Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Going through the Fire

Malachi 3:3 says ; 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His i mage in you.

'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'

-Author unknown

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Fireproof...a must see movie

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I couldn't wait to see this movie. It had been recommended to me by quite a few people, so I anxiously counted down until the movie was available on DVD. I had ordered it in December...and just had to wait for it to arrive. I had also bought "The Love Dare" but with block leave and Christmas in Pennsylvania, I have not had time to read this book, let alone put it into action.

I sat down one afternoon last week to view the movie. It was great! I cried...and cried some more. I know of some couples, whom I have been praying for, that are struggling in their marriages. I'm not sure if that is why I was a bit emotional or not. I have recommended this movie to one of those couples. If you are at a point of giving up or think there is no hope for your marriage, I encourage you to view this movie. As you do, have an open heart to let God speak to you. Maybe you need to commit to doing "The Love Dare" as a step of faith for your marriage. I have witnessed the work of the Lord in friend's marriages, that looked very hopeless.

I think many times we feel we can fix it (our relationships) on our own and we leave God out of the equation. But let me tell you, God needs to be the center of it all. Without Him and the love He has so freely given to us, we can not love others.

Monday, February 9, 2009

31 Ways to Pray for our Military

For those who are interested, I finally have an address where Angel can receive mail. If you did not get this yet and would like to have it, email me and I will forward it to you.

Please continue to keep Angel and his unit in prayer as they serve this next year in the sandbox. I came across of list of Ways to Pray for Our Military and I wanted to share this with you.

31 Ways to Pray For Our Military
1. Protection
a. Psalm 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
b. Psalm 32:7 - You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
2. Wisdom
a. James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him
3. Peace
a. John 14:26 - But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
b. Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
4. Presence of God
a. Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
5. Inner Strength
a. Ephesians 3:16 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
6. Clear Mind
a. 2 timothy 1:7 - For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
7. Security
a. Psalm 17:8 - Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
8. Health for Physical Body
a. Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
9. Courage
a. Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
10. To help others
a. Philippians 2:3-4 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
11. To be aware of God’s love for them
a. Psalm 42 - As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
12. Family Concerns
a. 1 peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
13. Rest
a. Mathew 11:28-29 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
14. Adjust to time change, sleep
a. Psalm 4:8 - I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
15. Unity in purpose
a. 1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic,love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
16. Loneliness
a. Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
17. Children of Military
a. Isaiah 54:13 - All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.
b. Psalm 68:5 - A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
18. Spouses of Military
a. Isaiah 40:11 - He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
19. Patience while waiting
a. Psalm 33:20 - We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
20. God directing their steps
a. Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
21. Diligent in their work
a. Colossians 3:23 - We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
22. Resist temptation
a. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
23. Discernment
a. Philippians 1:9 - And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
24. Traveling safety
a. Psalm 121:7-8 - The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
25. Fighting Depression
a. Pslam 42:5 - Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and Protect from evil
26. Protection from Evil
a. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
27. Encourage those around them
a. Proverbs 11:25 - A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
28. Personal Prayer life
a. Jeremiah 33:3 - 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
29. Deliverance from the enemy
a. Psalm 31:15 - My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
30. Angels to guard them
a. Psalm 34:7 - The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
31. Persistence for the task
a. Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.