Peter uses the symbolism of fire as a way to refine or purify our faith as he writes in 1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The language of the Bible is rich with metaphor. The biblical writers used familiar, everyday objects to symbolize spiritual truth.
Naturally, faith is not something that can pass through the fire but the symbolism with which Peter writes means that our trials refine our faith and burn everything away that is not genuine faith. So that all which remains is our faith that will result in the praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ returns.
00Wafiq Harris-Ashbyhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngWafiq Harris-Ashby2017-06-30 08:10:162017-06-30 08:10:16Pressure Creates Diamond and Fire Refines Gold
God does everything for a reason, because He is a God of purpose. His actions are not arbitrary. “The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand'” (Isaiah 14:24). God is a God of purpose, and everything He has created in this world, including men and women, has been created to fulfill His purposes.
Hence, the purpose of prayer is not to bend God to our will, but to align ourselves to His will as we pray.
By abiding in Christ, and letting His word to abide in us, we will learn to pray according to his will not ours (John 15:7)
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.—Proverbs 16:9
Let us pray:
Whatever it takes, Lord, align my desires with yours, so that my dreams align with your purposes. Let your will be done through me.
00Wafiq Harris-Ashbyhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngWafiq Harris-Ashby2017-06-28 08:30:292017-06-28 08:30:29God Does Everything for a Reason
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” — Rom 6:16
You surely have a master and to whomsoever you yield yourself to obey is your master. It’s very easy to claim that Jesus is our master but what about our works and deeds? Are we truly His servants? Deep down in your heart, can you boldly say of Jesus that He’s your master?
Maybe you’re always in a hurry, trying to beat the traffic, trying to complete your daily tasks and merely whispering a prayer while on your way rather than taking timeout to pray. What really motivates you to do what you do? God or money?
Mathew 6 v 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Who are you really honoring and serving?
00Wafiq Harris-Ashbyhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngWafiq Harris-Ashby2017-06-27 15:24:342017-06-27 15:24:34Who is your Master?
Pressure Creates Diamond and Fire Refines Gold
/in Steadfast HopePeter uses the symbolism of fire as a way to refine or purify our faith as he writes in 1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The language of the Bible is rich with metaphor. The biblical writers used familiar, everyday objects to symbolize spiritual truth.
Naturally, faith is not something that can pass through the fire but the symbolism with which Peter writes means that our trials refine our faith and burn everything away that is not genuine faith. So that all which remains is our faith that will result in the praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ returns.
God Does Everything for a Reason
/in Steadfast HopeGod does everything for a reason, because He is a God of purpose. His actions are not arbitrary. “The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand'” (Isaiah 14:24). God is a God of purpose, and everything He has created in this world, including men and women, has been created to fulfill His purposes.
Hence, the purpose of prayer is not to bend God to our will, but to align ourselves to His will as we pray.
By abiding in Christ, and letting His word to abide in us, we will learn to pray according to his will not ours (John 15:7)
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.—Proverbs 16:9
Let us pray:
Whatever it takes, Lord, align my desires with yours, so that my dreams align with your purposes. Let your will be done through me.
Who is your Master?
/in Steadfast Hope“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” — Rom 6:16
You surely have a master and to whomsoever you yield yourself to obey is your master. It’s very easy to claim that Jesus is our master but what about our works and deeds? Are we truly His servants? Deep down in your heart, can you boldly say of Jesus that He’s your master?
Maybe you’re always in a hurry, trying to beat the traffic, trying to complete your daily tasks and merely whispering a prayer while on your way rather than taking timeout to pray. What really motivates you to do what you do? God or money?
Mathew 6 v 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Who are you really honoring and serving?