BE STILL

   Gwen Smith tells us, “There was a crisp chill slipping through the window as I headed to the couch to get with God before rushing into my day.

 I filled up my coffee mug, lit a cinnamon bun scented jar candle and nestled into my corner spot.

Before I could get comfortable, however, I realized that the combination of the morning breeze and the ceiling fan were a bit much for my shorts-clad legs.

 I jumped up from the couch and turned the ceiling fan off … for possibly the first time in five or six months.

As I got back into my comfy prayer corner, I looked up at the fan, now still, and drew a deep breath of surprise. Dirt! 

All over the blades of my ceiling fan! And when I say that I saw dirt, let me tell you, it wasn’t just a smidge on … it was a good amount of dirt. Yuck.

When did that happen? How did it get there? Note to self: clean fan today.

 I brought my Bible and prayer journal to my lap, ready to talk to God and seek His direction for the day, but before I could even lift my pen and open the Word, I heard a soul whisper, “Be still.”

              'I’m here, Lord! Ready to talk. Ready to pray,' my heart responded.

              Again…the whisper, 'Be still.'

              'Like the fan, LORD?' I wondered?

Then it hit me: when I slow my soul to still and listen quietly, God gently shows me the dirt on the blades of my heart.  

You see, I’m an action girl. I love to move and chat and go, go, go. Dust doesn’t settle on my days – but – as God reminded me, dirt sure can settle on my heart.

             I nod knowingly. 'It’s Your kindness that leads me to repentance, oh Lord.' (Romans 2:4)

              When I slow to still and know that He is God, I am face to face with His holiness. In light of His holiness, my wretchedness is revealed.

His love and kindness brings revelation that causes my heart to ache for restoration. So I confess. I confess my mess. My heart dirt. And His mercy runs.

 Before the confessions leave my tongue, the blades of my heart are sparkling. Wiped clean with the righteousness of Grace. Beautiful, far-reaching grace.

'For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to thosewhose heart is blameless toward him'  (2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV).

              This grace is for every one of us – and it begins and ends with Jesus Christ. It’s for me. It’s for you. 

Whether you are at work, at home, at the hospital or in a jail cell. He’s whispering, 'Be still.' 

Whether you are struggling with life strains or are in a season of reprieve. 'Be still.' 

Whether you have a house full of crazy noise or an apartment filled with ordered quiet. 'Be still.'

 Whether the diagnosis is cancer, the sting of betrayal is fresh, the Hope you cling to resounds, or you are weary and unsettled. 'Be still.' 

Know that He is God. Know that He is good. He is in control. He loves you. He is able. He is holy. He is worthy. Oh, so worthy.

              Then, in the stillness … respond.

"O Lord, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

You see me when I travel

and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

You know what I am going to say

even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too great for me to understand!

Search me, O God, and know my heart;


test me and know my anxious thoughts.


Point out anything in me that offends you,


and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

              (Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24, NLT)

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a)

Let’s Pray

              Dear Lord, I’m here. I’m still. Please reveal my heart dirt. (Pause to listen and reflect.) I confess these sins to You ________________ and I ask that you remove them as far as the east is from the west. Thanks for capturing me with Your grace once again. Help me to know and love You more today.

            In Jesus’ Name I pray,  Amen.”

         Girlfriends in God   www.girlfriendsingod.com

September 23, 2011  Be Still  by Gwen Smith  Friend to Friend  

   

Be Still

Gwen Smith gives us good advice, "to talk to God and seek His direction."


"There was a crisp chill slipping through the window as I headed to the couch to get with God before rushing into my day. I filled up my coffee mug, lit a cinnamon bun scented jar candle and nestled into my corner spot. Before I could get comfortable, however, I realized that the combination of the morning breeze and the ceiling fan were a bit much for my shorts-clad legs. I jumped up from the couch and turned the ceiling fan off … for possibly the first time in five or six months.


 As I got back into my comfy prayer corner, I looked up at the fan, now still, and drew a deep breath of surprise. Dirt! All over the blades of my ceiling fan! And when I say that I saw dirt, let me tell you, it wasn’t just a smidgeon … it was a good amount of dirt. Yuck. When did that happen? How did it get there? Note to self: clean fan today.


 I brought my Bible and prayer journal to my lap, ready to talk to God and seek His direction for the day, but before I could even lift my pen and open the Word, I heard a soul whisper, “Be still.”


 “I’m here, Lord! Ready to talk. Ready to pray,” my heart responded.
 Again…the whisper, “Be still.”


 “Like the fan, LORD?” I wondered?


 Then it hit me: when I slow my soul to still and listen quietly, God gently shows me the dirt on the blades of my heart. You see, I’m an action girl. I love to move and chat and go, go, go. Dust doesn’t settle on my days – but – as God reminded me, dirt sure can settle on my heart.


 I nod knowingly. “It’s Your kindness that leads me to repentance, oh Lord." (Romans 2:4)


 When I slow to still and know that He is God, I am face to face with His holiness. In light of His holiness, my wretchedness is revealed. His love and kindness brings revelation that causes my heart to ache for restoration. So I confess. I confess my mess. My heart dirt. And His mercy runs. Before the confessions leave my tongue, the blades of my heart are sparkling. Wiped clean with the righteousness of Grace. Beautiful, far-reaching grace.


“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to thosewhose heart is blameless toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV).


 This grace is for every one of us – and it begins and ends with Jesus Christ. It’s for me. It’s for you. Whether you are at work, at home, at the hospital or in a jail cell. He’s whispering, “Be still.”


Whether you are struggling with life strains or are in a season of reprieve. “Be still.” Whether you have a house full of crazy noise or an apartment filled with ordered quiet. “Be still.” Whether the diagnosis is cancer, the sting of betrayal is fresh, the Hope you cling to resounds, or you are weary and unsettled. “Be still.” Know that He is God. Know that He is good. He is in control. He loves you. He is able. He is holy. He is worthy. Oh, so worthy.


 Then, in the stillness … respond.
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you,

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

 (Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24, NLT)

Let’s Pray

 Dear Lord, I’m here. I’m still. Please reveal my heart dirt. (Pause to listen and reflect.) I confess these sins to You ________________ and I ask that you remove them as far as the east is from the west. Thanks for capturing me with Your grace once again. Help me to know and love You more today.

 In Jesus’ Name I pray,
 Amen.

Now it’s Your Turn

 ·         (Gwen suggests that you) read Psalm 139 in its entirety. Pray responsively or journal about the inescapable presence of God.

 ·         Be still before Him.

 ·         Visit my Facebook pageand leave a comment about where this finds you today.


 The noise of life can be so loud. I’m right there with you trying to hit the mute button each day. Failing on many days. One way I’ve found to center my heart on God is to hear stories of His grace. Broken into Beautiful is a book filled with stories – real stories … gritty and honest, not cleaned up and phony.

It’s also filled with Scripture that will inspire you toward the life-changing grace of Jesus. To order the book, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit Gwen's website: www.gwensmith.net.


 LOVE MUSIC? Check out Gwen's CD, Uncluttered.The songs of Uncluttered are purposed to help your soul be still. They will sweep you away from life-noise and to focus your heart and mind on the one thing that matters: your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Gwen Smith - Uncluttered - YouTube
â–º 4:07â–º 4:07	www.youtube.com/watch?v...8k Share Sep 14, 2011 - 4 min - Uploaded by coolram1952 But, the song says "I want my *love* for Him to always be uncluttered"; it doesn't say "I want my life to be ...

 Join Gwen on PINTEREST! You can find her boards here: www.pinterest.com/GwenSmithMusic.



“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).


Be Still  Gwen Smith  August 17, 2012

info@girlfriendsingod.com   www.girlfriendsingod.com

Today’s treasure truth #: If you are “born again”, you are being transformed by renewing your mind. (Rom. 12:1,1)

Our thought for today: Diligence is a man's precious possession. The greatest things in God are yet to come!

Tonight’s post: Hunting the Good Stuff

So You Plan to Marry a Man  (Amazon page)

 Jean's blog

jowildflowers@gmail.com  

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout   Presently my home page

 

BE STILL AND KNOW

 

    Sharon Jaynes shares with us,  "I pressed the send button on my latest manuscript, What God Really Thinks about Women. 

     For twelve months I had spent night and day with Jesus and the women he encountered while he walked the earth.

      I was going to miss them. Miss walking in their sandals. Miss breathing their air. Miss crying their tears. Miss carrying their water jugs. 

     And while I wasn’t going to be in their lives and in their business every day, their imagined faces were etched in my mind and they had become part of me for eternity. But it was time to move on.

      I grabbed a cup of coffee, snuggled up in my favorite overstuffed den chair, and opened my Bible in my lap. ‘OK, God,’ I began, ‘that project is finished and tied securely with a bow. So what do you want me to do now?’

      I wondered if I should get into a Bible study group, take a class at the local seminary, or finally write those magazine articles I had been putting off.

      Should I start a small group, volunteer at a charity, or start a new book project? I asked the question and waited.

      God surprised me. Acts 17:28 came to my mind. I believed He put it there. In him we live and move and have our being.

      Learn what that means, He seemed to say. Let’s just spend time together. No agenda. No goal. No deadlines. I want to rekindle the romance. Will you let me?

      His answer startled me. I hadn’t even realized the fire had died down. Wasn’t I working for Him? Wasn’t I doing God’s will? Wasn’t I busy about my Father’s business? 

     And then I began to see what He meant. He began turning the lens of my mind’s camera and the fuzzy image grew clear. I wondered how I had missed it before. 

     In the middle of all my busyness for God, I had neglected my relationship with God.

      I was made for goals, or so I thought. Sitting still wasn’t in my nature, and perhaps that was what God was trying to tell me.

     My ‘nature’ or natural bent of work was standing in the way of worship. 

     My natural bent of activity for God was getting in the way of my communion with God. My daily routine of sanctioned quiet times was getting in the way of divine romance in which He wanted me to engage.

      Like the men caught on the stormy Sea of Galilee, I felt I had been reeling in the waves for years – never in danger of truly sinking – just reeling from one rolling wave of work and deadlines to the next.

      But on this particular morning, I began to see the cast of characters in this Galilean scene in a different light. I was definitely in the scene, but I wasn’t in the boat at all.

      I was the storm.

      I love how Eugene Peterson describes Jesus’ words to the wind and the waves as his friend stirred him from his sleep to calm the squall: 'Quiet! Settle down! The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.' (Mark 4:39  MSG).

      What does God really want from me? I’ve pondered that question since the day I first came to Christ. 

      It was one of the two questions Saul asked when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus: "Who are you? What shall I do?" (Acts 22:8, 10).

      I think I’ve made my relationship with Jesus far too difficult. I have spent so much time striving to get closer to the heart of God. And all the while God has been whispering to me, "Cease striving and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NASB). ‘It’s not that hard. Settle down. Be quiet.’

      And that is what Jesus was telling me that frosty January morning. 

      But I realized I didn’t really know how to be quiet and settle down. I had never mastered the idea of ‘be still and know.’ I knew that God was God. It was the "be still" part that stumped me every time.

      Now don’t get me wrong. I can be still for a few minutes, maybe even an hour if need be. But much longer than that and I’m undone. 

     Restless spirit syndrome begins to shake my soul, and the urge to get up and get moving wrestles me from worship.

      So on this January morning, as I share this with you, I’m asking…will you be still and know that He is God with me? For a moment?

        

Let’s Pray

      Dear Lord, Help me to learn what it means to live and move and have my being in You. Thank You for a New Year. I am excited to see what You have in store.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.”

Sharon Jaynes on Crosswalk.com   www.girlfriendsingod.com

     (Acts 17:28 NIV)“In him we live and move and have our being.”    

   (Matt. 116:7 AMP)“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”   

   (Is. 30:15 AMP)“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning {to Me} and resting {in Me} you shall be saved; in quietness and in {trusting} confidence shall be your strength…”   

Ps. 46:10  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Jean's devotional book: So You Plan to Marry a Man  (my book with new title and cover for women contemplating marriage):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499999/ Link to Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse 

Tomorrow's post:    JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLES FEET

Be Still and Know

“In him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28 NIV

By Sharon Jaynes on Crosswalk.com   1/2/12

“Friend to Friend

              I pressed the send button on my latest manuscript, What God Really Thinks about Women. For twelve months I had spent night and day with Jesus and the women he encountered while he walked the earth. I was going to miss them. Miss walking in their sandals. Miss breathing their air. Miss crying their tears. Miss carrying their water jugs. And while I wasn’t going to be in their lives and in their business every day, their imagined faces were etched in my mind and they had become part of me for eternity. But it was time to move on.

              I grabbed a cup of coffee, snuggled up in my favorite overstuffed den chair, and opened my Bible in my lap. ‘OK, God,’ I began, ‘that project is finished and tied securely with a bow. So what do you want me to do now?’

               I wondered if I should get into a Bible study group, take a class at the local seminary, or finally write those magazine articles I had been putting off. Should I start a small group, volunteer at a charity, or start a new book project? I asked the question and waited.

              God surprised me. Acts 17:28 came to my mind. I believed He put it there. In him we live and move and have our being. Learn what that means, He seemed to say. Let’s just spend time together. No agenda.  No goal. No deadlines. I want to rekindle the romance. Will you let me?

              His answer startled me.  I hadn’t even realized the fire had died down.  Wasn’t I working for Him?  Wasn’t I doing God’s will?  Wasn’t I busy about my Father’s business? And then I began to see what He meant. He began turning the lens of my mind’s camera and the fuzzy image grew clear. I wondered how I had missed it before. In the middle of all my busyness for God, I had neglected my relationship with God.

              I was made for goals, or so I thought. Sitting still wasn’t in my nature, and perhaps that was what God was trying to tell me. My ‘nature’ or natural bent of work was standing in the way of worship. My natural bent of activity for God was getting in the way of my communion with God. My daily routine of sanctioned quiet times was getting in the way of divine romance in which He wanted me to engage.

              Like the men caught on the stormy Sea of Galilee, I felt I had been reeling in the waves for years – never in danger of truly sinking – just reeling from one rolling wave of work and deadlines to the next.  But on this particular morning, I began to see the cast of characters in this Galilean scene in a different light. I was definitely in the scene, but I wasn’t in the boat at all. I was the storm.

              I love how Eugene Peterson describes Jesus’ words to the wind and the waves as his friend stirred him from his sleep to calm the squall: “'Quiet!  Settle down!’ The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.”  (Mark 4:39 The Message).

              What does God really want from me? I’ve pondered that question since the day I first came to Christ. It was one of the two questions Saul asked when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus: ‘Who are you? What shall I do?’ (Acts 22:8, 10).

              I think I’ve made my relationship with Jesus far too difficult. I have spent so much time striving to get closer to the heart of God. And all the while God has been whispering to me, ‘Cease striving and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10 NASB). ‘It’s not that hard. Settle down. Be quiet.’

              And that is what Jesus was telling me that frosty January morning. But I realized I didn’t really know how to be quiet and settle down. I had never mastered the idea of ‘be still and know.’  I knew that God was God.  It was the ‘be still’ part that stumped me every time.  Now don’t get me wrong. I can be still for a few minutes, maybe even an hour if need be. But much longer than that and I’m undone. Restless spirit syndrome begins to shake my soul, and the urge to get up and get moving wrestles me from worship.

              So on this January morning, as I share this with you, I’m asking…will you be still and know that He is God with me?  For a moment?

              God had a lot to show me in the year that followed that frosty morning. I’ll be sharing what I learned from time to time as we go through 2012 together.

              So Happy New Year! I look forward to linking arms and hearts in 2012.

Let’s Pray

              Dear Lord, Help me to learn what it means to live and move and have my being in You. Thank You for a New Year. I am excited to see what You have in store.

              In Jesus’ Name,

              Amen.”

info@girlfriendsingod.com   www.girlfriendsingod.com

“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”  Matt. 116:7 Amplified Bible

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning {to Me} and resting {in Me} you shall be saved; in quietness and in {trusting} confidence shall be your strength…”       Is. 30:15 Amp.

jowildflowers@gmail.com   jean-oathout.blogspot.com

Tomorrow’s blog post: How to Experience Christ’s Peace

10 Prayers God Always Answers

Carrie Lowrance:   "Prayer can be such a beautiful, simple, and complicated thing at the same time. 

Everyone prays in their own different way and still, our loving God hears every one. Getting an answer? That can be a whole different story. (Woman praying in church 

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash) 

STILL BEFORE GOD

   

~ Melody Morrison- "I am sure I talk too much and listen too little.

In elementary school, I got in trouble for talking too much. Every. Year. My friends forgive me. The pastor forgives me when I answer a rhetorical question aloud in the middle of his sermon. In my family, we all interrupt each other. My husband? He is incredibly patient. God bless him. (Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

THE BEATITUDES OF ANGER MANAGEMENT PART 1

        Mary Southerland tells us, “Everyone has to deal with anger. 
    The challenge is to deal with anger in the right way. 
    Anger is powerful - an emotional warning that something is wrong. 
    We have been hurt or rejected. Something has changed and we don’t like it! 

 “In your anger, do not sin”   Ephesians 4:26.

            Anger itself is not sin.

We just have to learn to express anger in the right way. 

Mishandled anger is destructive but anger that is handled correctly can become a tool for good. 

God’s Word is filled with tips for learning to handle anger in a healthy and godly way.

Be still.

             “Be still and know that I am God.”   Psalm 46:10

If we are busy, it is much easier to ignore or refuse to face and deal with the real source of anger. 

Anger that is not dealt with in the right way accumulates over time, allowing bitterness to take root and rage to simmer just below the surface of everything we do, say, think or feel. 

In order to manage anger, we need to incorporate frequent and regular 'stops' into our schedules; time set aside to simply be still and hear the voice of God.

Be quiet.

             “Everyone should be slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20

Our first response to conflict is often not a response at all … but a reaction. We jump in with a brutal rebuttal or a thoughtless correction – which is like pouring gasoline on a fire. 

An explosion is bound to happen. 

Our first action should be to stop and think instead of rushing to respond in a way that could escalate tensions or provoke an offensive response from others.

 Listen to the other person before responding. Try counting to ten before saying anything. This may not address the anger directly, but it can minimize the damage you will do while angry.

Be wise.

             “Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control.  Proverbs 25:28

Wisdom is doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason. 

Anger management comes from wisdom rooted in self-control. 

I love the story of Jesus driving the money-changers out of His Father’s temple. 

In John 2:15, Scripture says Jesus “made a whip out of cords.” Don’t miss this picture. 

At the height of His anger, Jesus gathered several cords and braided a whip. 

I imagine it took several minutes at least to form a whip substantial enough to drive grown men anywhere. 

I think Jesus was so angry that He knew He needed to cool off, so He deliberately chose to be still, quiet and wise. 

When we are close to losing control of anger, we need to be wise.

Be discerning. 

             “In your anger do not sin … search your hearts and be silent.”  Psalm 4:4

The longer I work with people the more I realize that there is always a reason for their behavior.  

Hurt people – hurt people. 

When you are angry at someone, ask yourself why. Think back to what led up to the conflict. 

Was it something someone said to you? Has a past problem triggered your present anger? 

Give yourself time to consider why you are upset and what you should do to handle it in a way that pleases God.

God created us with the capacity for emotions. That means He has a right plan and a right place for emotions in our lives. 

Anger management is a spiritual discipline that God honors, blesses and empowers.

Let’s Pray:

            Father, please forgive me when I allow anger to control what I say and do. I want to honor You in the way I manage my emotions – especially the anger in my life. Fill my heart with Your peace. Help me cultivate the spiritual discipline of anger management and learn how to control my emotions instead of allowing them to control me.

            In Jesus’ name,

            Amen.

Now it’s your turn-

            Evaluate the level of anger in your life. 

Would people who know you well describe you as an angry person? 

Identity the source of your anger; then make the commitment to face and deal with whatever is causing your anger."

Mary Southerland on Crosswalk.com  info@girlfriendsingod.com   www.girlfriendsingod.com

Tonight’s post:  PROBLEMS HAVE A PURPOSE

Tomorrow’s post:   TRAVAIL, WHAT IS IT? : Prayer Note # 43

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

Drop Your Hands

Joe Stowell tells us, "You'd think I would have my mother's fingerprints embedded in my knee from all the times she squeezed my leg in church and whispered in no uncertain terms, 'Be Still.'

Like any boy; I had a bad case of the wiggles in places like church. So for years, when I read, "Be still, and know that I am God' Ps. 46:10, I thought of it in terms of not being antsy.

   But the Hebrew word for still means 'to cease striving.' It's the concept of putting your hands down and letting God intervene in your situation without your interference.

   This word picture is interesting, since we often use our hands to push things out of our way, to protect ourselves, or to strike back.

   When we drop our hands, it makes us feel defenseless and vulnerable—unless we can trust that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (v. 1), and that "the LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (v7). In other words, stop struggling and wait on God to do His work!

   In the face of all of life's circumstances, we can know the peace of trusting the presence and power of God in the midst of trouble as we wait patiently and prayerfully for His deliverance. So drop your hands, for God's hands are busy on your behalf! —Joe Stowell

Be still and know that He is God

For pathways steep and rough;

Not what He brings but who He is

 Will always be enough.—Anon

When we put our problems in God's hands,

He puts His peace in our hearts."

OUR DAILY BREAD

Oct. 6, 2012

"Confessing our sins to God and forsaking them brings a sense of freedom to our souls and the awareness that we have nothing to hide. —David McCasland

Lord Jesus, help me come to You

When I would rather run and hide

My sinfulness and foolish ways;

Forgive and make me clean inside.—Sper

Whenever we're ready to uncover our sins,

God is ready to cover them."

OUR DAILY BREAD

10/31/12

Tomorrow’s post: Living Temples that Carry Glory: Prayer Note #86  Dutch Sheets

Today’s treasure truth #21: If you are “born again”, you are blessed coming in and blessed going out. (Deu. 28:6)

Our thought for today: There's no "pat answer" for your problems. Seek God's answers.

Samples of Jean's crafts 
http://twitter.com/jeanoathout
http://facebook.com/jean.oathout  





There's Going to be Wind in Your Sails

Cindy Jacobs: This is a prophetic word by Cindy- For the Lord would say, "You're going to get the wind at your back. 

And right now, I see that there are some people that you're like a ship, and the ship has no wind in the sails..."And you just feel like you're stuck, you're stopped, you can't go on your journey."(Google image) 

God's Refining Fires

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)