Tested by Fire

I order to purify gold; to take it from ore found in the ground to high enough quality to use for jewelry, electronics, and other things, it is heated to melting.  When this is done, the impurities and other metals separate from the pure gold and can be removed.

 Peter uses this illustration in 1 Peter 1:6-7,  he says “although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.  Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold tested by fire. ” NET
God lets us experience trials, setbacks, disappointments, to develop us and make us better.  Our job is to stay in faith and use these trials to refine our faith and character, so we come out of it stronger and more capable.
Dear Lord help us remember that you are there to help us through our trials, and You are refining us so we can be a better Christian person.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

All the Tools We Need

Have you ever noticed that with the right tool every project seems to go smoother and get better results.  Rotating your tires if you have a couple floor jacks and an air wrench makes the project take less than half the time.   Having two ovens when cooking for a big party at home.  A hand truck (dolly) when moving appliances around. The right paintbrush for those tough to paint moldings.  For those of us in the north, a snowblower!  Sometimes a task is impossible without the right tool.

In John 15 Jesus talks about being the vine and we being the branches. He expects us to bear fruit, to go and do his work, spread the gospel, make disciples.  In verses 7-8 Jesus says “ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is honored by this, that you bear much Continue reading All the Tools We Need →

On God’s Team

Can you think of a time when you were chosen to be part of a special group, team, or organization?   Accepted by that university, fraternity, sorority you hoped for, hired by the great employer, for a select few, chosen to be a pro athlete, or fighter pilot.  Wonderful feeling of acceptance, pride and validation of our skills, talent and hard work.
As good as those things have been for us, they pale in comparison to the significance Peter outlines in 1 Peter 2:9-10″. ..for you have been chosen by God Himself- you are priests of the King, holy and pure, you are God’s very own-all this so that you may show others how God called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s very own.  Once you knew very little of God’s kindness, now your very lives have been changed by it.” TLB
Let us be grateful for being chosen.  Wouldn’t it be amazing to be someone who brings another person to a place he or she could be chosen by God as well.
Dear Lord,  thank You for choosing us to be part of your team, from being less than nothing, doomed to the darkness to which sin pulls us. Now we are with you.  Empower us to share the joy this brings.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Who Do You Work For?

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Who Do You Work For?

Colossians 3:23-24 is a great passage to put our work into perspective.  Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae. “Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters. remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all the He owns.  He is the one you are really working for.” TLB

So if God is the one we are really working for, God is the one who decides if we are promoted, and God decides how much we are paid.  We need to put our faith and trust in God.  The work we are doing today is what God called us to do.  We need to work like we are working for Him; which we are.
Dear Lord, Thank you that we know that you control our destiny, not people on earth.  Help us glorify you by our actions, and our work, and thank you for giving us all that we need and more.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

A Living Letter

A Living Letter
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2 Corinthians 3:2 Paul describes the people of the church as “living letters”. He says to them “you yourselves are our letters, written on our hearts”  known and read by everyone.” He goes on to say “you are a letter from Christ”

We need to think about that in our daily activities. We are Christ’s letter to people we encounter. Are we sending the right message?

Dear Lord, help us remember that we are your letter to the world, known and read by everyone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Daily Short Christian Devotional Message

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