Purifier Of Silver

“The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20). He even uses this image as a picture of His own Word: The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6). Seven is the number of completion, perfection—God's Word is perfect and complete. 

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This verse puzzled a group in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of them offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire... If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.' If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. !

And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end. 'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'

by

Lance Gargus

Reveal

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost,

Luke 2:26

My soul searching has lead me down this road that is so uncertain.

This path is ever winding.

With each twist and turn, I find myself lost again.

Feelings creep up inside me of loneliness.

Struggling to find the faith that's gone.

When will this road ever end?

I grow tired on this road.

Tired of losing hope and taking chances on the roads that lead me

further from You.

Holy Spirit reveal to me what to do.

Cause I've been trying to find my own way.

My ways leads me further down darken paths.

Let me follow your lead.

I know that it's the only way I can get back home to You.

By

Lance Gargus

Closet Space

CLOSET SPACE> =============> > Is your closet too crowded?> > Perhaps the single greatest indicator of the overload that we> have in life are closets.> > They are packed.> > It doesn't matter how big our closets are.> > Sooner or later we fill them up.> > Why?> > There is a closet rule of life that states:> > 1. Clothes expand to fill all available closet space> 2. Sooner or later if you keep getting more clothes> you either have to:> A. Get more closet space> B. Get rid of some clothes> > 2B is what we hate to do.> > But if we are TO BE what we are TO BE,> we need to learn the rule of 2B and get rid of some clothes.> > Time is like closet space. We have a limited amount of it.> > We keep putting more and more things in until our time is> cluttered.> > The more cluttered it gets, the more things are out of place.> > The time that we should be sleeping, we've got something else in> that space.> > The time that we should be spending with family, we've got> something else in that space.> > The time that we should have to ourselves to do whatever we do> to help our spirit, we've got something else in that space.> > Even as our closet hinges strain to keep from bursting, we still> try to put more stuff in.> > Take a look around your closet of time right now.> > How much has accumulated> that you should have gotten rid of long ago.> > They still may be good clothes, but your closet is just too full.> > We have habits that we formed in our teenage years> that should have long ago been removed from our closets.> > Some even have friends that should have long ago been removed,> for they no longer fit our style or destination.> > As you change and grow, you should change what's in your closet.> > Maybe we don't need more stuff in the closet.> > Maybe we don't need a bigger closet.> > Maybe we just need to clean out some stuff> and not with the purpose to make room for more stuff.> > We may just need some space,> > In a lot of areas,> > For a lot of reasons.> > There is a spiritual saying> that tells you to go into your closet to pray.> > For many of us, there's simply no room.> > Go look at your bedroom closet right now.> Chances are, it will reflect your closet of time.>

The Comforter

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16

"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth..." C.S. Lewis

The Greek word for Comforter is “parakletos”, which literally means called to one's side, was used to describe someone who pleaded another's cause, or who helped others by defending or comforting them.

The Comforter came to me in a dream. In the dream, I felt a prayer in my soul, but I couldn't find the words. A bible verse came to mind from Romans 8:26,"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." My deepest feelings were uncovered, and in that moment I felt the hands upon my shoulders like when I was young. The times I was at my saddest, when I was most upset, my father would come up, as a loving parent does, and place his hands on my distressed form. Trying to comfort me when I was most vulnerable. In some way, it felt as though he was transferring his strength into me. That is how I felt in that dream. A sense of reassurance was laid upon me.

I awoke from my night vision with a feeling I will never be alone. No matter the difficulty or hardship I carry the Comforter inside me. As I search my soul, I find this Truth,"In the dark nights of your soul — death, divorce, disease, betrayals, loss of job, bankruptcy, failures — you may feel so broken and alone that all the future appears to be as dark as your present. It’s then that God provides the Comforter to stand along side you and embrace you in your hour of need."

by

Lance Gargus