by God.
God’s Refining Fires
by James H. Cagle
~ Sarah Young's Jesus Calling devotional, the Lord's message to her 6/13/17:
"I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for is in any way. Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others. Let yourself become a reservoir of the Spirit's fruit.
Your part is to live close to Me, open to all that I am doing in you. Don't try to control the streaming of My spirit through you. Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together. Enjoy My Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy, and Peace." (John 3:8; Galatians 5:22)
Let's pray-"I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for is in any way. Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others. Let yourself become a reservoir of the Spirit's fruit.
Your part is to live close to Me, open to all that I am doing in you. Don't try to control the streaming of My spirit through you. Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together. Enjoy My Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy, and Peace." (John 3:8; Galatians 5:22)
Today's questions-
Do you look in the wrong places for your value? Do you compare yourself with others, trying to find out what it is they're doing, to see if your life measures up to theirs?
We find our partnership with Christ is to serve others, so we are encouraged to ask who we can serve next with the giftings He has given us upon our surrendering to His Lordship. You can be assured that Jesus has an opinion of you, so maybe you need to ask Him what it is.
We find our partnership with Christ is to serve others, so we are encouraged to ask who we can serve next with the giftings He has given us upon our surrendering to His Lordship. You can be assured that Jesus has an opinion of you, so maybe you need to ask Him what it is.
Father, we know that You're in the process
of refining each of us, providing the means
for separating the impurities within us.
As we desire to be pure, we need help in
cooperating with Your separating what's
valuable and productive in our lives.
When we are put into various "fires",
what is hidden in our inner most being
will come to the surface for us to see.
As these will not be automatically removed,
may we not deny their existence, but
be quick to confess and forsake them.
Our desire is to be pure and holy
and to glorify Christ Jesus.
I ask this in His name. Amen.
of refining each of us, providing the means
for separating the impurities within us.
As we desire to be pure, we need help in
cooperating with Your separating what's
valuable and productive in our lives.
When we are put into various "fires",
what is hidden in our inner most being
will come to the surface for us to see.
As these will not be automatically removed,
may we not deny their existence, but
be quick to confess and forsake them.
Our desire is to be pure and holy
and to glorify Christ Jesus.
I ask this in His name. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
"His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work." (1 Corinthians 3:13 NIV)
"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. (3) He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness" (Malachi 3:2-3 NLT).
Trials of Faith
Why need your soul be anxious
With the host of evidence
That God has always cared for you
And been your strong defense
With the host of evidence
That God has always cared for you
And been your strong defense
Why let your heart be troubled
When God's let you live til now
And everything He's brought you through
Reveals He still knows how
To meet the needs you face each day
In His own time and way
Just as He paid the Price of sin
That you could never pay
And by this very action showed
He has a plan for you
If you will place your trust in Him
To do what He can do
For nothing ever overwhelms
The One Who paints the sky
The One Who formed humanity
And Who alone knows why
He's led us in the path we're in
At just this time and place
To use us as His instruments
To reach the human race
In ways that they might recognize
They have not seen before
The ways that God alone might use
That He has made us for
That we in all our feebleness
Might fail to understand
But in His perfect righteousness
Fits squarely in His plan
For God alone sees everything
And He alone is wise
And in His perfect time and way
He'll open up our eyes
So we can also be assured
That He's still in control
And everything that He allows
Is for our very soul
To grow in perfect confidence
By faith and not by sight
To know that He is still the Way
When faced by darkest night
And also know His Truth is truth
And not just platitudes
But holds a wealth of knowledge
That His mighty grace includes
And when He says He is the Life
He's not just speaking words
But in His very breath
His Holy Spirit can be heard
To say that I am with you
And in time you'll understand
That everything you're facing now
Still works within My plan
For though God won't bring evil
For though God won't bring evil
Still He might use it for good
And bring us to a better place
Our efforts never could
And though He's not the darkness
Through the darkness we can find
A greater understanding
When He brings the Light to mind
So friend though things seem hopeless
Do not give up in despair
Don't let the devil tempt you
To believe God doesn't care
Just simply put more trust in Him
Who made the blind to see
And trust that in His perfect time
He'll cause the best to be
As hand in hand He'll share with you
How all that you went through
Made you the perfect child of grace
No other work could do
(Philippians 4:11-13, 19; 2 Corinthians 4:14-18)
May 18,2017
Upcoming posts-
#123 Prayer the Nemesis of Satan
27th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#124 Our Holy Prayer Warfare
29th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
God is Able
July 1st- Saturday's post on Herald of His Coming
#125 Our Strategic Role
7/4th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
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31-day Devotional
+ Jean's testimony
[Maybe just choose a title each
day that interests you]
Sample verses from pp. 54, 55-
Lord, Help Me show
Your Love Today
"I can now see that as a wife
I'll need to read Your Book.
Please help me dedicate my life
As in Your Word I look.
Because I want to give my best
Your help I know I'll win.
I will desire to pass this test
And let You reign within."
(Published by Lighthouse Publishing
of the Carolinas. Used by permission).
A great gift for someone who may need help
to prepare for marriage, and for those in a
marriage, wanting some helpful advice.
Messages on tests and trials are very helpful for me. It seems there's always one around the corner. But we need them if we are to ever be learning. They seem to knock the foolishness out and make us serious about God and our relationship with Him.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to remember that God is molding us into the children He wants us to be. To remember that we are precious to Him and He is making us into the best selves that we can be.
ReplyDelete