I recall walking through a colonial re-enactment complete with fife and drum corps, candle-making, colonial cooking over the hearth, and of course, the blacksmith shop, which struck me with an important spiritual lesson. In the workroom of the blacksmith, the fires burn hot and the sound of hammering echoes in the street. The steel is softened and refined in fire, hammered into shape, then heated again, re-worked, and finally hardened in the shock of water and steam. It seems a hard process from fire to hammer and anvil, and finally to the water vat; and yet the master craftsman knows his work. A work of beauty and usefulness is created. Peter likens God’s work in us to that of a master craftsman at work. God fashions us and refines us with the fires of trial, but a work of beauty and faith is being crafted that will last the storms of life and reflect God’s love, giving “praise, glory, and honor” to Christ. Know that no matter how hot the fire, or how hard the hammer of adversity strikes, the water of the Holy Spirit will sustain you, for God is creating a work of enduring beauty and you are safe in God’s skillful care. Your faith is more precious than the finest gold! You are in the loving hands of God the Master Craftsman.
(Verse of the week)
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that you faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1.6,7)
(Prayer of the week)
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the challenges of life that refine, mold and strengthen us. Give me faith to trust in your plan and your strength. Refine me that others may see your true reflection in me. May I be joyful in all things, and may I be loving to all people, that others may see the light of your love in me. Amen.
Have a blessed week! –Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
It is not how much you do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving --Mother Teresa
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
(Verse of the week)
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that you faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1.6,7)
(Prayer of the week)
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the challenges of life that refine, mold and strengthen us. Give me faith to trust in your plan and your strength. Refine me that others may see your true reflection in me. May I be joyful in all things, and may I be loving to all people, that others may see the light of your love in me. Amen.
Have a blessed week! –Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
It is not how much you do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving --Mother Teresa
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
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