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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are my people,'
and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'
Zechariah 13:9 NIV
I am proud to call myself a child of God. I am not ashamed of who I am or whose I am. He is my King and I will boldly proclaim Him. His name is Jesus.
The LORD is MY God!
I love Him so much and I know He loves me too.
He is refining me. Why? Because He loves me.
How does He refine me? By allowing me to be tested.
Tests come in all shapes and sizes. For me, the tests over the last year have consisted of dealing with the heartbreak of my dog dying, the discouragement of losing my job, the physical pain I endured before and after surgery, the disappointment of broken relationships, dealing with depression, having a complaining spirit, working through financial struggles, and the list goes on.
I know so many of you can relate. I know each of you have faced your own tests in the last year. No matter the test - it's never easy. Most of the time, it's downright hard.
I find myself crying out to God... sometimes asking Him "why?" but more often than not - I find myself asking Him to give me courage to endure, to stay beside me in the midst of my situation or circumstance.
It is my prayer that as you face each test, you too will cry out to God. Ask Him for strength, courage, endurance, wisdom, and discernment. He will not disappoint you.
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.
Malachi 3:2-3a NIV
Purifying a man's heart is not that different than purifying silver. The silver is put over a fire to soften it. As heat passes through the silver, the impurities, called sludge, cannot stand the heat and are forced to the surface. As they appear, they are strained away. Then, the silver is allowed to cool very briefly, only to be heated again. This process is repeated over and over until the silver is completely pure.
Only at this stage is He able to mold and form the silver into whatever purpose He has determined. Our hearts are exactly like this. If we want to be a vessel used in His Kingdom, we must allow the fire to burn in our hearts and allow Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Impurities are then removed like sludge is strained from silver.
He is the refiner and it is His desire to purify your heart - to make you more like Him.
It might be hard, but it is worth it.
Let this song be our prayer at this time.
REFINER'S FIRE
Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold and precious silver.
Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy,
Set apart for You my master,
Ready to do Your will.
Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin and make me holy.
Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within.
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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