Tuesday, July 17, 2007

IN THE MELTING POT

I am posting another devotional from THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY which I read on May 19th.

"He will sit as a refiner....or silver."
Malachi 3:3 Nkjv
"Rick Warren says, "God has a purpose behind every problem. He uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact: He often depends more on circumstances to make us like Jesus than He does on our reading the Bible. And the reason is obvious: we face circumstances 24 hours-a-day."
We learn things about God when we're in trouble that we can't learn any other way. Adversity draws us closer to Him! "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted" (Ps 34:18 NLT) Problems force us to look to God and depend on Him instead of ourselves. Paul writes, "We...saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God" (2Co 1:9 TLB). Submitting the situation to God and trusting Him with the ways, means, and timing, is hard for most of us to do. Why? Because it means giving up control!
If you feel like you're in the melting pot today, maybe God put you there. Have you thought of that? The refiner is burning away the impurities and removing the obstacles in your life. "He will sit as a refiner...of silver, he will purify...them like gold...Then the Lord will have men who will...be acceptable." Since God's plan is to make us more like Jesus, He'll take us through the experiences Jesus went through. What are they? The wilderness of temptation, rejection by your family; the strain of caring for others, criticism from religious folks, and betrayal by those you love and have invested your life in. So, are you in the melting pot?"
I know that my greatest desire is to be all that God wants me to be. I never want to take joy or pleasure in anything that drove those nails into my Savior. I do not want HIM to have taken one blow on nail in vain on my behalf. I want to get to the point, in my life, where I see everything that happens to me as coming from, or being allowed, by my Lord & Savior. What about you?

17 comments:

Nadine said...

I agree. It's in the hard times that I've learned more than in the easy times. In hard times we look to Him and it's there He speaks to us. Very good post.

I love the new look.

Brin said...

Amen and amen. Feeling as though I've just come "through the fire", (so to speak), I take comfort in knowing His almighty, always at-the-ready hand is there... to guide and save. What a good and gracious God we serve!

Thanks for the great word today!

Brin
www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com

Susan Skitt said...

Never an easy thing, but it is a good thing. Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord...

Lori said...

What a great post. That is my prayer...that I be more like Him everyday.

Sue Seibert said...

Yes. Just last weekend we had a problem at church, and through God's will and guidance it all worked out to a happy conclusion. We MUST take everything to God in prayer!

... said...

thank you for posting this today. i needed to be reminded that God puts us in certain situations for a reason.

i pray that i stay more dependent on Him. i hold on to proverbs 3:5&6

Lyndy said...

Excellent post Susan and so very true. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs, Lyndy

Mountain Mama said...

This is a very thought provoking post.
I agree with what you have written.
I believe everyone has been in the 'melting pot' at least once in their life, but most of us seem to be in a constant state of refinement, even though the temperature of the 'heat' fluctuates.
He won't save us from all the trials but He will walk with us through the fire, and our relationship with him will have grown in the process.
Thanks for the good reminder

Anonymous said...

"I never want to take joy or pleasure in anything that drove those nails into my Savior. I do not want HIM to have taken one blow on nail in vain on my behalf."

You are SO right!! I don't either!!! Thank you for this excellent post, Susan!!!

Anonymous said...

"I never want to take joy or pleasure in anything that drove those nails into my Savior. I do not want HIM to have taken one blow on nail in vain on my behalf."

You are SO right!! I don't either!!! Thank you for this excellent post, Susan!!!

Myrna said...

As usual, you have given us something to think about. Thanks you

I tagged you today at Cherish... for a meme. If you have already done it--or choose not to--that's fine. I just think you always have something profound to say, so I included you!

Hope you are having a good day!

Momma Roar said...

"I want to get to the point, in my life, where I see everything that happens to me as coming from, or being allowed, by my Lord & Savior."

Me too, me too - What an excellent post Susan!

Anonymous said...

Paul writes, "We...saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God" (2Co 1:9 TLB).

My life is in His hands. There is no better place to be. If I do not rely on Him to skim off the junk and bring the beauty to the surface, then I am nothing.

I know as I walk through the fire, He is there!

This is something I need to be reminded of every day Susan. I love you for sharing. You always seem to know just what I need to hear. Your spirit is so in tune with the One who knows our needs.

Christy said...

Wow. That was so powerful.

You spoke to my heart today because you know what I have gone through, what we are going through now, and you are 100% correct.

I am being refined and sifted...but posts like yours remind me to praise God for it all the same.

Randi said...

I like your post. It's so good to remember God's plan is always better than any plan we can make.

Pearls of Wisdom said...

Amen Susan! Great reminder.

In his endless love,

Angel

I have a video you and Mickey will but you will have to scroll down some .

Hugs!

Nesting For Natalie said...

Susan,

This is the point I too, long with all of my heart to be at, in every circumstance!

May God, who has heard you, grant your request!

Amy