Dear Ones,
Hope you are experiencing more of the Lord and being strengthened as you go through His purifying fires. Al and I were blessed in a big way through the Pastor’s Conference and so thankful for all the Pastors who are standing strong for the Lord. A beautiful closure time last night as we sang and prayed for one another. Today Al is doing a service next door, and I need do catch up and wash, do food prep, go to Aldi’s and my exercise class and later Bible Study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Sometimes I find myself thinking how the Lord must grieve for the evil that is going on today in the world and even within the church. In scripture we read of how His fire is sent to cause us to repent and to refine us and purify us. His fire is meant to bring cleansing and transformation in us, and it also says in I Peter 417 “Judgment must begin at the household of God.”  We can’t expect the world to change if we who know the Lord resist the cleansing fire of God.

When God’s refining fire comes into our lives, it is a transforming fire so we can be more useful to the Lord. Just like the blacksmith who knows if a metal will take the fire, He also knows if we will have to be set aside or if we will be willing to go through the fire so the dross in our lives will be purged. Apostle Paul certainly knew and wrote in Phil. 3:8, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

The Lord wants us to be free from our doubts, despair, addictions, etc. and this happens when we respond rightly to His purifying fire. When we go through difficult times it reveals our weak areas and where we need to change; sometimes it is a surprise to us as we were not aware.  It’s hard initially to go through those times but it works out for our good and strengthens us for the future. I wonder if that is why many Christians now are experiencing struggles of all kinds for the Lord may be preparing us for the rough times ahead. May we respond to the refining fire, dying to ourselves and willing to be used of God!

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord for His strength and grace as He takes you through fire and to be strengthened for whatever is ahead.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy