Can I be thankful for the pain? Do I trust the discipline? Do I have a mind/heart for discerning God’s intention for my life vs. those assaults and temptations thrown out as snares of the enemy? How much difficulty, troubles or challenges should we really expect as citizens of heaven, bearing the name of the Lord Jesus Christ upon our lives? Considering that the Lord Jesus told us that we would have troubles and be hated for His name, is it realistic or simply delusion to crave a lifestyle without conflict in a world bent for chaos? What level of life difficulty should we anticipate as price of aligning ourselves with Jesus? At root, do we believe God’s Word enough to stand, never denying, never wavering in those moments we are called upon to give a defense of our faith? Do I love God enough to accept, appreciate and thank God for the sanctifying episodes of pain within my life that are used for His Good Purposes? Is His Glory really what I am after?
I am in it right now. You know one of those periods of time where everything is being stripped away, revealing the rough surfaces that are typically hidden below the visible exterior. God is breaking down those remaining barriers, emptying those remaining cupboards and shaping those surfaces which up until now I have either resisted or I thought safe from His masterful touch. What choices are available at this juncture? Should I cry out because the pain is absolutely too much to bear? Yes, for it is not through my own strength or ability that sanctification occurs. I need Jesus, to cleanse me, remake me, steadily providing experiences that shape me, sharpen me and refine me in preparation to spend eternity with a Holy God. My Father, whose salvation is unknown told me before he died that I was to “avoid the temptation to get out of the fire”. If in fact he was unsaved, then the Lord used an unsaved gentile to give a message to me. This Holy Spirit baptism is one of fire, refining us just as the silversmith requires to purifying precious metals. It is in the fire that I meet myself, see my impurities removed and also where God protects me as He walks alongside my time within the furnace. The pain of the fire is more than I can bear alone. Praise God that He is with me in the fire, shaping me, remaking me, making me useful to His intention and Good Will.
I need God, right now in the midst of trial, but I need Him even more when I am in relative comfort and elusive peace. For, I am in the greatest danger of falling when I believe myself beyond the dangers of temptation, safe from the pain of the fire. I must remain armored up, protected by the defenses of God’s Almighty shadow, His righteousness, His faith, His truth, His peace, His salvation, His Mind, walking in His Word utilizing it to dispel falsehood removing the veil of worldly deception so that others might see the truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been saved, cleansed and made righteous by Christ’s Work. I have been set aside and called by the Holy Spirit that indwells every point of my being. I have believed, spoken and used God’s Holy Truth to separate soul from spirit leaving behind only authenticity. I have finally told those with ears to hear about God’s Plan for the salvation of mankind through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is my purpose, this is the reason for my pain, this is the quickening of my soul for which I must cry out to God for the courage, strength and stamina to withstand the times of fire and navigate the times of peace through wisdom. God’s Holy Name be blessed in worship and in Truth. Jesus be praised. May I bring honor and glory to God through a life well-lived upon the road to the foot of His Throne.
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http://www.wnd.com/2015/08/harbinger-man-the-time-is-now-to-prepare/
awrkhakhaya 