Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 2, 2016
I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. Revelation 6:2
A trial by fire purifies. We normally do not invite or look forward to this tool of God’s purification. It is a call to intimacy and dependence on our heavenly Father. Satan’s desire is to drive us from God during our adversity, but God’s heart is to draw us unto Him, as life heats up. Indeed, fiery trials seem to never let up or give up. The refining fires of heaven burn away pride and replace it with humility. Fear evaporates and is overcome by trust. God removes anxiety and replaces it with His peace. Refining fire is hot, but you are not alone.
The Tribulation is a time when all hell breaks loose on earth. The anti-Christ deceives the masses and leads the people to become puppets for his hideous purposes. An evil leader—with evil intentions, leads the people to do evil acts—to kill one another. Though he rides on a white horse, the motives of his heart are blackened by his lust for power. The world is void of peace: hence absent God’s people and the work of the Holy Spirit, since both have been raptured from the earth.
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6).
But what about your present trials? Christ’s care provides a cup of refreshing water for your parched soul. It is for the love of Jesus that you persevere. Be patient. Allow Him to complete His work of refinement. You will love more deeply and forgive more completely. Hope is on the horizon and is already here, as Christ in you is the hope of glory. Hang on to your hope in Him and be made whole. Pain can polarize your relationship with God or it can galvanize it in intimacy.
Let ingratitude be replaced by contentment. Stare into the face of Jesus for He is kind. He understands your plight. He is walking with you and is working through you. Allow God to channel His fiery trials into your character refinement. People will come out and watch a fire burn for God’s glory. Trials are His time to shine, and He shines the brightest when the impurities are the least. Only Christ is left—He is all you need—He is all you want!
“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 3:25).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I trust You as You refine my character by the fires of Your love.Application
How does Christ want to refine my character during my trials and temptations?Related Reading
Deuteronomy 7:19; Zechariah 13:9; Luke 22:28; James 1:2Post/Tweet today
Allow God to channel His fiery trials into your character refinement. #WisdomHunters #trialbyfireWorship Resource
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I think I found your website maybe five, six months ago. I know the Lord is using you guys to touch the hearts of people. I appreciate these devotionals and desire to give part of my offering to help support. I prefer to send through mail. Please let me know where to send. Thanks again. God bless your team.
Dear Jenny,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate your encouraging comments and we are thankful that you “found” our website (no doubt God had a hand in that…)and you are now a member of the Wisdom Hunter’s family. Welcome to the family!!
We are also thankful that you are being blessed by the Wisdom Hunter’s devotionals and give all the glory to God!
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Jenny, let us hear from you from time to time, about the devotionals that you are blessed by and how God spoke to you through them.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18