The Refining God

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 image in you.  

From an email sent by my friend Kris. She welcomes the heat too. 

Really! God answers.

This might be one of the most exciting things to post -- ever. (Awkward sentence or not.) I have been struggling a bit with the how and what details of responding to the offense. I've been struck by it. Aware of the intellectual direction. Humor. Dismissing. All of it.

And a click through a friends blog takes me to John Piper.

I giggle at God's ears for my heart's language.

I am equipped by His leading. And may I say:   I believe, I believe, I believe.

God is awesome.

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/Author/5_david_mathis/

How faithful?

^{I have found myself, recently, in the almost expected struggle that comes when we choose to glorify God. When we choose to obey and speak rather than rescind to the wall. I truly believe the enemy hates the follower. And sometimes I forget that the One, the Glorious One, on whom my eyes should be at every minute, is faithful and He loves me well.
I also seem to forget that His eyes are on me. All the time. Because He is Good and I am His. So, following my prayers and return to the "off-focus" walk, He comes after me with the good gifts - reminding me of His Word and the Walk He has chosen for me. The Victorious walk.
This morning John Piper posted the following scripture on his Facebook page. I know very little about this man. But every word I've read so far has moved me. Strengthened my resolve. Softened my heart. Opened my hands. 
Here in the presence of a bleak spot I am reminded:}

^{Matthew 10:22}

All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

^{Philippians 1:6}

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

^{1 Corinthians 1:8}  

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

^{1 Thessalonians 5:34}

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Oh He is THAT faithful. 

Him.

It recently occured to me that I express my enthusiasm for God, in term of what He's done that I can see. I want to dwell in the Truths that I can't see. His Love, my salvation, the Kingdom.
And I can breathe deeply here.