If we are not continually moving forward we are probably beginning to backslide as there is no sitting on the fence with God!



God through His Word is often described in the Old Testament as a refiner of silver and gold. The sin and impurities have to be refined out of our lives to enable us to become vessels that He can work through. He can only use vessels that have been tried and tested in many furnaces of affliction.

We do not have to go looking for furnaces of affliction. They will come about automatically as we seek to develop and deepen our relationship with Father God through intimacy.

Do we enjoy this process? No, of course not. But we can rejoice in it knowing that He disciplines those whom He loves.

Hebrews 12 v 10~11 say, 'God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it'.

How is it that this Almighty, Awesome, Holy God should choose us and want to work through us? What an incredible privilege! We can but respond wholeheartedly. He wants us to share in His holiness ~ how amazing.

Knowing that He loves us so passionately and that He is doing so much for our benefit in the refining process, what is to be our response?

James puts it delightfully! 'Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be MATURE AND COMPLETE, not lacking anything'.(James 1 v 2~4 emphasis mine)

One man describes this refining process like this: 'I came to the realization of what death really is. Oh it's so easy to say it's the 'cross' but what did it really mean? As I died, I saw that the Holy Spirit was working within to crucify every ambition and desire that is contrary to His nature and will.

Ambition and self were rooted out. The great concern of the Holy Spirit is with the motives of our hearts and He is continually examining them to replace the corrupt nature of self with the character of Jesus. Sometimes the experiences are distinctly unpalatable but as we allow them to work in us they lend to a greater weight of glory for we are being changed from glory to glory to the image of Christ. That's what it's all about ~ to be more like Him'.

He will willingly use such yielded vessels and through that vessel prove over and over again His power, His protection and His love. Do we dare to trust and yield to that extent?

For those who do so dare to give of themselves so completely to Him, a life of adventure with the Holy Spirit will lead you in exciting new ways as you become Recklessly Abandoned to Him.