Removing Impurities

God is Holy

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

Let’s face it - No one likes to change their ways or habits, no matter how destructive they may be or how necessary.  While the status quo is always easiest, deep down, we all admit there are some things we’d like to change about ourselves.  Maybe it’s having more patience with a co-worker, or having a higher level of integrity at work; maybe it’s being more of a team player, or being more charitable….

The bible tells us that God is constantly at work refining our character. Just like the silversmith that removes impurities in metal over a blazing fire, God places us in hot spots to perfect our character.  Daily, we can find ourselves in situations that challenge us to move in a new direction, to extend grace, forgiveness, or a helping hand when we would not otherwise.  We have two choices – to stay on the same path or to be like Jesus in our thoughts and actions.  But how many of us choose the latter?  If we trust God and obey His word at times of testing, we will find that just like silver, imperfections in our character are removed allowing His reflection in our life to become real and visible to those around us.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Matthew 5:8
 

Because God is holy, He continues to perfect our character through difficult circumstances.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

God is Unchanging

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

There seems to be some optimism about the economy; indicators are starting to look better. You could say there appears to be a “light at the end of the tunnel”. For some, this could mean regaining employment or closing a deal; for others, recovery from an illness, addiction or severed relationship.  But while we long for things to change for the better, we all know there is no guarantee that the good times will last forever.

But, there is one guarantee that we should never forget–God’s promise to us that no matter what the sin, circumstance or struggle, Jesus will be there for us.  He was sent from God to save us from our sins, to heal our pain and redeem us.  The one thing we know for sure is we can trust God – For He is unchanging, consistent, the beginning and the end, no matter what the circumstance.  He is the light at the end of our tunnel that will never fail. 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Because God is unchanging, we can always trust God to be with us.

 

Vision Trumps Fear

God is All Powerful

 So the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."  I was very much afraid, 

Nehemiah 2:2

Our greatest obstacle to accomplishing a goal is fear.  Fear can conjure up a slew of reasons why the task can not be accomplished.  Fear can immobilize. Fear can stop us dead in our tracks.  So how can we resist or defeat fear?

When Nehemiah stepped into his vision to rebuild the broken walls and gates around Jerusalem, he was afraid to approach the King to ask for permission and resources.  Knowing this was a grand vision from God, Nehemiah’s fear dissolved when he placed his confidence in God.  Ultimately, his vision became reality, an inspiration to many as he was able to accomplish an unbelievable task, a “God-sized” goal -- all because Nehemiah overcame his fear by trusting God.

We all have a dream or a vision to be passionate about -- a vision about our lives, our careers, our families, our finances ….So what is stopping you?  Is your fear bigger than your vision and greater than your faith? 

in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11  

Because God is all powerful, we can accomplish great things when we trust God with the outcome.

 

Rejected Again?

God is Love

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  II Corinthians 4:8-9

Kimberly Kennedy’s book Left at the Alter is a heart-wrenching depiction of rejection.  Could you imagine being told the night before your wedding that you would not be getting married the next day; that you were not loved by the person that you loved the most…?  No one likes rejection.  But it seems more common than we’d like to think – a rejected business proposal, a rejected invitation; a rejected date, or rejected affection…the list goes on. 

Even Jesus was rejected.  After his arrest, some of his best friends would not claim they knew him for fear they would suffer.  Isn’t it ironic that Jesus, the one who will never reject us is the one we so often reject?  He stands at the door and knocks, he wants to be a part of our life but so often we are too busy, too prideful, or perhaps, too foolish to accept Him… So why not run to God if you never have; or run back to God if you have strayed away?  Man may reject us, but God’s love for us is unchanging and we do not have to fear being rejected no matter what we do or say or think. 

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  Revelation 3:20

Because God is Love, He will never reject you.

 

Need a Hug?

God is Love

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  1 John 4:16

Have you ever struggled with feeling loved and accepted?  Most of us do, but we don’t have to once we grasp how deeply and completely God loves us.  While love from a spouse or a friend or a family member may be lacking, God’s love will fill that void in our life if we invite him to do so.  In fact, no one is complete without God’s love.  He created us to yearn for Him; that is why so frequently we feel emptiness irrespective of whatever our circumstances or relationships may be.  So, if you don’t feel complete, how about accepting God’s love?  He is waiting for you.  And remember, with God, you will experience love beyond imagine.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,   Ephesians 3:16-18

Because God is Love, He is committed unconditionally to you.

Where Are You?

God is Sovereign

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

I’ve been thinking about the people in Haiti and the utter devastation and then I was reminded of the Tsunami several years ago, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 and all the "bad" things that happen in this world.  How can one believe that there is a God that is good when faced with these circumstances?

There are some things that we just can’t comprehend, but we just have to trust that God is in control and that in all things God works for the good.  For it is in times like these that we are given a chance to show love and compassion to total strangers.  This is how hope is restored -- when we lend a helping hand to someone in need.  God commanded us to love one another – to help, to care, to support and to provide for those who can not for themselves.  This is how God works – through us-- in the midst of chaos and calamity.  He does not send the chaos, but He restores hope when chaos strikes.

…I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.  Jonah 4:2

Because God is Sovereign, we can trust God is at work in the midst of calamity.

 

A Passion for Service and Excellence

God is Gracious

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15

Since creation, God has given us work to do. Knowing that God created work should shed new light on our approach to the work week.  And, if we focus on this truth, it is possible that even the most difficult aspects of work can become a passion.   

Are you passionate about your work?  Do you strive for 110 percent or is complacency lurking in you?  With the new year underway, take a look at what is being asked of you today and think of how God has been gracious to you.  As He changes your heart and mind, you will have the ability to transform an undesirable or mundane task into one full of joy and excellence.  Passion comes from the heart, a heart humbled by the knowledge of God’s grace and mercy.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23

Because God is gracious, He can transform our hearts and enable us to serve passionately.