Prayers and Thoughts

for Reflection

Lenton Devotional

2007

March 28

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5 - 6

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

Visual Image of Malachi 3:3

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying Chapter Three, they came across Verse Three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver".

This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this

statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of

the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver

and get back to the group at their next Bible study session.

That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, 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 so 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. For if the silver was left even 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 the easy part. When

I see my image reflected in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that

God has His eye on you and will keep His hand on you and watch

over you until He sees His image in you.

Author Unknown

When science and the Bible differ, science has obviously misinterpreted its data.

Henry Morris

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6 – 7

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them," says the Lord.
Isaiah 42:16

Dear Lord, Teach me to sow seeds of faith based on Your promises. When I feel like I am in the fire, remind me that you are holding me and I am in your care. Grant me patience to wait on You to bring the answers I need. Thank you for making all things beautiful in Your time.  Lead me through the tasks you have set before me.  Fill me with Your boundless love, so that I may pass it on to those I meet.  Help me to see You in all of life, so that I may never know a moment without Your presence. Help me to support those around me, who feel like they are in the fire. Amen