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A Shepherd's Thoughts - Entries from December 2009

MonMondayDecDecember14th2009

Posted Monday, December 14 2009 @ 9 PM byBryan Payne Tagged Fire God's Love Trials 2 comments Add comment

James MacDonald often says, “God’s love is not a pampering love—it’s a perfecting love.” Since God loves His children, He breaks sins hold on their lives, even if the process is painful, because He knows that’s what’s best for them.

"FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. (Heb. 12:6)"

Of course, it’s tough to see God’s love in the middle of a trial. Questioning God on the other hand … that’s easy. Ever find yourself demanding answers from God, "Lord, how can You allow this fiery trial to happen to me? I’m seeking to honor You, but this situation is too difficult. I don’t deserve it and it hurts!"

As I think about the connection between God’s love and life’s trials, my four years in Los Angeles come to mind. Not because God used seminary, family, ministry, and running a business to refine me by fire (though that is true), but because I witnessed many literal fires. Every year, thousands of acres were destroyed by raging wild fires. Why talk about wildfires? What does God’s refining love and wild fires have in common? I’m glad you asked…

For hundreds of years, men have tried to prevent wild fires from burning. They “loved” their forests and wanted the “best” for them. Ironically, they were hurting the forest. Fires actually benefit a forest’s health. In fact, our government conducts “prescribed fires” to avoid the negative impact of preventing wild fires. According to The University of Georgia, “Thick vegetation, excessive dead material, and vegetation modification all caused by fire suppression, have caused forest managers to turn to a technique known as prescribed fire.” God’s love is like that prescribed fire.

Just as the fire burns the thick vegetation, God’s refining love removes all the busyness and activity in our lives that distract us from pursuing God and choke the growth He wants.

And as the flames destroy the dead and eroding branches that hid on the forest floor for so long, God’s refining love exposes our secret sin, transgression that lay hidden in our hearts for too long.

Finally, just as the prescribed fire goes after any “vegetation modification caused by fire suppression”, God’s love removes any sinful desires, ambitions, and aspirations that try to replace our godly desires.

Of course, experiencing God’s refining love can be painful --- often excruciating. Trials will seem like they’re all around when God is refining you. After all, fire burns. But to idealize a life without trials is to desire a life without God’s love. Without the trials of life, we would actually be in worse condition.

You may have heard it said, “It’s not ‘if’ you will face another trial in your life—it’s‘when.’” I pray God will transform my thinking about life’s difficulties. I want to see each trial as something that will further conform me to the image of Christ by “burning” away anything that hinders my growth.

Here are a few reasons God’s Word gives for God’s refining fire:

To prove my faith—1 Peter 1:7“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.”
To test my heart—Proverbs 17:3 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts."
To break my patterns of sin—Isaiah 1:25 “I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.”
To glorify my God—Isaiah 48:10-11 “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.”

How has God used His refining fire in your life?

A Shepherd's Thoughts - Entries from December 2009

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