The Refining Process
There's a goal to the Christian life, which God expresses this way: "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). This refining process is called sanctification. And there are several identifiable stages en route to this goal, but sadly, most believers are unfamiliar with them. Let me offer some definitions so you can identify where you are on the journey and understand what to expect.
Salvation is the first stage of the Christian life. This describes our redemption from sinfulness through Jesus' atoning sacrifice. What results is forgiveness of sin, which lets us have a relationship with Almighty God.
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Next, God gives us opportunity to serve (Eph. 2:10). We were created to do good works in Jesus' name.
But at some point, we notice something isn't working. This is the start to stage three: frustrated inadequacy. This unpleasant but necessary part of the journey can last varying amounts of time. Without it, we'd undoubtedly experience self-sufficiency and pride. But we should recognize this difficult phase as beautiful because it leads us into the best part of our spiritual lives: total dependency upon Jesus as Lord of our life. And we will be fulfilling our ultimate goal: becoming a reflection of Christ.
Sadly, many Christians don't reach a point of complete reliance on the Lord. Pride, discouragement, and distraction can ruin focus and perseverance. Paul reminds us to fix our eyes on the goal of maturity in Christ (Phil. 3:14). Learning to die to self is painful, but ironically, it's the only true way to life.
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
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Just Give Me Jesus
BIBLE MEDITATION:"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There was a man who had lived a long life with Jesus, and now he was dying.
His loved ones came to him and asked him to sign his name to a legal document. They said, "Daddy, if you would sign this, it would help us with a lot of legal difficulties. We hate to mention it, but it needs to be done."
With the old man facing eternity, he lifted his quivering hand and signed the paper. Before long, he went to be with the Lord. When the family picked up the document, to their amazement he had signed, "Jesus." More than likely, it was the only name that meant anything to him in those moments.
ACTION POINT:
What name means the most to you right now? There will come a time when the only name that will mean anything to you is—Jesus.
~Adrian Rogers~
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Obey and Honor
Yesterday's devotional helped us understand the importance of obedience. Over the next few devotionals, I want to focus on three areas I believe are critical for you and me to ensure we are obedient.
The first is found in Ephesians 6:1-3 This first category of obedience has to do with family, something God teaches very specifically in His Word. It says,
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
As long as a child is under his parents' roof and under his parents' direct authority, he needs to obey. But throughout your entire life you need to honor your parents.
One time I had a dear lady come to me after a service when I preached on this command and say, "Pastor, I just have to tell you. I just felt I needed to make things right with my dad. I went home that night and called him and said, ‘Dad, you need to forgive me because I've been bitter against you for all these years. I'm sorry, and I want you to know that I forgive you for all the past.'"
Then she said, "Pastor, you need to understand, I've had a migraine headache for 15 years, 24 hours a day. I take piles of medication. I go to bed with a migraine, and I wake up with one, but the morning after I made things right with my dad, I woke up, and I had no headache." And she started to cry.
I am telling you, this promise is full of power! It is better to obey and honor your parents!
~Bayless Conley~
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I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument (Isa. 41:15).
A bar of steel worth five dollars, when wrought into horseshoes, is worth ten dollars. If made into needles, it is worth three hundred and fifty dollars; if into penknife blades, it is worth thirty-two thousand dollars; if into springs for watches it is worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, the more it is hammered, and passed through the fire, and beaten and pounded and polished, the greater the value.
May this parable help us to be silent, still, and longsuffering. Those who suffer most are capable of yielding most; and it is through pain that God is getting the most out of us, for His glory and the blessing of others.
Oh, give Thy servant patience to be still,
And bear Thy will;
Courage to venture wholly on the arm
That will not harm;
The wisdom that will never let me stray
Out of my way;
The love that, now afflicting, knoweth best
When I should rest.
Life is very mysterious. Indeed it would be inexplicable unless we believed that God was preparing us for scenes and ministries that lie beyond the veil of sense in the eternal world, where highly-tempered spirits will be required for special service.
"The turning-lathe that has the sharpest knives produces the finest work."
~L. B. Cowman~
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What Have I Done?
Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return. I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, 'What have I done?' Everyone turned to his own course, As the horse rushes into the battle. - Jeremiah 8:5-6
The prophet Jeremiah warned the people to turn from their wickedness and return to the Lord. But Jerusalem carried out their temple rituals, and because of that they really thought they were doing only good things, and serving the Lord. “What have I done?”They were deceived in their thoughts and were perpetually slipping farther away from God. This happens when we start to really believe that we are not that sinful, just because we are doing religious activities. We believe we are getting closer to God but we can actually move away from Him. And the farther we get from God, the harder it is to repent and change.
We live in a world that is filled with deceit and wickedness. The world tells us what is acceptable. If it feels good, then do it. It you feel bad for doing it, then take a pill or do something to make yourself feel better. We have permission from the world to do whatever it takes to make ourselves feel better. Yet, so often, we end up feeling much worse. We can swing like a pendulum, from the heights of happiness to the depths of depression. And if we are not careful, we wake up one day wondering what happened. “What have I done?”
The Christian walk takes one day at a time. Some days are better than others, but every day belongs to the Lord. The only way to walk with the Lord consistently is to spend time with Him everyday. When times are hard and depression creeps in, do not look for the instant fix offered by the world. Turn to the Lord. When you feel good about yourself or things in your life, turn to the Lord and give Him thanks. None of us wants to feel badly, but when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we must be willing to repent and to turn from our sin. As we walk daily with the Lord, these convictions keep us from falling into deceitful ways of thinking. Ask the Lord today to help you answer the question: What have I done? You may be surprised at the answer. Listen to the Lord and be willing to change as He guides you.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
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Yesterday's devotional helped us understand the importance of obedience. Over the next few devotionals, I want to focus on three areas I believe are critical for you and me to ensure we are obedient.
The first is found in Ephesians 6:1-3 This first category of obedience has to do with family, something God teaches very specifically in His Word. It says,
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
As long as a child is under his parents' roof and under his parents' direct authority, he needs to obey. But throughout your entire life you need to honor your parents.
One time I had a dear lady come to me after a service when I preached on this command and say, "Pastor, I just have to tell you. I just felt I needed to make things right with my dad. I went home that night and called him and said, ‘Dad, you need to forgive me because I've been bitter against you for all these years. I'm sorry, and I want you to know that I forgive you for all the past.'"
Then she said, "Pastor, you need to understand, I've had a migraine headache for 15 years, 24 hours a day. I take piles of medication. I go to bed with a migraine, and I wake up with one, but the morning after I made things right with my dad, I woke up, and I had no headache." And she started to cry.
I am telling you, this promise is full of power! It is better to obey and honor your parents!
~Bayless Conley~
________________________
I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument (Isa. 41:15).
A bar of steel worth five dollars, when wrought into horseshoes, is worth ten dollars. If made into needles, it is worth three hundred and fifty dollars; if into penknife blades, it is worth thirty-two thousand dollars; if into springs for watches it is worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, the more it is hammered, and passed through the fire, and beaten and pounded and polished, the greater the value.
May this parable help us to be silent, still, and longsuffering. Those who suffer most are capable of yielding most; and it is through pain that God is getting the most out of us, for His glory and the blessing of others.
Oh, give Thy servant patience to be still,
And bear Thy will;
Courage to venture wholly on the arm
That will not harm;
The wisdom that will never let me stray
Out of my way;
The love that, now afflicting, knoweth best
When I should rest.
Life is very mysterious. Indeed it would be inexplicable unless we believed that God was preparing us for scenes and ministries that lie beyond the veil of sense in the eternal world, where highly-tempered spirits will be required for special service.
"The turning-lathe that has the sharpest knives produces the finest work."
~L. B. Cowman~
__________________________
What Have I Done?
Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return. I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, 'What have I done?' Everyone turned to his own course, As the horse rushes into the battle. - Jeremiah 8:5-6
The prophet Jeremiah warned the people to turn from their wickedness and return to the Lord. But Jerusalem carried out their temple rituals, and because of that they really thought they were doing only good things, and serving the Lord. “What have I done?”They were deceived in their thoughts and were perpetually slipping farther away from God. This happens when we start to really believe that we are not that sinful, just because we are doing religious activities. We believe we are getting closer to God but we can actually move away from Him. And the farther we get from God, the harder it is to repent and change.
We live in a world that is filled with deceit and wickedness. The world tells us what is acceptable. If it feels good, then do it. It you feel bad for doing it, then take a pill or do something to make yourself feel better. We have permission from the world to do whatever it takes to make ourselves feel better. Yet, so often, we end up feeling much worse. We can swing like a pendulum, from the heights of happiness to the depths of depression. And if we are not careful, we wake up one day wondering what happened. “What have I done?”
The Christian walk takes one day at a time. Some days are better than others, but every day belongs to the Lord. The only way to walk with the Lord consistently is to spend time with Him everyday. When times are hard and depression creeps in, do not look for the instant fix offered by the world. Turn to the Lord. When you feel good about yourself or things in your life, turn to the Lord and give Him thanks. None of us wants to feel badly, but when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we must be willing to repent and to turn from our sin. As we walk daily with the Lord, these convictions keep us from falling into deceitful ways of thinking. Ask the Lord today to help you answer the question: What have I done? You may be surprised at the answer. Listen to the Lord and be willing to change as He guides you.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
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The Book of God!
(author unknown)
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness--that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This book contains:
the mind of God,
the state of man,
the way of salvation,
the doom of lost sinners, and
the happiness of believers.
the mind of God,
the state of man,
the way of salvation,
the doom of lost sinners, and
the happiness of believers.
Its doctrine is holy,
its precepts are binding,
its histories are true, and
its decisions are immutable.
its precepts are binding,
its histories are true, and
its decisions are immutable.
It contains . . .
light to direct you,
food to support you, and
comfort to cheer you.
light to direct you,
food to support you, and
comfort to cheer you.
This book is . . .
the traveler's map,
the pilgrim's staff,
the pilot's compass,
the soldier's sword, and
the Christian's charter.
the traveler's map,
the pilgrim's staff,
the pilot's compass,
the soldier's sword, and
the Christian's charter.
Here Heaven is open--and the gates of Hell are disclosed.
Christ is the grand subject,
our good is its design, and
the glory of God is its end.
our good is its design, and
the glory of God is its end.
This book should . . .
fill the memory,
rule the heart,
and guide the feet.
fill the memory,
rule the heart,
and guide the feet.
It is . . .
a mine of wealth,
health to the soul,
and a river of pleasure.
a mine of wealth,
health to the soul,
and a river of pleasure.
It . . .
involves the highest responsibility,
will reward the greatest labor, and
condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
involves the highest responsibility,
will reward the greatest labor, and
condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
Read it to be wise,
believe it to be safe,
and practice it to be holy.
believe it to be safe,
and practice it to be holy.
Read it . . .
slowly,
frequently,
and prayerfully.
slowly,
frequently,
and prayerfully.
This Book--the Book of Books, the Book of God, the Bible--is the revelation of God to man!
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The standard which the Apostle gives!
(George Everard, "All for Christ!")
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17
"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do--do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians10:31
Whatever is done, even in the commonest matters of life, the food we eat, our conduct at the breakfast table or the dinner table--is to be done for the glory of the Father and the Son.
These precepts take in the whole field of a Christian's life and duty.
They cover every inch of ground.
They distinctly bear on every act and word and thought, and on every moment of our time.
They permit no exceptions.
From our first waking thought in the morning--to the last breath we draw before we sleep at night; from the first day of January--to the last day of December, and that of every year of our lives, until our course is run--all is to be yielded, gladly and willingly, to the service of our Redeemer-King!
No aim can be too exalted for one who has been purchased by the blood of Christ, and who has yielded himself as a living sacrifice to the Father in Heaven.
We dare not to please man, or lower the standard, or lessen the responsibility which is laid upon us. We dare not, and we must not, narrow the limit of our service, or the extent of our obedience.
The standard which the Apostle gives, reaches to every sphere and concerns every part of life. It touches the hidden world of the heart, and claims a control over every thought and motive and purpose. It comes to the little world of the family circle, and is our guide as to all we should speak and do amidst children or others about us. It follows us into the social world of friends and acquaintances, and is to control . . .
our pleasures and recreations,
the amusements we frequent,
the books we read, and
the company we choose.
All of this is taken into account by Him who searches the heart and knows all our ways.
"All for Christ!" is our motto!
In fact, there is no part of our life which can be exempted from this Christian principle--business and recreation, social fellowship, the use of our money and our time--all we are, all we have, all we do or saymust be for Christ, if we would be true to Him. We must never mark out one acre, or one square yard, or one inch of our life, and say in our heart, "Christ has nothing to do with this!" If we willfully take one single moment of our lives, or one single act, or word, or thought out of the direct control of the fear and love of God--that moment, or act, or word, or thought is one of sin.
We can only enjoy the comfort and peace which Christ gives, in proportion as we walk as He directs. If we desire to spend a happy, useful life, if we desire to meet the trials and the cares it may bring in quiet confidence and hope--we must not only rely upon the Savior's all-sufficient grace, but carefully obey the precepts which He has given us.
Doing this, we need never be afraid. Dark clouds may overshadow our path, disease and death may visit our homes, losses and bad debts and hard times and multiplied troubles may come upon us--but doing God's will, trusting in His never-failing Providence, relying upon His free grace and mercy in Christ, we are assured that He is with us, and will never fail us.
(George Everard, "All for Christ!")
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17
"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do--do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians10:31
Whatever is done, even in the commonest matters of life, the food we eat, our conduct at the breakfast table or the dinner table--is to be done for the glory of the Father and the Son.
These precepts take in the whole field of a Christian's life and duty.
They cover every inch of ground.
They distinctly bear on every act and word and thought, and on every moment of our time.
They permit no exceptions.
From our first waking thought in the morning--to the last breath we draw before we sleep at night; from the first day of January--to the last day of December, and that of every year of our lives, until our course is run--all is to be yielded, gladly and willingly, to the service of our Redeemer-King!
No aim can be too exalted for one who has been purchased by the blood of Christ, and who has yielded himself as a living sacrifice to the Father in Heaven.
We dare not to please man, or lower the standard, or lessen the responsibility which is laid upon us. We dare not, and we must not, narrow the limit of our service, or the extent of our obedience.
The standard which the Apostle gives, reaches to every sphere and concerns every part of life. It touches the hidden world of the heart, and claims a control over every thought and motive and purpose. It comes to the little world of the family circle, and is our guide as to all we should speak and do amidst children or others about us. It follows us into the social world of friends and acquaintances, and is to control . . .
our pleasures and recreations,
the amusements we frequent,
the books we read, and
the company we choose.
All of this is taken into account by Him who searches the heart and knows all our ways.
"All for Christ!" is our motto!
In fact, there is no part of our life which can be exempted from this Christian principle--business and recreation, social fellowship, the use of our money and our time--all we are, all we have, all we do or saymust be for Christ, if we would be true to Him. We must never mark out one acre, or one square yard, or one inch of our life, and say in our heart, "Christ has nothing to do with this!" If we willfully take one single moment of our lives, or one single act, or word, or thought out of the direct control of the fear and love of God--that moment, or act, or word, or thought is one of sin.
We can only enjoy the comfort and peace which Christ gives, in proportion as we walk as He directs. If we desire to spend a happy, useful life, if we desire to meet the trials and the cares it may bring in quiet confidence and hope--we must not only rely upon the Savior's all-sufficient grace, but carefully obey the precepts which He has given us.
Doing this, we need never be afraid. Dark clouds may overshadow our path, disease and death may visit our homes, losses and bad debts and hard times and multiplied troubles may come upon us--but doing God's will, trusting in His never-failing Providence, relying upon His free grace and mercy in Christ, we are assured that He is with us, and will never fail us.
