Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!
Today's word: refine
What does the word refine mean to you?
Why does God want to refine us?
What is God using in your life to refine you?
"'I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold.'" (Zechariah 13:9, NLT)
Let me know what you think!!
DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:
"What a chain of graces could overflow from tribulation. It is in the furnace that faith is tested, patience is tried, and where all those rich virtues are developed that make up Christian character. It is while they are passing through deep waters that God shows how close He can come to His praying, believing saints."
*Thank You for drawing close to us when we need You most.
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
(Devotional: From "The Power of Prayer" by E. M. Bounds, c. 2007, Christian Art Gifts, RSA)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
I love the new format sweet friend. Refine to me, is God cleaning me up really good, getting all the dirt and impurities off me. It is His way of showing me that I can truly shine for Him, through Him.
ReplyDeleteStarting again. I was bounced. (Tigger reference). I love the new format. It sort of combines Fan the Flame with the Saturday posts you used to do. Since we like the same venerable old expositors, I will like it.
ReplyDeleteAs to refining, I think of it as perfecting. I think God refines us through time and circumstance, but I also think he really longs to refine us through His Word. I am really getting a "refining" with the study I'm teaching in the Proverbs. You have no idea the "correction" that I'm receiving. I can see in retrospect that previous circumstances have addressed the very issues that have been addressed.
Usually when I think of refine, I think of "going through the fire"! It's good to think of "fanning the flame" instead of "fighting the Flame!"
ReplyDeleteI think of refining as God using our circumstances for us...not letting the enemy have the last word. I like the idea of being refined through the Word too....refining is like renewing.....and restoring.....and softening.
ReplyDeleteI certainly feel God refining me Sharon, I have been rebelling a bit. But I will get there with His help and help of friends.
ReplyDeleteLove the new format! I believe that refining is a process that God uses to help us get rid of the ME and be filled more with HIM. I think sometimes the refining is more intense (the heat) than other times, but I believe that when I asked HIM to take over my heart and my life, I gave Him permission to come inside and change things up.
ReplyDeleteLove you!!
I think refine - means to take something - and work on it and work on it some more - and work on it again. Making it shiny - and I think God wants to refine us and we should want to refine ourselves for him! sandie
ReplyDeleteRefining to me is when the Lord takes whatever I am going through and turns it around for His good and glory. I come out of the circumstance stronger and more like Him and He is glorified in the entire process.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not until life gives you a few good whacks around the head – professionally, personally, publicly, privately – that your character begins to form a discernible adult shape. If we allow God to use those whacks around the head, then our scars become our strength, our failures and disappointments become our wisdom, and our heartbreak opens us up to making better choices.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the word refine mean to you?
ReplyDeleteIt means to purify, to get rid of all the unnecessary dross. To make perfect. To increase the value of something.
Why does God want to refine us?
Because He wants us to look like His Son. And since that doesn't come naturally to our sinful nature, He must use difficulties and struggles to *wean* the earthly out of us!
What is God using in your life to refine you?
Ah, the situation with my parents, and a certain wildfire that taught me so much. God is working, and I am finding out that even when the fires are *HOT* - He is the One who stands alongside. Making me purer so that I can reflect Him more.
GOD BLESS!