Guilt

“False guilt will tear you up. Never be guilty of anything unless God says you are. Never be guilty of a thing unless God says you are. Don’t let anybody else dump a bunch of guilt on you because you don’t measure up to what they think you ought to be doing. Don’t let anybody else condemn you and fill you with their condemnation. The only guilt that you ought ever to be concerned about and repent about is between you and your God. Don’t give yourself guilt about stuff that you imagine.”

Wounded in the Will of God ~ Dr. Bill Allison

Something to Contemplate...

Feelings stem from a thought or idea, and fears are generally the root of some small fragment of truth that is exaggerated as the mind is tormented by personal anxieties. Emotions and feelings are similar to pain. Both are born inwardly and are invisible to the human eye, yet they eventually work their way to the surface, affecting a person outwardly. When someone I know is experiencing pain, I cannot personally feel it, yet that pain is real to them, therefore, it should be real to me. Whether a feeling or fear is grounded by fact or not, if it is real to someone, then it is a reality! It must be dealt with, just as physical pain might be acknowledged and then tenderly tended to.
This is called compassion.

What Does LOVE Mean?

Yesterday I came across a cute forward I had printed off several years ago that was sent to me by a friend. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. It's no wonder why kids are so precious to the Lord. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." ~ Psalm 8:2

~ * ~

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of four through eight year olds: "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think...

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca ~ age 8

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy ~ age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
Karl ~ age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy ~ age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri ~ age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny ~ age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."
Emily ~ age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby ~ age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
Nikka ~ age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."
Noelle ~ age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy ~ age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy ~ age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

Clare ~ age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine ~ age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris ~ age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."

Mary Ann ~ age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren ~ age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you."
Karen ~ age 7

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica ~ age 8

The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

And these are a few extras I found without the names and ages of the kids:

"Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings."

"I let my big sister pick on me because my Mom says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her."

"Love is when you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised, because not only do they still love you, they love you even more."

"There are two kinds of love: Our love and God's love. But God makes both kinds of them."

"God could have said magic words to make the nails fall off the cross, but He didn’t. That's love."

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." ~ John 3:16-18

I would say that many of these little kids came to a conclusion that most adults do not even grasp. Love is sacrificial; love is selfless. This is true love!

A Lesson From the Birds

I never thought I would say a bird inspired one of my posts. It’s amazing the spiritual comparisons we can find between nature and the Christian life. The Creator has left us an example in His creation of how things ought to be. If we took the time to stop and study the little creatures God made, we might learn some valuable lessons.

On Monday we noticed that a little brown bird was hanging around the backyard. It seemed to be hurt or sick and was huddled in a sheltered corner by my flower garden. Throughout the day we kept an eye on it, intending to keep away big birds that might hurt it. I think Josiah was hoping a cat would wander into the yard in search of fresh bird so he could have a good reason to do a little shooting. We all felt protective of the poor, little, helpless thing.

As evening settled, I happened to glance out the window and saw a beautiful sight. A very pretty black bird had a berry in its beak and seemed to be feeding the hurt brown bird which was still hiding. I called Mom and Josiah over to see what I thought I saw. We continued to watch, and sure enough, the black bird flew over to our currant tree, picked another berry, and brought it to the brown bird and fed it, like a mother bird feeds her babies. From what we could see, these birds were not even the same kind of fowl, and still the healthy one was caring for the hurt one. Tears shot into my eyes as I thought how wonderful it would be if people, Christians in particular, acted like that! How is it that birds understand this principle of caring, but humans don’t?

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Ecc. 4:9-12

Two are better than one. That little brown bird was sure blessed to have a friend in his time of need. Unable to move, he might have died had the black bird not taken it upon himself to bring food and show support. Unlike these birds, it seems to me that Christians enjoy seeking out the weak and vulnerable, and instead of showing care and concern, they only beat them down to a lower level. Is that a Christ-like action? Is that the kind of example Jesus gave us when He walked on earth? No. He used His strength and power to lift up the weak. He did not make a vain show of how strong and great He was by trampling the physically and emotionally trampled. Instead, He humbled Himself and stooped to our low level, seeking to bring us up to His.

Are we any better than Christ? If He who is the greatest of all would come to earth to serve, should we do any less? And then I look around at Christians today and marvel at what I see. How is it that we feel we have some God-given authority to assess a situation that is none of our business and pronounce judgment on another? Who made us God? How is it that everybody else had better be perfect and treat us accordingly, but we can have our little pet sin? How is it that Christians can tear each other to pieces behind their backs and then be sweet as syrup to the face? Have we lost our ability to blush? Where is the guilty conscience? The depravity of man is becoming more and more apparent. Christians have lost the respect of a lost and dying world…and it is our own fault!!! We behave in a most despicable fashion! What will we say when we stand before a displeased God to whose name we brought such shame? What will we answer Him on that day?

The birds lift up their voices in one glorious melody at the start and finish of each day, but we Christians are not content unless we are lifting up our voices and railing against one another. We sing the church hymns in unison, acting all holy and spiritual, but as soon as church is over we spread our venomous gossip from person to person. And then we have the audacity to complain that there is no unity in the church. The bottom line is that those who are grumbling about there being no unity are themselves destroying the unity, and that is why they feel there is no unity. God hates gossip. Gossip causes question and doubt and slowly erodes foundations of trust and commitment. Gossip is a tool used by the devil and those who are low enough to participate in his game. Satan hates unity. He wants Christian fighting against Christian so we have no time to fight against him. That is his strategy. And, sadly, many foolish Christians are falling for his deceptions.

There are two different kinds of gossip. One is called gossip and truly is gossip, and another is called gossip by those who like to gossip and don’t want to be identified for it. Some people gossip and some people send warning messages. There have been several times when somebody has told me something about somebody in warning of their hidden character. There have been times when I was thankful to have been alerted, for I might have made a terrible mistake otherwise. Here is how you differentiate between a gossiper and a “warner.” A “warner” will warn you and then drop the subject. A gossiper will “warn” you and then proceed to tear that person to shreds.

“The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”

Psalm 37:12-15

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. You know what that means? A wicked person (gossiper) will chew on another person until the juice of his character is pressed out and every fiber of his person is torn and trashed. A gossiper will cut down his victim to another until the one listening no longer has any respect or trust in the individual being victimized. People who do that are like snakes whose poison destroys all who are injected with it. The same tongue that gossiped to you will turn around and gossip about you. A gossiping tongue knows no boundaries. You could just be the next victim. Beware! “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” (Proverbs 26:28) Proverbs 17:4 also says that those who participate by listening to gossip are just as guilty--the Bible says they are wicked! “A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.”

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

1. A proud look

2. A lying tongue

3. Hands that shed innocent blood

4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief

6. A false witness that speaketh lies

7. He that soweth discord among brethren

Do you rejoice when your enemy falls? Do you laugh at those who are hurting? Do you mock those who make mistakes? To do that is to imply that you think yourself above that person. You are exalting yourself as being better. You have a higher opinion of yourself than Jesus Christ did of Himself…He who was worthy to think such a thing! Christ was certainly better than the human race, yet, did He mock us for our multiple mistakes? Did He ridicule us for trying and failing? Did He laugh as our bodies were wracked with pain and His was not? No. He saw our weakness as an opportunity to care. He had compassion. Compassion--that is something that is missing in Christianity today. A healthy bird has compassion on a sick bird, but a Christian does not have the heart to care about another Christian--a human being his equal.

Proverbs 17:5 says that “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.” Poor doesn’t have to mean poor as in money. It can mean being poor in health, position, or possession. Usually whatever is below a person’s standard of “normal” is what they consider poor. We have our own standard of what we consider to be poor, but God measures the term “poor” according to His standard. The Lord looks past a bank account, the cars sitting in the driveway, and the value of a house. He measures a person not by the things which they possess, but by the spirit they possess. How is your spirit towards others? We would be wise to check that, because that is the thing by which God measures the value of a man or woman.

If you look at that verse closely you’ll see that God takes the mockery of others as a personal thing. “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker.” We are created in His image. If you can laugh at someone, then you are really laughing at God and underestimating His design of that person who He created and fashioned in the womb with His own hands. God takes the mockery of others as a highly personal thing! You are reproaching GOD. Be careful! Psalm 139:4 reminds us that “There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.” God knows. Not a one of us can hide anything from Him.

Look at the last part of Proverbs 17:5. “He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.” It is in our human nature to feel a measure of satisfaction when those who have wronged us suffer. In the last week or so that is something I’ve really had to struggle with. It’s not easy to endure the unjust accusations and hurtful reproach of those who have something against my family. In my flesh I think how glad I will be when they suffer for their sin. But that is not very Christ-like. Yes, they will pay, for the Bible guarantees that our sin will find us out. But I should not wish for their destruction. “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” (Proverbs 24:17-18) Over and over there is a clear warning in the Bible that we will reap what we sow. The boomerang always comes back. I’ve seen this in my own life. God has made me love the things I once hated. He has changed my will and my desires around. The things that I dislike in others I suddenly see growing up in my own life. Then, realizing how despicable they are in my sight, I understand that I am no better than another in God’s eyes. It is a humbling thing, to say the least. We do reap what we sow! And that boomerang always comes back. Don’t delight in the sufferings of another. It could just be that you are about to experience similar suffering. Then you will wish you had had a more compassionate spirit…a more Christ-like spirit.

We’ve kept a watchful eye on our hurt little visitor. He seems to have made his home in our yard. Once again, the black bird appeared yesterday evening to feed the little brown bird. We’ve also noticed two little sparrows are hanging around the hurt bird. At first we thought they were going to hurt it or steal the currant berries and sunflower seeds we had set out. But, no! They seemed to hop around the little hurt bird, not pecking and tormenting it, but encouraging it, rather! Whenever the little sparrows or the black bird came near he seemed to get excited, as though his friends were cheering him on and giving him hope to press on. It’s really been quite amazing to see the apparent communication and encouragement being passed between these creatures of God.

If only we would be more like these birds! If only we would follow their example to support and encourage the suffering and wounded instead of tearing each other down. The birds join together as one force against their predators--the cats. If Christians would do the same, we might be able to strike a little fear into that old devil. We need to stop being pawns in his hand. We need to stop playing in his game. It’s about time we stopped allowing him to control our minds and instead were under the mind control of the Holy Ghost. I think we Christians have already done a pretty good job of trashing our testimonies for the Lord. After the things I’ve witnessed in the last two weeks, I don’t blame anybody for not wanting to get saved after seeing what losers so many Christians are. Neither do I blame Christians for not wanting to attend a church because so many church goers are hypocrites. It doesn’t make it right, but it sure makes you think when you look at us from their point of view!

If we don’t start acting different--and I mean totally different--than this world, we are going to totally lose any influence we could have for the cause of Christ. Christian, it is time for CHANGE! And it starts on a personal level. You have to change before you can expect others to change. Gossip starts with one person affecting another person. Likewise, revival starts with one person affecting another person. Both start with only a small flame but can turn into a sweeping forest fire with astounding results. We have the opportunity to spark two very different “fires”--gossip or revival. Which one are you going to start?

Watch Your Words; Keep Your Words

Words are a powerful thing. Words can build up, or words can destroy. God’s written Word, the Bible, will build us up and strengthen us, whereas man’s words will often bring us sorrow and disappointment. I’m thankful I can trust God to keep His word…and to keep my words spoken to Him in secret. 

I marvel as I look back on my life. The day we left the States to be missionaries to the country of Holland I considered it a tragedy that I had to leave all my friends behind. Little did I realize that our separation would be the biggest blessing! Truly, God does work ALL THINGS together for good to them that love Him. The Lord took what looked like a bad thing and used it for my better interest. I am reminded of Joseph’s words to his brothers in Genesis 50:20: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.” If you are serving God wholeheartedly, He is going to use what seems like bad or unfortunate circumstances for His glory and your benefit. 

It wasn’t always easy for my siblings and me to be without young friends our age. The fact is, life became a lot harder when some children in the neighborhood began playing with us. We were put in difficult circumstances and under pressure to do bad things by these “friends.” Sometimes they would talk about things we weren’t allowed to be talking about. A series of minor issues caused my parents to encourage us to slowly separate from our friends. I’m so thankful for my parents’ wise insight. They were looking into the future and seeing what problems would arise if we became polluted by these children. As we grew older, it was clear that our neighborhood friends were going in a different direction, and separation was the only option. That was hard at first, but it got easier with time.    

I used to think I was deprived, not having friends my own age. Besides my siblings I really didn’t have anybody to play with. This caused my family and me to bind in extra special ways. Instead of clinging to my best friends for joy and happiness in life I learned to seek out the Best Friend a girl (or boy) could ever know. Proverbs 18:24 tells of a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. This Friend is Jesus. His arms are outstretched to anyone who is searching to be close to Him. I’m thankful that 13 years of my life were divinely directed away from flighty friends to the ever-faithful Friend, Jesus!

Now I’m 21. I look back on those years as a teenager. Honestly, if you paid me a million dollars I wouldn’t do them over…and this is with growing up in a Christian home and the Lord as my comfort and strength through those years of maturing. I remember the mood swings, the rebellious feelings that would try to take control. There were times when my mom and I really clashed. Those years were crucial. I’m so thankful that my parents were deeply involved in my life and spent their time and energy to make sure I would turn out okay. I thank God for His protection during those years of extreme vulnerability. 

One thing my parents always told me was to talk to them. If I needed to share my thoughts and feelings, they always made themselves available. Fact is, many times I remember Mom sitting on my bed, willing me to talk, but the words just wouldn’t come. Sometimes you just can’t express your emotions with words. Sometimes words aren’t good enough. I remember crying. I felt like a war was raging inside me. I wanted to be a good girl, but it seemed no matter how hard I tried, I was always failing. Everything inside was in turmoil. I felt like I was all alone and nobody could possibly understand. I didn’t realize that my mom had once been in the very place I was in, only she didn’t have the privilege of being brought up in a Christian home, and she didn’t get saved until she was 21. 

Words. I’ve been thinking about them lately, and the great impact they can have on our lives. Our words, or words spoken by others, can make or break us. Proverbs 18:21says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Words have the ability to start world wars, and words have the ability to create peace. How very important our words are! 

I came across this thought-provoking quote recently:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. 

  

The Bible says that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Thoughts do become words. Have you ever had this happen to you, where you are doing something and talking to somebody and suddenly something having to do with what you are thinking about will suddenly pop out of your mouth? I’ve had that happen before. Sometimes it’s funny; sometimes it’s embarrassing. The thoughts we entertain will eventually become verbalized with words. What do you think about? What do you talk about? To whom do you talk?  

My parents always encouraged me to talk to them, not my friends. They knew all too well the devastating results of girls tittering to girls about foolish things and then stabbing each other in the back. My mom has always been there to listen to my words. Words of sadness, words of frustration, words of hope. Now that I’m a grown up lady, I count my mom my best friend. We’ve been through a lot together, and that had made us strong. I know I can confide in Mom, and she will always understand, or at least try to understand. I’ve been able to tell my mom the deepest secrets of my heart, and she has faithfully kept them to herself…which is what a true friend does! Friends our own age will often betray us, but the Lord never will, and if our parents love and are serving God, they never will either. Our parents should always be the ones to whom we turn when we feel the need to share our feelings and dreams.    

Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing.” Some thoughts and words need to be hidden away safely, like a treasure. There was a time when the Lord showed me something from His Word…something that left me in shock for days…and I kept this secret to myself. It was too wonderful and precious to tell. Never had God given me such clear and specific instruction as to His will for my future. For weeks I concealed this thing, and then when I felt I could find the words to describe it, I went to my parents. It would have been fun to tell one of my girlfriends, but I realized that only my parents could appreciate the seriousness of this subject. To approach a friend before my parents would naturally cause them to assume that my news wasn’t as serious as I believed it to be. The king’s messenger will not be sidetracked or convinced to share his confidential message with anyone besides the one who should be receiving it. To spread the news before delivering it to its rightful owner would be to dilute its message. For this reason, I kept my precious secret, only sharing it with my parents, who I knew I could trust. 

Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” In a long list of “times,” Ecclesiastes 3:7 mentions, “A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” There is a time and a place for everything. There is a time to say what is in your heart, and there is a time to keep it quiet. A foolish person says everything he/she is feeling inside, but a wise person hides it in his/her heart, ponders it, and keeps it “till afterwards.” Proverbs 10:32 says, “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” Do acceptable things come from your mouth? A Christian should never go around saying things that make him/her look foolish or that make light of serious things. Watch your words! Keep your words! 

The Bible, especially Proverbs, is full of instructions as to how we should use our lips and what words should come out of them. Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” God gave us two ears and one mouth. That means we should be twice as quick to listen as to speak. And not everything we hear is supposed to be passed on to others. Maturity and godly integrity will cause us to know what is right for us to say to somebody else and what is not right. The Lord doesn’t appreciate gossiping tongues, neither do other people! Can your friends trust you enough to talk in your presence without you spreading every little thing they say around the church, neighborhood, etc.? Proverbs 20:15 says, “There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Are your lips like a precious jewel? 

If you honor your friends, it’s likely that they will honor you. Your TRUE friends won’t embarrass you by spreading your secrets around. Somebody said, “If you wish another to keep your secret, first keep it to yourself.” Very wise suggestion! Because “he who gives up the smallest part of a secret has the rest no longer in his power.” People will turn around and twist your words to another person so they end up hurting you. You can become ensnared by your own words if you aren’t careful who you confide in. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Ouch! That sounds painful. It is! I know from experience.     

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. 

Our thoughts, our words, who we confide in…all these things have the power to change a person for the better or for the worse. Our words are so very important! Watch your words. Keep your words! They have the power to shape your future! 

Counterfeit

We know that Satan is the father of all lies and master of deception. Since the day he fell from Heaven he has made it his objective to manipulate the lives of all who inhabit his temporary kingdom, this place we call earth.

Counterfeit:
1. To make a copy of, usually with the intent to defraud; forge: counterfeit money.
2. To make a pretense of; feign: counterfeited interest in the story.
v.intr.
1. To carry on a deception; dissemble.
2. To make fraudulent copies of something valuable.
adj.
1. Made in imitation of what is genuine with the intent to defraud: a counterfeit dollar bill.
2. Simulated; feigned: a counterfeit illness.

Today we see all types of deception and fraud--counterfeits. For example, we are told there are many ways to God when, in fact, there is only one way--through Jesus Christ. From multiple false religions to fake money, which is another god of this world, we see all manner of counterfeits. Satan is the master of all counterfeit creations. His goal is to thwart our lives with imitations of the real thing God has so skillfully designed. Notice again “To make a copy of, usually with the intent to defraud” and “To make fraudulent copies of something valuable.”

This subject is so extensive that time would fail me to present and address every issue. Instead, I would like to focus on one thing, and that is the subject of relationships in the light of what is counterfeit and what is genuine.

Satan, for the most part, has this world totally deceived, especially on the most essential areas of spiritual matters and eternity. Once a person has gotten saved, the most important battle Satan tried to win has been lost. The eternity of every Christian is forever settled and sure. Our soul’s destiny is secured with eternal life, meaning the only thing Satan has left to tamper with is our short lifetime on earth. I believe all Satan’s vengeance is unleashed or will be attempted to be unleashed, for he realizes how little time he has to make us miserable before we will enter the everlasting joys of Heaven.

I believe that after salvation, the most important decision a person can make is who they will marry. You decided to spend your eternity with Jesus, but who will you spend your life with? For the Christian, our enemy has no control over life after death, but he is determined to make life before death as miserable and wretched as possible. I believe with all my heart that the issue of marriage is the devil’s favorite playground after spiritual things, because a marriage will affect the spiritual state of a Christian. Satan is the master of counterfeit creations. He is no dummy. Certainly he has some clue as to the future of each individual’s life, and he knows just where to place his road blocks and stumbling stones so we will fall and be destroyed. He knows our weaknesses, and he is determined to use them against us.

One common “weakness” we all have is the opposite gender. It often seems to me that the strongest Christians are the ones who have the least amount of discernment in this area…and I’ve seen Satan use this weakness over and over and over again. Many a godly Christian has been destroyed by the one they chose to marry. They settled for a counterfeit--an imitation of the real thing. God’s storehouses are overflowing with good things He longs to entrust into our care. Satan, on the other hand, has a different kind of store filled with second-hand junk he will readily pawn off on anyone who has not set their sights on God’s very best.

Think with me. You are granted the privilege of viewing God’s “map” for you, the blueprint of your life. Then you are allowed to glimpse Satan’s manipulated version of that same blueprint. I can guarantee you that if you compared the two, you would find that they look quite different, but only if you study the details. If you follow along the path of your life from your childhood and teen years to a marriageable age, I just bet you will find the name of the special person God has planned for you. Now look in that general area on Satan’s map. Do you see the name of a counterfeit or counterfeits leading up to that special name on God’s map?

I believe we underestimate our enemy. At different points in our lives I believe God allows us the opportunity of getting glimpses into His perfect plan for our lives through divinely ordained circumstances. I believe that God also allows us to see the stumbling blocks Satan has set up in hopes of our destruction. But too often we think we have it all together. We take one sweeping glance and casually walk on, feeling confident that we are well aware of Satan’s deceptions. We don’t take time to study the details. The Bible says that a prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. Those who don’t study the details of the blueprint are the ones who settle for the counterfeit instead of pressing past that point and reaching for a higher goal--God’s best.

Counterfeit money looks so real it takes an expert to determine whether it is worth anything. Remember the definition of counterfeit: “To make fraudulent copies of something valuable.” Satan is good at what he does. He will go all out to make his counterfeit look like the real thing. It is his highest aim to make a fraudulent copy of the very valuable spouse God created just for you! Only those who are in tune with the Lord and truly seeking His will above their own will be given the wisdom they need to differentiate between the replica and the genuine thing.

My dad knew he was going to marry my mom within minutes of meeting her. He knew she was God’s best for him. It was also during that time that a woman at my dad’s work set her cap for him. One day she threw herself at him, and my dad very literally threw her away from him. Guys from my mom’s past came “calling” again, and ones she didn’t even know were asking her out on a date. I find it so interesting that at this crucial point in my parent’s lives, Satan put my parents in strange circumstances just to see what they would do…what their reactions would be. Would they settle for something cheap, or would they refuse to obtain anything less than God’s ultimate best? Satan’s counterfeit is always easily attainable and won’t cost much at all. But to receive God’s best you have to endure a little hardship…a little waiting…exercise a little patience….a little self-control.

The devil has placed multiple counterfeits in my life to set me off the course of God’s perfect will for my life. They were all godly men…some appeared to be and some truly were, though still not meant for me. They generally all seemed to be good, but they were not the best that God had for me. They were look-alikes, but not the real thing. Now I’m so glad I never settled for a counterfeit, for they would have ruined my life. By God’s grace I’m pressing past the counterfeits that lined my pathway, and I’m reaching for the genuine, the best…God’s best.

I am reserved! That is a wonderful thought! Do you realize you are reserved too? God has someone who He created just for you--your perfect puzzle piece. But you have to battle your way past Satan’s counterfeit or counterfeits, whichever the case may be. I have determined to keep myself for God’s best. I have adopted the mindset of a married woman. I belong to the man God has for me. Others may not see a ring on my finger, but I see one there, for the rules and boundaries I have set in my life and the promise I made to God are as valid as a marriage vow.

A casual mindset is a very dangerous thing, especially in the days in which we live. Even in Christian circles we have casual standards which lead to a casual lifestyle. We see marriages crumbling all around us. There are many reasons. Most of the time marriages fail because they were never started right. It was lust that drew or forced couples to be married. God’s will should be the #1 issue when considering marriage. If you don’t have God’s stamp of approval, your marriage will be a guaranteed failure. You’ve got to have that three-fold cord. People casually enter marriage with the mindset that divorce is always an option, when marriage is a lifelong covenant. Once broken, God’s Word firmly states that, except in the case of death, marriage should never be entered into a second time. The commitment-eroding practice of dating is the main reason why folks so casually enter the marriage relationship and then divorce and remarry once, if not several times. We greatly lack the one-man woman or one-woman man mindset. Another reason why divorce is so common today is because people don’t make rules for themselves and their own safety…not to mention the safety of the yet-to-be relationship of their marriage. Casual thinking = casual standards = casual lifestyle. I have set certain rules or boundaries for myself to ensure the safety of my yet-to-be marriage. The bottom line is that what we do before our marriage we will most certainly do after our marriage. If you have a casual attitude towards the opposite gender before your marriage, you will have a casual attitude towards the opposite gender after your marriage.

As an example, here are some rules that either I have made for myself or my parents have made for me:

1. I don’t write guys regularly, except for business reasons. When I am married it would certainly not be appropriate for me to be writing any man other than my husband, except strictly for business purposes, of course.

2. I don’t call guys. It is never a girl’s place to call a guy unless they have a serious understanding. (Even then, I like the old-fashioned idea that the man takes the initiative and the woman lets him.) When I am married I do not intend to be calling men and talking for long periods of time as if we were best friends. My husband will be my best friend.

3. I don’t leave comments on the blogs of guys I don’t know. I’ve recently come to realize how forward that comes across…not only to the young man receiving the comments, but the young lady who will belong to the young man, whether she knows him at that point or not. It is like waving a flag and saying “You don’t know me, but I’m here…just so you know!” And since it is never a girl’s place to pursue a guy, that should not be happening. When I am a married woman I would not comment on the blog of another man. It would not come across right--to the man or to my husband. I would not want people getting the wrong impression, even if I mean nothing improper by it.

4. My personal information is not accessible to just anyone. As a married woman I would not want just anybody to be able to contact me by phone, email, etc., nor do I believe my husband would appreciate that either. It would not be guarding my marriage to allow strangers or others with wrong intentions to get a hold of me, especially at times when I might be weak and vulnerable to Satan’s counterfeits.

5. I do not initiate conversations or converse for long periods of time with men. If I sense that a male is too familiar in the way he looks at me or converses with me, I go out of my way to avoid him or am otherwise sure he knows by my coolness that there is no mutual interest. When I am married I do not intend to approach and then carry on long conversations with men. I would not want my husband to do so, therefore I won’t do it.

6. I don’t go around complimenting guys my own age. It is not proper, and even if nothing is meant by it, the guy could take it wrong. Guys and girls should not go around complimenting each other on their looks, etc., unless there is some sort of serious understanding between the two. It would be considered extremely improper for a married man or woman to address the appearance of the opposite gender. I would not want my husband complimenting anyone but me, and for that reason I will never compliment any man I don’t intend to marry.

7. I do not hold the gaze of men. Eye contact is an extremely personal thing, when you consider that the eye is the gateway to the heart. I am especially careful of not meeting the eyes of guys on the street. I could never have a relationship with a lost man, therefore I am careful to keep all doors leading in the direction firmly SHUT! A girl should even be careful of holding the eyes of Christian young men. Though they are Christians, and one of them could certainly be intended for you, you still belong to the one God has chosen for you. By holding the gaze of the opposite gender, a certain line is crossed and an invisible barrier is broken. Even if the Bible did not address the subject of the eyes and the heart being intricately connected, we know by instinct that eyes are powerful. As soon as we feel a particular attraction to the opposite gender, our eyes are ever searching to meet the gaze of the other. A few times I have quietly observed couples, either married or engaged to be married, and I could not describe to you the silent messages of love that passed between the two as their eyes were fixed on each other. Our eyes can reveal things that we would never dare say with words. Avoiding eye contact is often viewed as a weakness or insecurity, but I believe it is a safety precaution every Christian, married or unmarried, should exercise. The heart is reached by the gate of the eye. By allowing someone to gaze into my eyes, I am giving them access to my heart. The only one who should have access to my heart is my husband, therefore I will not allow anyone of the opposite gender look into my eyes for too long before dropping my gaze or occasionally looking away. I am keeping my eyes and any messages my eyes might reveal only for my husband.

8. I do not share the deepest secrets of my heart with my friends. How often have we come to the sad realization that friends are untrustworthy? A young man or woman should confide only in parents or others who are older and have more wisdom and will give good counsel. God has given me parents in whom I can confide. And one day I will confide in my husband as I once confided in my parents. My parents are temporarily playing the role of my husband. When I am married I would never confide in another male friend, for doing so would break the hedge that should surround married couples. Since I do not intend to share my deepest thoughts and secrets with another male companion once I am married, neither do I confide in my friends, but instead I confide in my parents who represent my husband.

Several weeks ago I was at the salon having my hair cut. As we conversed, the woman cutting my hair suddenly asked if I had a boyfriend. Then she half-teasingly, half-seriously said that she shouldn’t ask that, seeing as my mom was only a few feet away and could hear our whole conversation. I felt embarrassed even entertaining the thought of what she was implying and that I would keep something of such importance from my parents. As kindly as possible, but with an unwavering firmness, I told the woman that, first, I don’t have a boyfriend, and secondly, I talk with my mom about everything. We don’t have secrets. I think she was shocked upon hearing that, and after the shock passed I got the faint impression that she was envious of the open relationship I have with my mother…though she would never have admitted it.

You see, this insane world teaches us that parents are the enemy and it is only in our friends that we should confide. And in the same way, Satan is determined to have married couples having close and too familiar relationships with the opposite gender so that the precious marital relationship will be destroyed by a lack of communication and, therefore, a lack of trust. I tell my parents about my hopes and dreams, as I will one day communicate those intimate thoughts and feelings to the man I marry.

These are just a few boundaries I have set for myself and the protection of my yet-to-be marriage. I’m sure there are others I haven’t addressed, but for the sake of being brief, I will have to stop here.

What are you doing to protect your marriage before it gets a start? The sad thing is that most people really don’t even care. They are going to do what they want, regardless of what is right and regardless of what is for their own good. The world has taught us to do what feels good and to live for the present, when God tells us to do what is right and live for the future! Today I see girls who don’t give a rip about God’s will. Manipulating and conniving, they push their own will through. They are determined to get the guy they want and nothing will hinder them in their quest. I am reminded of the wicked woman of Proverbs who hunts for the precious life. There is nothing godly about it, no matter how innocent one may wish to make it appear. “Christian” girls have lost their shame, as is quite apparent by their bold actions and presumptuous words or implications and sly suggestions. Today little whores fill the house of God, with the pretence of holiness, while their objective is to seduce young men who are trying to follow the Lord. (If you heard the stories I have, you would realize that the strong term used is extremely accurate.) It is bad enough that men struggle when they are out in the world. The church should be a haven of rest from the seductive hounding outside the church walls…but it is not. Woe, woe, woe to these wicked girls! And woe to their parents! Obviously mothers have taught their daughters nothing in the area of how a girl should behave around young men. And apparently fathers are blind and have no authority in their homes, otherwise they would restrain their rebellious daughters. I have to seriously wonder about the parents of these little “sanctified” whores in the church. They are getting their examples from somewhere--whether from the wrong friends, from TV and magazines, or maybe even from their own parents. The bottom line is that parents are preoccupied with their own lives and aren’t exercising their parental authority. God will hold these parents accountable on the day of judgment. And what a FEARFUL thing that will be!!!

I often cringe to think how deceived we are about ourselves. How many of us, while thinking we are right with God, are, in fact, walking in rebellion to God’s ways? We look at others with condemnation while justifying our own evil deeds. We would do well to examine ourselves and check our motives. Our hearts are deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Perhaps God will bring something to light that we might be wholly righteous before Him and not be as the hypocritical Pharisees.

As young ladies, we hold in our hands the power to build or destroy a man. That power should never be underestimated. Satan has certainly taken every opportunity to use feminine power to corrupt the minds and lives of men and boys alike. “By means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread.” (Proverbs 6:26) As Christian girls we should also take advantage of the influencing power God has granted us and use it to encourage and strengthen our brothers in the Lord. A Christian girl has no business dressing or acting like a whore. We should not fall for Satan’s counterfeit, neither should we allow ourselves to be used as a counterfeit to cause someone of the opposite gender to stumble. Do you love your yet-to-be marriage enough to protect it? I encourage you to search your heart and examine your motives. Don’t be a counterfeit, and don’t settle for a counterfeit. God has someone special for you! Wait on the Lord!

“You Tell on Yourself” Poem

I found this poem in an old magazine and thought it was worth sharing. Certainly something to think about! “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,
By the very manner in which you speak,
By the way you employ your leisure time,
By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell on yourself by the things you wear,
By the spirit in which your burdens you bear,
By the type of things at which you laugh,
By the records you play on your phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,
By the things of which you delight to talk,
By the manner in which you can bear defeat,
By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the library shelf,
By these things and more, you tell on yourself.

~ Author Unknown

Ladies and Gentlemen

“Ladies and Gentlemen…” This is a phrase regularly used in speeches, yet I greatly fear that we do not comprehend the meaning of the words, for today there are so few true ladies and even fewer gentlemen!!! There was once a time when it was customary for a man to act like a gentleman and a woman to act like a lady. Today we marvel when some act of politeness is done or a kind word is spoken or a child behaves well in public.

As a girl who notices these things, I really have to be honest and admit that I know few gentlemen. For that matter, I know few ladies. Like the lost art of building cobblestone houses, somewhere along the way we have lost the ability to raise ladies and gentlemen. I, for one, love to be treated like a lady, but I realize why girls are not treated like ladies.
One can spot a lady at first glance. Today I look around and see silly, giggling, half-dressed girls parading about in skin-tight tight jeans and skimpy shirts and filthy-minded, lusting boys. This is a two-way street. BOTH parties are guilty!

It is interesting to note that manners were prevalent in the days when women wore clothing that covered the body--not exposed it. (Pants expose the body!) A woman who wishes to be treated as a lady should dress like a lady and act like a lady and talk like a lady. The reason why men may generally treat women like trash is because women generally dress, and therefore act, like trash. If women would respect themselves enough to cover themselves, men would respect the fact that women respect themselves and act accordingly--with respect!!! In many ways the reason why men do not act like gentlemen today is not solely the fault of the male population, but of the females!!!

“The more you act like a lady, the more he will act like a gentleman!”

There is another reason, I believe, why men do not act like gentlemen. God gave men strong arms so they could open big doors and carry heavy boxes. Rarely do I have the pleasure of a gentleman holding the door or “rescuing” me when I’m carrying a heavy load. I personally think men are afraid that if they do help a lady, she will immediately assume that he “likes” her. It is wrong for ladies to make that assumption simply because one of the few, almost-extinct gentlemen out there is alert enough to come to their aid. On the other hand, I totally understand why a lady would think this, because it often appears that the only men willing to help are those who have ulterior motives--they do like the girl and are seeking to impress her. This is wrong!!! A gentleman should be a gentleman, not for his own personal gain, but because it is the right thing to do.

I found this list of manners for gentlemen. Neat stuff!

1. Gentlemen have respectful attitudes which lead to respectful actions and words. They greet people with a smile, nod, or “hello” as they pass people. Their attitude is one of putting others first, based on The Golden Rule, to treat others the way they would like to be treated.


2. Gentlemen use respectful words: “Please,” “Thank You,” “You’re Welcome,” and “Excuse Me.” Instead of “What?” and “Huh?” they say “Pardon me?” or “I’m sorry?” They say “Yes, Ma’am” and “No, Sir” respectfully. They never use cursing or cussing words. Gentlemen also have the courage to use difficult words like, “I’m Sorry,” “I made a mistake,” and “Will You Forgive Me?”


3. Gentlemen open doors for Ladies and allow them to pass through first, saying, “After you!”


4. Gentlemen walk a Lady to the car and open the car door for her.


5. A Gentleman offers his seat to a Lady. Gentlemen should offer their seat to their elders or pregnant women in crowded buses or waiting rooms. A gentleman sacrifices his own comfort for the comfort of a lady. Never be seated until your mother is seated.


6. A Gentleman helps a Lady (his wife) put on her coat or sweater. He also offers to help carry heavy packages for a lady. Children offer to carry the bags for their mothers. If the lady drops something, the gentleman will pick it up for her.


7. Gentlemen stand when a Lady enters the room or when he is introduced to someone.


8. Gentlemen seat a Lady at the dinner table before they seat themselves. They rise when ladies excuse themselves and when they return. The gentleman takes care of the lady to his right.


9. The Gentleman protects a Lady from danger. He walks on the curb side of the road as a courtesy of protection and to keep the lady from getting splashed by puddles. He also stands behind a lady on an escalator going up; and in front of her going down to protect her from falling.


10. A Gentleman will never EVER hit or hurt a Lady. A boy must never hit or hurt a girl, but rather use his strength to protect a girl.

I’d like to make a few comments in regards to Rule #2:
Gentlemen also have the courage to use difficult words like, “I’m Sorry,” “I made a mistake,” and “Will You Forgive Me?”
This world somehow has the warped thinking that if a man admits that he is wrong he is less than a man. I totally disagree!!! A girl will only respect a man who can admit when he is wrong!!! I am a girl, and I would know! This is a principle I have seen in my dad. When he is wrong he comes to me and admits it and asks me to forgive him. That only makes me love and respect him more!!! A man who cannot admit his failures has a serious heart problem! It’s called pride.

“A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings intentionally.”

I really like Rule #10:
A Gentleman will never EVER hit or hurt a Lady. A boy must never hit or hurt a girl, but rather use his strength to protect a girl.
While looking up some things about gentlemanly behavior I came across this quote: “A gentlemen is one who never strikes a woman without provocation.” WRONG! A gentleman is one who never strikes a woman even with provocation. (Ladies can work along with this by acting like ladies, which means never shouting or screaming or acting like a brawling woman. “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” Remember: The more you act like a lady, they more he will treat you like a lady!) A gentleman is one who NEVER strikes a woman for any reason whatsoever! A gentleman is one who can control his anger, whether a person is deserving of it or not. Only coward uses brute force! Proverbs 16:32 says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” A gentleman is a man who never touches a lady or a girl except to show love and kindness.

“My boy,” said a father to his son, “treat everybody with politeness, even those who are rude to you; remember, you show courtesy to others, not because they are gentlemen, but because you are one.”

What do you see in your mind’s eye when you hear the word “gentleman”? A man sitting cross-legged with a cup of tea and his pinky in the air? No!
When I hear the word gentleman I picture a man, not necessarily tall or dashingly handsome, but a man of character. A man who knows when to be tough and when to be tender. A man who can laugh and cry. A man who will admit when he’s wrong. A man who can cook and clean when it is necessary and doesn’t feel that his manhood is threatened or his reputation is at stake. A man who can tenderly cradle a baby, and with the same strong arm can protect and defend if the need arises. A gentleman is a man who won’t let majority opinion sway his firm beliefs and convictions even when they aren’t popular. A gentleman is one who can control himself, his mind and his actions. This man will not only provide for the physical needs of his family, but will also lead them emotionally and spiritually. He is a man who loves God above all others. This man is a gentleman!

“A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.”

Sacrifice

Several months ago I started doing a study on sacrifice, but I lost my notes, so I’m going to have to start over again. Bare with me here as I plunge into some thoughts and interesting Scripture verses on the subject…


Sacrifice for a Selfish Deed

The subject of sacrifice, as opposed to selfishness, is very interesting when you consider that selfishness was the cause or the reason that we find ourselves living in a disaster-filled world today, and a sacrifice was needed to rectify the wrong of that first selfish deed.

If we go back to the very beginning of the world--that would be the book of Genesis--we see that God created two perfectly sinless people named Adam and Eve. They lived in the Garden of Eden and were told they could eat of any tree they wished to…all except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan, in the form of a snake, tempted Eve. This is a conversation that transpired between the two…

Serpent: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
Eve: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”
Serpent: “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

Satan promised that with the fruit of the forbidden tree came the supernatural knowledge of godhood. Selfishness, or self-interest, triggered Eve to reach out and take the fruit, because she wanted to be better than God had made her and better than God Himself.

THE RESULTS: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Genesis 3:1-7

Selfishness was the first sin of disobedience to God, and today we still see that selfishness is a predominant curse which has destroyed and continues to destroy the human race.
The deed was done, and now a sacrifice was required.

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12


Sacrifice of a Lamb

The first sacrificial deed ever recorded in human history is found in Genesis 3:21, when God killed an innocent animal to clothe Adam and Eve who realized their naked, and now sinful selves.

The first sacrifice for sin made by man is recorded in the Genesis 4, when Abel killed a lamb, thereby making temporary atonement, or payment, for his sins. From Genesis all the way to the books of the Gospels we see that the continual sacrificing of an animal was made to hold off God’s wrath towards sinful mankind. The blood of an animal was substituted for the life’s blood of a human who deserved to die.

In Exodus 12 we read that the captive Israelites were to kill a lamb and swipe the blood on the doorposts of their houses so that the firstborn would be spared when the death angel passed through the streets of Egypt.

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 12:12-13

Blood was the only payment that would suppress God’s fury towards disobedient man. Hebrew 9:22 says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

There’s a trail of blood leading from the first act of sin, and it continues on and on throughout the pages of the Bible. God, in His holiness, knew that the sin offering of an animal was only a temporary reconciliation, a band aide, if you will, for the real problem. The only payment that could permanently cancel God’s terrible judgment on mankind was the blood offering of a sinless person. But WHO? Who could save a people lost in sin?


Sacrifice of The Lamb

God Almighty sat on His great throne. His voice, like the sounds of many waters, thundered out, “Who will go and redeem My people?” The soft whispering of thousands of angels echoed like the soft rustling of reeds throughout the courts of Heaven. Who? Who would go? Suddenly One arrayed in garments as bright as the sun stepped forward. A hush fell. “I will go, Father. I will buy them back.” It was the voice of the perfect, spotless Son of God.

And God so loved the world full of lost sinners that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born of a young virgin, to live a sinless life, and finally to offer Himself as the perfect Lamb.

The sky was black as pitch. The ground trembled underfoot, and a terrible rumbling filled the heavens. The stifling air seemed almost about to crack with an unexplainable tension.
People stood all around, silent, as though expectant of something unknown. Earlier there had been much noise and commotion. The angry shouts of soldiers. The echoing ring of a hammer striking a nail. A long scream. A thud. Then groanings of agony.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. The occasional flash of lightening bathed the scene before me in an eerie glow. Through the dim light I discerned the form of three crosses on a hilltop. To the left and right hung two thieves to die as they deserved, but…there was something about that middle cross that drew my somber gaze. The sight I saw was one of indescribable suffering.
A body stretched on rough wood, nailed at the wrist and the feet. Blood flowed in torrents from that cross. Pooling at its foot, it ran in small streams off the side of the hill.
And as my eyes gazed upward, past a body so bruised and beaten and bloody, I saw the face of a man, almost unrecognizable. It was the face of One who had endured torture and mocking.
On His head was a crown of long, sharp thorns planted firmly into the scalp. I took in this scene of excruciating agony…and words failed me.
Suppressed emotions almost choked me and I felt hot tears welling in my eyes. I had almost turned away, but then my eyes met His gaze, so stead and sure. His eyes… I never saw such eyes. Such innocent eyes. Such love radiating, as though from a supernatural source. What I read there was not anger or rage or hate, but…forgiveness. He seemed to look right through me…as though He was seeing into my very soul.
I lowered my head, feeling shame and guilt because I knew what secrets I guarded inside, and still I felt the warmth of His love washing over me. I backed away in confusion and cowered in the shadows.
All was still and calm. Then came a soft voice, breaking the quietness. “Father! Forgive them, for they know not what they do!” I could hardly believe my ears, but I saw His lips utter those astounding words. The soldiers and others close enough to hear whispered among themselves. Who was this man that forgave those who had so cruelly abused Him without a cause?
It grew darker still and the low rumbling noise increased. The air seemed charged with a strange, unidentifiable energy. It was as though the whole universe stood still as if transfixed, time had stopped, and the eyes of nature were focused on this scene as though it was the axis on which all history--past, present, and future--turned. Tension mounted. Then a powerful cry wrenched the air. “IT IS FINISHED!”
The earth shook violently. Suddenly the sky exploded with crashing thunder and lightening licked the ground as quick flashes of blinding white light pierced the blackness--like a snake furiously lashing out its tongue at its victim. The heavens above opened up and angrily unleashed pounding rain and hail.
I fell to the ground as though struck, and as I did so, my hand splashed in sticky liquid. Blood. His blood. Trembling, I gazed up at the now limp form stretched on the cross. It was as though an unseen battle had been waging all that time as He hung there dying…and now, with His last breath, it was won!
Surely, this was the Son of God who had taken the sins of the world in His body and bled and died that we might live. Jesus Christ, the Lamb, had offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first [lamb offering], that he may establish the second [Jesus’ offering on the cross]. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Hebrews 10:4-10


Spiritual Sacrifices

The need for animal sacrifice was done away with when Christ completed His work on Calvary. The blood of Jesus washes away our sins. Praise God!!! Still, the Lord asks sacrifices of us, His blood-bought children.

We talk quite freely about sacrifice, but do we really know what we mean when we say “sacrifice?” I didn’t realize until recently how many verses there are that mention specific sacrifices that we, as Christians, are to make.

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

Each one who has received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour is like a building stone, a brick, and together we make a spiritual house, a church, and it is there that we offer sacrifice--not bulls and lambs, but spiritual sacrifices.

The following points were such a blessing to me! Let’s take a look at some of these spiritual sacrifices…

~ Body
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

How do we present our bodies as a living sacrifice? As Christians it is our obligation to look, dress, smell, talk, act, and live like the blood-bought children of the highest King of kings and Lord of lords! This is certainly a sacrifice; it’s not always easy! But Paul says it’s your “reasonable service.” Translated, that means this: it’s really not too much to ask. It’s reasonable!

As ladies it is our responsibility to dress in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord and helps our brothers in Christ grow closer to Him; that means we don’t cause them to lust! Guys have the responsibility to be clean-shaved and have a short haircut and also to dress in a neat way that glorifies God’s name.

Not only are we supposed to be outwardly presentable, but we should act and live in a way that is holy and acceptable to God. People around us are studying us. What do they see? Are we blameless? The Bible refers to our lives as letters known and read of all men. Do people look at you and detect a noticeable difference? It’s only reasonable that you look different from this world since you’ve been born into the kingdom of God.

~ Righteousness & Trust
“Stand in awe, and sin not…Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.” Psalm 4:4-5

It’s a sacrifice to live righteously. The world doesn’t like somebody who tries to be different--a person who goes against the grain. You can be guaranteed that if you are living right, Satan is going to throw everything he’s got your way. Be prepared! It’s not easy, but it is the only path that leads to lasting reward.

“Put your trust in the Lord.” Trusting the Lord is a sacrifice for sure. There are times in my life when I’ve looking to heaven and cried, “What are You doing?! I don’t understand!!!” The Christian life is a pathway that sometimes requires blind faith. I have to trust that God is working all things together for good because I love Him (Romans 8:28).

~ Love
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

If you have a family and live with them 24 hours a day, then you already know it’s a sacrifice to walk in love and keep walking in love. Brothers and sisters can test one’s patience to the limit. We have a saying in our house. “Smile and nod.” Sometimes it’s best to just shut up. A soft answer (or no answer at all) turneth away wrath.

Then there are other times when you meet up with brothers and sisters in the Lord who you love but don’t really get along with well; sometimes people’s personalities tend to clash. Remember what Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” The best way to learn to love somebody is to pray for them. “Lord, help me to love ______ with Your love, because mine isn’t sufficient of itself.”

~ Communication
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

Communication is essential for everyday living. Those who don’t communicate properly often have a difficult time in life. Often busy schedules can cause it to be even more difficult to communicate effectively, as people are racing about in life. Communication is a sacrifice. I know I often have a hard time putting my feelings into words and letting those I love get a glimpse into my heart.

Paul says, “To do good…” In other words, it’s a good thing to communicate! There are so many ways of communication, especially these days when we not only have snail mail, but email and instant messaging and unlimited phone service. Anybody can reach anyone just about anywhere at any time.
Being a missionary’s daughter, I often think how blessed we are to be able to contact those we love in just a matter of minutes, across the great expanse of an ocean. God is so good! Sometimes, though, I think that as the means of communication has progressed unbelievably, people communicate less. Life gets busy, and sometimes we become so preoccupied with our lives that we forget about others. We forget about lonely missionaries on foreign fields, and even those closer to home, like the older folks in our churches.
Those of us who are young often tend to be selfish. (Yes, it’s that very first sin from our father Adam rearing its ugly head once again.) Our whole life lies before us, and we have so many grand plans we wish to carry out. We forget that we aren’t the only ones who have physical, and even more important, emotional needs.
We would do well to STOP for just a few minutes and ask the Lord how we can reach out to others. We need to let Christ have some say in our lives for a change! How can we communicate better? Maybe take some time and sit down and write a missionary or somebody who is going through a struggle, or bring some fresh baking to an older person in your church. It’s a sacrifice of your time and your energy, but you might be surprised how happy you could make a soul that is so very precious to the Lord. And in the meantime you’ll make yourself glad as well, because you’ve made a spiritual sacrifice to God!

What do you think is the most important message we can communicate to those around us? The Gospel! Soul winning isn’t an easy thing, at least, it isn’t easy for me. I think even the most outgoing person on this earth has a hard time speaking with people about the fact that they are sinners and their sin is going to send them to Hell. There’s that element of pride inside that screams, “You look like an idiot! You shouldn’t be offending these people! What will they think of you?” And then there is that nagging fear of, “What if I say something wrong? What if I don’t have the right answer?” Soul winning isn’t an easy task, yet the Lord says we are not to forget to communicate in this way and that He is well pleased with this sacrifice.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

~ Thanksgiving & Praise
“And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107:22
“I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.” Psalm 54:6
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” Psalm 116:17
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15
“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving.” Jonah 2:9

Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by trying situations we never believed could exist…and certainly not in our lives. Marital problems, financial problems, relationship problems, health issues…the list goes on and on. It’s hard not to become depressed under such a load of cares. This is when giving thanks and praise to God becomes a sacrifice. It’s so easy to be glad when life is going fine, but the true test of sacrificial thanksgiving and praise is when we’re surrounded by trouble and there seems to be no way out. We have a choice--curse God or bless Him.

As Job lay covered in sores, all his children dead, and earthly possessions stolen or destroyed, his wife’s advice was, “Curse God and die.” (Nice lady!) Job’s response was this: “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” And the Bible continues on to say “In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” Job refused to put the blame for his trials on God and yield to the pressure of his wife and “friends.” Instead, Job offered a sacrifice of praise most precious to God. “And [Job] said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’”

~ Joy
“And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” Psalm 27:6

Joy is the fruit of the sacrificial gifts of thanksgiving and praise. When God sees a heart willing to trust and praise Him even in tribulation, He gives a wellspring of joy, and we make a sacrifice when we pour that joy out before Him in the midst of trials. Often we face what are called every-day irritations. Sometimes it’s not so much the big problems that cause frustration as the many small ones.

Everything you touch falls to the ground and smashes to smithereens. The kids spill milk and food all over the kitchen or track mud onto the freshly scrubbed floors. You feel sick, and nobody understands how ill you are. You can’t stand your job. You are ridiculed at school because you are a Christian. You feel like too much is expected from you, and you can’t do anything right. Life seems to be pressing in on every side. Everything adds up until there is an explosion of anger or tears.

At these times it truly is a sacrifice to be joyful. It’s a sacrifice to say, “Praise the Lord anyway!” and trust that better days are ahead. David said, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11) When we find ourselves in a crisis, we need to stop and find a quiet place and get in God’s presence. It is there that we will discover the refreshing our souls desire and the fortitude to go on. And then in the middle of what feels like chaos we offer the sweet sacrifices of joy to the Lord.

~ Prayer
“LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2

David compared his prayer, the deepest longings of his heart, as a sacrifice to God. Prayer is one of the hardest things I do. When it comes time to pray all at once I can think of several unpleasant jobs that suddenly look very appealing. And when it’s not that problem, then it’s the distractions that never fail to come up. I have to force myself to bow the knee before God.

Why is prayer so difficult? Well, for one thing, my wicked, prideful flesh doesn’t like to humble itself in prayer. When I pray I’m admitting that I have no strength or wisdom of my own. I am throwing myself on God’s mercy, acknowledging that I need divine help and guidance in my life. Prayer is a battle, in that I am turning my back on all that my eyes can see and my hands can touch, and I am reaching out in faith for that which cannot be felt or seen. I’m exiting the temporal world and entering the spiritual realm of the eternal. This is when I come in contact with God and my spirit is refreshed. For this reason the devil hates a praying Christian, so pray, Christian!!! Offer the sacrifice of prayer to God! It is a worthy endeavor indeed!

~ Broken Spirit & Contrite Heart
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17

That which is viewed by this world as despicable is beautiful to the Lord. He loves a spirit of submission and contrition. Is it any surprise that this, also, is seen as a sacrifice to God? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus blessed those whom the world would reject. The poor in spirit, those that mourned, the meek, those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted.

God willingly accepts those who come to Him in humility, realizing their need, but He turns His back to the proud. “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” (Psalm 138:6) How do we captivate God’s attention? By eliminating every despicable speck of selfish pride. By coming to Him with a heart broken by the realization of sin and a spirit of repentance. One of the greatest displays of sacrifice is prayer and fasting. Truly getting a hold of God!!! Jesus said, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29) Some things just won’t change unless we show God that we are serious.

Has there ever been a time in your life when you were extremely upset about something--perhaps a friend or loved one who was backslidden or lost--when you wanted something so desperately that you were willing to do anything, to give up anything, in order to see God work? Sometimes the sorrow is so overwhelming that words just won’t come…they aren’t enough. Then “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

Have you spent time crying out to God, sobbing for the deepest burdens of your heart? Have you shown Him the results of a broken spirit? God hears the cry of the righteous. As a father, when he hears his child crying, the Father in Heaven looks down and sees and hears and comforts and mends the broken hearts of His children. It is a sacrifice well pleasing to God when we care so much about others that we become broken for them.

Then there are some things that won’t change until we get right! I wonder how often we have stood in God’s way. How many times has our pride, our selfishness, our own great plans, hindered a marvelous work He was willing to do? Christian, don’t stand in God’s way; that is a dangerous place to be! We need to be so very careful that sin does not rob us of the blessings God desires to pour out upon us.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

~ Giving
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:17-19

In this verse Paul is speaking to the Philippians about their gifts to him, which he said were a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God. The Bible speaks many times about tithing. It is every Christian’s responsibility to give 10% of his or her income to the Lord. This is to support the pastor, the church, and missionaries. Paul was a missionary, and he needed financial support to continue the ministry he had received of the Lord. He accepted the gifts from the Philippians as their sacrifice to God.

God does not call every Christian into fulltime ministry and service on the mission field. Few are called, but those left behind to stay “with the stuff” have their own responsibilities. God gives those members in the church a part in missionary work by supporting the workers on foreign fields financially and with prayer. So, you see, as long as we are sacrificing as we ought to be, we are all missionaries, whether we go to the mission field or stay on the home front and supply the needs of foreign laborers.

Not only should we be giving our money to the Lord, but our time and effort as well. God desires our bodies as living sacrifices. How can we become a living sacrifice? By giving ourselves! “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” (2 Corinthians 8:5) Recently I heard the story of a young couple who goes to the alter to surrender to the mission field every time they have a missions conference at their church. They make themselves available to God…and that is all He asks. God sees our willingness to serve as though we had already done it! (Romans 4:17) When we give God our best, He promises to supply all our needs. Our need determines God’s supply!

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

Better Than Sacrifice

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22

With all these sacrifices mentioned above, we haven’t mentioned the ultimate spiritual sacrifice that God requires of His children. The greatest offering we can ever give God is the sacrifice of absolute obedience. Better than anything else we could offer Him is a will totally surrendered to the Lord.

King Saul thought he could please God by sacrificing cattle when his orders were to destroy everything that belonged to the Amalekites. Instead of obeying, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered up sacrifices in carnality. Saul had a fake sense of holiness. He did what appeared to be right, but he was really in rebellion to God’s will. The price he paid was high--his removal from the throne and eventually his life.

“Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

Beware of false holiness! Deeds not done from the heart do not count. We cannot offer one spiritual sacrifice and think we escape the others that we do not like. God must be obeyed all the way. Once we have abandoned our will to Him, all the sacrifices above will come naturally as the Spirit of God works in our lives. The first step to spiritual victory is this--obedience.

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

When God Corrects

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
…From the direction of the papaw bushes I heard Circus’s voice scolding loud and hard. “Stop it! Come back here, you mongrel! Leave that rabbit alone!”

I knew Ichabod wasn’t any mongrel, which is a dog of mixed breed. Ichabod was a purebred black-and-tan. Circus was calling him a mongrel because he was disgusted with him for some reason….

Then I saw Circus. He didn’t seem to realize what was going on or that we were anywhere around. He kept on calling Ichabod in a scolding voice. I noticed also that he had picked up a switch and was waiting for his hound to come to him so that he could give him a lesson in hunting--not to get off onto a rabbit trail when he was supposed to be on a red-hot other animal trail.

Just as I thought, Circus gave his cute, very sad little hound a small switching and scolding, saying down to him--and apparently still not realizing that we were around--“Rabbits are trash! Do you understand? I started you off on a coon trail, and you were doing fine until that bunny jumped up right in front of your nose, and you let him interrupt you! If you’re going to be a trash trailer, you’ll be a terrible disappointment. You won’t be worth a hill of beans if you don’t learn to concentrate!”

I broke in then, saying “Rabbits aren’t trash!” I was thinking how very cute small bunnies are and also remembering one I had seen being eaten by a huge stub-tailed wildcat down by the mouth of the branch yesterday.

“Part of the time they’re trash,” Circus answered like a teacher correcting a boy in class. “Any game the hunter isn’t after at the time is trash. That’s the name they give it. I’m training Ichabod not to get sidetracked onto anything--not rabbit, possum, skunk, or anything--when I’ve started him on something else.”

I looked down at Ichabod’s sad face and felt sorry for him. It seemed a shame he’d had to be punished. I guess maybe Circus felt even worse than I did about it, though, for a second later he was down on his knees hugging his cute little black-and-tan and crooning to him, “I’ve got a plan for your life. I can’t let you be a trash trailer. You’ll never be any good at trailing wildcats like your mother if you don’t learn now! Understand?”

(Sugar Creek Gang, The Killer Cat, pg. 71-73)

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I choked up as I read this section of my Sugar Creek Gang book this afternoon.

In my mind’s eye I pictured a young boy cuddling his little puppy against him, and it seems I’ve been in that little puppy’s place before with Someone comforting me after I’ve been bad. And I’ve heard that gentle whisper of encouragement and rebuke: “I’ve got a plan for your life. I can’t let you be a trash trailer.”

There are times in our lives when we are like that little black-and-tan puppy. We’re happily scampering through the woods of life, following the trail our Master has pointed out for us. Then we get too far ahead of Him. We hear His voice calling, but we keep plodding on ahead, confident that we know what we’re doing. Suddenly a temptation in the form of a rabbit jumps out of the brush, right in front of our nose. Being young and spiritually weak, we settle for chasing that rabbit when we could be trailing something so much bigger and better--a wildcat!

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) It takes faith to sniff out the trail of that fierce wildcat and trust that that scent will eventually lead us to an enormous prize--a “wildcat,” if you will, meaning a blessing or a victory. We have been brainwashed by this scoffing world to live for NOW…the present. To have faith in something you can’t see is ridiculous, they tell us. But is that true? The scent of that wildcat is the evidence of something that hasn’t been seen yet by our eyes, nevertheless, the scent is proof that a wildcat is somewhere up ahead.

We can do one of two things: we can have faith in God and keep trailing the “wildcat,” or we can live by sight and go after the “rabbit.”

Too often in life we get off track. A little temptation throws us totally off the path the Master has chosen for us. There are an over abundance of “rabbits” in life, and they seem especially dead-set on showing up just when we’re hot on the trail of a “wildcat,” whether that’s a blessing we’re about to receive or a victory we’re determined to attain. Satan has plenty of trash--and I mean TRASH--to toss in our pathway when we’re pursuing righteousness. He sends the rabbit, possum, and skunk--wicked men and women, filthy advertisements, bad friends, and peer pressure--anything we’re least expecting from where we’re least expecting it.

Like the puppy, we get off track, chasing a “rabbit.” Then we hear God’s voice calling to us to come away from our worthless pursuit. We run away for a while, but eventually He catches up with us, and then we feel the hot sting of His rod of correction. God can’t use a Christian who’s always trailing after trash. Just like Circus with his puppy, God has to correct us when we’ve done wrong…when we let ourselves get interrupted from our important task of following after “wildcats.”

I’m reminded of a verse in Proverbs that goes like this: “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

Then, when God is finished giving us a spanking, He lovingly takes us into His arms, and if we listen real close we’ll hear a gentle voice saying something like this:

“I’ve got a plan for your life.
I can’t let you be a trash trailer.”

Christian, are you letting God have His way in your life? He can’t use a trash trailer; they’re of no use to Him. Don’t you want the prize that awaits at the end of that trail of faith? Don’t you want to capture that “wildcat”? Won’t you claim that wonderful blessing or victory as your own? If you’re going to be a trash trailer, you’ll be a terrible disappointment. You won’t be worth a hill of beans if you don’t learn to concentrate. The “rabbit” of temptation may be fun to chase for a little while, but in the end it’s not worth all the energy you put into pursuing it. Wouldn’t it be far better to track that major blessing God wants to give you? All it takes is concentration and commitment and determination. Christian, are you letting God have His way in your life?

“I’ve got a plan for your life.
I can’t let you be a trash trailer.”

Refining Silver

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 silver was being refined. 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 you are feeling the heat of the fire today, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.