Tag Archive | refine

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 41 – Refining Fire

May2

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 41

 Refining Fire

Lord, I am thankful that in all things You work for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). Lord, You allow the fire of our trials and afflictions, in order to test us and purify us. Your refining fire of adversity will remove the dross, skim off the waste in our lives, and purify us, like silver and gold. When the dross has been removed, You, the Silversmith, can make something of our lives (Proverbs 25:4-5). You can use our vessel to complete the purpose You fashioned us for. Lord, thank You for Your wisdom in allowing us to suffer trials, to refine us and mature us in our faith. We learn to trust more completely in You, as You accompany us in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:24-25) and bring us to a place of abundance (Psalm 66:8-12).

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

O child of Mine, it is good you understand a portion of My ways. There are times when I spare you from challenges and troubles, yet other times I do not. I allow you to endure trials and I use them for your good: to strengthen you; to perfect your faith; and to purify you, removing the unnecessary waste from your life. I refine you as silver and test you as gold (Zechariah 13:9).

Do not fear the heat of the fire; fire is your friend. The furnace will be only hot enough to soften your will to the point when I can fashion you into a masterpiece, even more beautiful. I am with you in the fiery furnace. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2). Take My hand; I will walk you through the fire, into a place of abundance (Psalm 66:12).

Count it all joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4). I will not allow you to be tested beyond what you can handle. I give you My Spirit to strengthen you in your weakness. I will renew your strength; you will soar on wings like eagles; you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).

My beloved one, submit your will to Mine. Gladly enter the fire of refinement. Permit Me to mold you and make you according to My will. I sanctify you Myself (John 17:19). I desire that you continually allow Me to work in your life to make you more and more like Myself. This work will best be accomplished in the fire of refinement. I would not ask you to do something I have not done Myself. Lay down your life, and yield to Me. I know what is best for you and I desire only that. I want you to know how much I love you, My friend.  

Prayer:

Father God, my Silversmith, I delight in You. Thank You for loving me so much that You are willing to allow the trials which will refine me the most. Thank You for walking me through the flames and not letting me perish. I am grateful for the gift of Your Spirit who strengthens me when I am weak. Do not let any of these trials go to waste, Lord. Use them all for my good. Teach me Your ways, Lord. May I be like putty in the Potter’s hand? Please speak to me now and show me more of Your beautiful heart for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Almighty God, help me understand Your wisdom in allowing me to experience trials. (Record everything you experience in your thoughts.)

 

  • Jesus, my Savior, please rescue me from the flames and teach me the lesson you want me to know. What is Your heart for me in this trial? (Write all the words and ideas that enter your mind.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, my Paraclete, stay with me in this present adversity. Make my spirit willing to endure this trial and my mind open to the lessons You want me to learn in it. Help me to see this challenge through Your eyes. What outcome do you desire for me? (Journal all His thoughts and impressions.)

 

Review God’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Wise Father in heaven, thank You for the trials and the fire that refines me. Please use these trials for my good: mature my faith and trust in You; sanctify my spirit; teach me Your ways and Your wisdom. I submit myself to You; please take my hand and walk me through my challenges. Lord, do not let the flames set me ablaze, but rescue me before I perish. Thank You for Your presence next to me in the furnace that burns so hot. Refine me with Your fire, so that I may set the world on fire for You! In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Job 23:10, But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Psalm 12:6, And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

Psalm 66:8-12, 8Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard; 9He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. 10For You, God, tested us; You refined us like silver. 11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. 12You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Proverbs 25:4-5, 4Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; 5remove the wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.

Isaiah 40:29-31, 29He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 43:1-3, 1“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”

Isaiah 48:9-10, 9“For My own name’s sake I delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. 10See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.”

Jeremiah 9:7, Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: “See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?”

Ezekiel 22:17-22, 17Then the word of the Lord came to me: 18“Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to Me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. 19Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in My anger and My wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. 21I will gather you and I will blow on you with My fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. 22As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out My wrath on you.’”

Daniel 3:24-25, 24Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Daniel 6:26-27, 26”I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. 27He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Zechariah 13:7-9, 7“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. 8In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. 9This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”

Malachi 3:2-3, 2But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.

John 17:17-19, 17“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”

Romans 8:28, 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.

2 Thessalonians 2:13, But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

James 1:2-4, 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Revelation 3:18, I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

 

Let Me Direct Your Path

Oct7

My dear one, it is so good to speak with you again. Thank you for spending this time with Me. I desire to sit with you every day and connect in conversation with you again. I desire to direct your days, to minister to you, to educate you, to prepare you, and to motivate you to carry out My work. I want to fill you with My goodness, relay My thoughts to you, fill you with My wisdom, and help you appreciate My presence in your life. I am with you always.

You may speak to Me any time. However, I do appreciate when you start your day spending time with Me. It shows Me that you are trying to make Me your first priority. It shows Me that you are eager to know My will and plan for your life. It warms My heart to know that you care enough about Me to give up a little sleep. I am blessed by meeting with you in the morning, before you begin your day with your own plans.

Your plans may be good, but they may not be My best for you. My ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts. I see the future. I know the past. I see all and know all. It is in your best interest to seek Me first, before you set out to accomplish anything. Do not run ahead in a direction I have not prepared for you. When you do, you may encounter snares, traps, conflicts, and barriers. But when you run the race I have marked out for you, everything you come up against has been ordained by Me.

On My path, any trials you face have been allowed by Me. It is My goal to mature you spiritually. In order to accomplish this, sometimes I have to get your attention. Seek first My kingdom and My righteousness. I use all things for your good, to get your attention, to challenge your faith, to increase your trust in Me, to refine your character, and to return you to Myself.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, and will bring you back from captivity.” (See Jeremiah 29:11-14)

You have been held in captivity by the things of this world. Seek Me with your whole heart again, and you will find Me. Call upon Me, come and pray to Me, and I will listen. I am the Lord. I am your Lord. I know what is best for you, and I want to guide you on the path I have planned out for you. Please seek Me first, before everything else, and then listen for My voice within throughout the day. I am with you always. You have access to Me at all times. I love you, My child. Let Me direct your path.

Iron Sharpens Iron

Jun17


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

My dear children, each of you is as unique as a snowflake. No two are the same. Each one of you is different and possesses a distinctive beauty. Each one enjoys an exclusive adventure with me. Where two or more are gathered, I will be there. When you gather in my name, my Spirit is with you. Your unique life experiences make you a valuable part of the group. As you express my work in you, others will learn from you. From both your successes and failures, incomparable lessons can be learned. Be students of me and each other. The story of one will enhance the life of another. Knowledge of my concepts and my works in each other will refine you and improve your walk with me. As iron sharpens iron, sharpen one another.


 

 

 

You Created Me–I am Yours

Apr8


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139: 13-14)

O Lord, my Lord, you saw me before you created me. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. You ordained all of my days before one of them came to be. You know my heart, O God. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely. Lord, replace my words with your words. Speak through me. I am your instrument of love. Play me as a harp making sweet, pleasing melodies. I am your megaphone. Let me magnify your name, praising you before all nations. Let the words that flow from my lips be a fragrant offering to you, my Lord. May all who hear me, respond in praise to you.

I delight myself in you, my King. I am fearfully and wonderfully made in your image. You live in me and mold me into your likeness day after day. You have refined me like silver and tested me like gold. I belong to you, O Lord. I will glorify your name and lift your name high above the earth. I raise my hands to the heavens in honor of you. You have adopted me as your own. You are my God and Father, my Creator and Sustainer, my Rock and Redeemer. You rule and reign over heaven and earth. Please rule and reign in me, my King. My heart is yours; my tongue is yours; my will is yours. I surrender myself to you. Use me for your glory today and every day. I love you with all my heart.

My child, I saw you before I created the world. I designed you and formed you in your mother’s womb. I laid out your days before you were born. I know your heart and mind. I am familiar with your ways and know the words on your tongue before they are uttered. I will use you to glorify my name in all the earth. You have surrendered yourself to me. You are like putty in my hands. I am the potter; you are the clay. I will mold you and make you after my will. Daily give yourself into my hands, and I will lead you on the path I have marked out for you. Honor me in all you do and say.

Your heart is safe with me. I will guard it against all evil. Be true to me and remain in me, and I will remain in you. I am your God and Father, your Creator and Sustainer, your Rock and Redeemer. I have freed you from your prison. I rebuilt you and refined you to carry out my plans. I am with you always. Be strong and courageous. I go with you wherever I send you. I shadow you in the wings of my protection. You are mine. Nothing will take you over on my watch. I never sleep, nor slumber. You are always on my mind and in my heart, as surely as I live in yours. You are my darling daughter. I love you beyond your comprehension.