Sometimes ago I visited a colonial re-enactment with my daughter. There were people of all ages dressed in costumes from the colonial period working in areas such as trapping, carpentry, cooking and baking, and the area which intrigued me most, which was metal working, where a man hammered burning hot metal into useful tools. I thought of the imagery in scripture that refers to how God sometimes molds and fashions us in the same way.
I invite you to imagine for a moment that you are watching a Master craftsman at work crafting a piece of metal. You feel the heat of the furnace as the craftsman puts the metal in the fire, burning off impurities and refining it until it is red hot. Then he puts it on the table and begins to hammer and shape it on the workbench. The hammering continues until out of the block of metal comes a work of beauty, strength and usefulness.
Life is full of trials and tests—personally, spiritually, relationally. They test who we are and they test our mettle to see what we are made of. God uses tests in our life to refine us and strengthen us so that we can grow personally and spiritually. Know that wherever you are in the tests of life, that God is with you and will see you through. Most of all know that no matter how hot the trials or how painful the hammering, the Master craftsman loves you and has you secure in the palm of His hand, and He is at work in your life sculpting a work of great beauty and usefulness.
(scripture of the week)
Consider it pure joy, my sisters and 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….
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1.2-4,12)
(prayer of the week)
Lord, help me to trust you in the tests and trials of life. Help me to look to you for strength and grant me wisdom for understanding. I trust you to see me through, in Christ’s name, amen.
(quote of the week)
“What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it –Rick Warren
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
I invite you to imagine for a moment that you are watching a Master craftsman at work crafting a piece of metal. You feel the heat of the furnace as the craftsman puts the metal in the fire, burning off impurities and refining it until it is red hot. Then he puts it on the table and begins to hammer and shape it on the workbench. The hammering continues until out of the block of metal comes a work of beauty, strength and usefulness.
Life is full of trials and tests—personally, spiritually, relationally. They test who we are and they test our mettle to see what we are made of. God uses tests in our life to refine us and strengthen us so that we can grow personally and spiritually. Know that wherever you are in the tests of life, that God is with you and will see you through. Most of all know that no matter how hot the trials or how painful the hammering, the Master craftsman loves you and has you secure in the palm of His hand, and He is at work in your life sculpting a work of great beauty and usefulness.
(scripture of the week)
Consider it pure joy, my sisters and 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….
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1.2-4,12)
(prayer of the week)
Lord, help me to trust you in the tests and trials of life. Help me to look to you for strength and grant me wisdom for understanding. I trust you to see me through, in Christ’s name, amen.
(quote of the week)
“What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it –Rick Warren
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
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