Dear family and friends,
I know you are struggling while the fires are burning all around. For those of you in Oregon, Washington and California I pray for perfect peace in the name of Jesus Christ.
Most of my family are in hard places with heavy smoke and dark skies. So much burning! While here in Montana we are seeing blue sky and calm winds. I can only pray for those of you outside of this blessing. My heart goes out to so many that my prayers seem redundant. Yet, I know the Holy Spirit is with you and praying with words I can't seem to form. Jesus is praying for you before the Throne of Grace. Each by name. Every heart exposed.
I didn't know what I should write today. My heart aches. The thing that keeps coming to mind is cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. Do you know this?
This begins with a humble heart before God. In 1 Peter 5:6-7..."Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you."
Don't you and I know that these days are the days to separate the precious from the worthless? If you have to evacuate, you can't take it all can you? You have to decide what is most important. This goes spiritually and physically. It even goes emotionally where we get to determine what we will keep our minds on.
Right now the only place I know to run is to the feet of Jesus! I can't figure out any other source of strength but in Him. So, the lower I go, the Higher He is. Sure I have to look up from the floor! It is a good place to be. I have to stay down in my own estimation because I am nothing otherwise. His hand is mighty to save! All wisdom comes from Him so I can ask for it.
"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."
Do you know how silver is refined? In Malachi 3:3 in the old testiment we see that "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."
God's nature is to take something that is not right and make it glow for His glory. Our lives, though in trials of many kinds, are meant to do the same. A silversmith holds a piece of silver over the fire to let it heat up. The silver has to be held in the middle of the fire where the flames are the hottest to burn away all the impurities.
Have you noticed God doesn't take us out of the trial until His work is done? He sits like the silversmith in front of the fire the whole time the silver is being refined. He keeps his eyes on the silver the entire time it is in the fire. He knows if left a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged. So, he watches.
Just like God. When I learned this I seemed to settle down for the process. No complaint, just thankfulness He is with me the whole time. I am learning to be still, to be refined. I am still learning.
How does the silversmith know when the silver is refined? Easy, when he sees his own image in it. Wow! Pause and think about this! WE are being changed into the image of Jesus Christ. It may seem a bit hot right now but trust Him to do a perfect work. He will not leave until it is done!
Praise the Lord! No matter if you are in a trial of fire or sitting content under a blue sky; the work of the Master's hand is doing something greater and good in your life. Trust Him and be conformed to His image.
I am so glad I came here today. I hope you are too. Heartstrings is really from my heart to yours, so I hope you are encouraged as I am. Holy Spirit is our teacher and we can trust Him. If you don't know Him, call out to God and seek His face. Come as you are, humbly bow your life before Him. Let Him wash away all your sins so you can walk in the fire and not be burned.
"Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever come]. The Lord [be] with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16. In the matchless name which is above all other names, Jesus, amen.
Abundance is...walking through the flames