Safetypinlove

In Amos 9:9 we read of the agricultural process of shaking or sifting of the good grain from the inedible chaff. It symbolizes God’s way of purification and refinement…a separating of the valuable from the less important. In Isaiah 30:28 it tells us that God shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction…removing things that are vain, worthless, and meaningless. Thus, in a season of sifting, God will often use extreme trials and challenges for us to examine all the “busy things” of our life that move us farther rather than closer to Him. Yes, they may be all “good” things, but they’ve gotten us stretched so thin, we’re not doing justice to any of them. So if you find yourself in a season of sifting, remember to remain steadfast to God as He peels away what isn’t of Him. For as He removes the meaningless things in our lives, we will be able to seek Him with more clarity and a deeper understanding of His plan & purpose for our life.

Paul starts his letter to Believers in Rome with heartfelt gratitude to God’s work of grace he sees in them. He later echoes these same sentiments in his letter to those in Philippi writing, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3) Paul made it a practice to not only pray for someone God brought to mind, but to let them know just how much he appreciated them and their walk with the Lord. We would then do well to follow Paul’s lead…praying for our friends and family, and others God prompts us to…but not stopping there. Rather, let them know that you’re praying for them with joy & gratitude, as the perfect plan & purpose of God is being worked out in their lives.

God will test our faith in Him. He will ask us to step into the unknown, and force us to trust in Him and His promises…rather than what we see. Isaiah 7:9 tells us, “If you don’t stand firm in your faith, you won’t stand at all.” And this is so true in our walk with God…for our faith will grow each time it’s tested and He is proved worthy of our trust.

God will test our obedience to Him. Isaiah 1:19 reminds us that, “If you’re willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” But obedience challenges our comfort, for it places God’s commandments above our desires. But we must trust God’s wisdom for our life, even when it seems unreasonable.

God will test our character. Trials, delays, and temptations test our integrity everyday. That’s because we’re constantly bombarded by the temptation to cut corners, return evil for evil, and act in a manner unbefitting a child of God. But it’s only through the refining fire of trials that our godly character can shine through brightly. (I Peter 1:7)

In this Chapter of Hebrews, false teachers were pushing their legalistic agenda, by twisting the Scriptures and completely ignoring the gift of God’s grace. And sadly, people were being led astray because they didn’t know any better. In Ephesians 4:14, Paul addresses this spiritual immaturity, and the need for a deeper understanding of the Bible, when he wrote, “We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” For when we’re not firmly anchored and grounded in the Truth of the Scriptures and able to correctly discern questionable teachings…we too can be easily swayed and influenced by all kinds of various teachings, that at first glance seem okay…but are in truth anything but God’s Word.

A heart at peace is that inner tranquility with contentment in what we have. But everyday we’re overrun with the lifestyles of the rich & famous. And that’s when the inner struggle against jealously effects our mental & spiritual wellbeing. Proverbs 24 cautions us about being envious of the wicked, for when we desire to follow their lead, it becomes a dangerous game of the allurement of easy money and unethical gains. We can’t compare our life to the ways of the wicked…for their ultimate fate is destruction and loss. So instead, we must keep our focus on God and not be swayed by the apparent success of those who live contrary to His principles.

Snow in the Bible symbolizes purity, forgiveness, and God’s divine grace. In Psalm 147:16-17 it illustrates God’s majestic control over nature, and celebrates His greatness, care for His people, and Sovereignty over the natural world. For just as snow blankets the earth with softness and protection, it demonstrates how God’s grace and mercy can cover over and protect us. And elsewhere, in Isaiah 1:18 we see the stain of sin washed “whiter than snow” by the redemption of Jesus as He bore our punishment on the cross. Finally, as a fresh blanket of snow buffers the sound…we should shield our ears from the foolishness of the world and listen for His still, small voice. (I Corinthians 3:19)

Paul and Barnabas had traveled a long distance to proclaim the Gospel in the city of Iconium…only to be faced with a covert attempt to abuse & stone them to death. (This hostile crowd executing the ancient penalty for what they believed was blasphemy against God.) Except Paul and Barnabas caught wind of it and quickly left town. But we see that this death threat didn’t for a moment stop them from declaring the Good News of Jesus as they journeyed on. What boldness and resolve they needed to persist in their Ministry…what fearlessness in the face to danger they exhibited…all to tell people about Jesus, for their good and His glory.

Peace isn’t given by the world…peace is only given by Jesus Christ. But we still search for tranquility and calm in all the wrong places…and usually end up disillusioned and in despair. For the promise of God’s peace far surpasses any peace the world can offer. (I Corinthians 14:33) Right before Jesus left His disciples, He comforted them with this, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” (John 14:27) Hence, showing us that His peace is a far superior remedy for all the fears, anxiety, and confusion wrought by the world today. The Apostle Paul’s beautiful benediction and prayer in II Thessalonians 3:16 should then become our daily plea, “May the Lord of peace Himself give you (me) peace at all times and in every way.”

Like Moses, God promised Joshua and the Jewish people that He would never leave nor forsake them. (Deuteronomy 4:31 & 31: 6,8) But unlike God, those we love and care for will at times abandon us and break promises…walk away and devastate us. And yes it will hurt, but humans are fickle and unreliable…but God isn’t. So the next time someone turns away and leaves you behind, remember these things – it is, and always will be, only God and you… and that He is a merciful and loving Father Who will never, ever, walk away or renege on His promises.

In I Samuel 10 we see the prophet Samuel anointing Saul…commissioning him to deliver Israel. But there was a season that Saul waited for events to happen. This is when Samuel told him, “Do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” (I Samuel 10:7) So when we find ourselves in a season of waiting, it doesn’t mean we should sit by idly twiddling our thumbs. Rather, as we wait, we prepare, and as Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” We are then to continue to work diligently for the Lord…living life to the fullest…pouring out our lives in wholehearted devotion to God as we wait…and while we wait, we are to serve others. (Colossians 3:23)