Unlike our best efforts to pass a written examination by getting correct answers to difficult questions, almost anyone can get a perfect score when it comes to calculating the high cost of owning an automobile. Given a test on the highest operating expense for a car, the easiest way to answer would be to identify the primary cost needed to provide regular transportation. I’m pretty sure everyone would get that question correct. Gasoline! One of the noxious challenges associated with buying gasoline is fluctuation in price. There are more ups and downs in that expense than there are moves in a checkerboard game. The reasons may not make it more acceptable when you go to the gas pump, but it might add some dimension to understanding one of the forces behind gasoline production. As most of you know, the journey for gasoline does not begin to have value to us as fuel or other petroleum products until it goes through a process. This process is called refining. Crude oil is heated in a furnace, sent to another place where it is separated through boiling, then converted by heating, pressure, or a catalyst into finished products like gasoline, etc.¹ As part of our growth--spiritually, and mindfully--God’s process for human maturity, and character involves refining. Another definition biblically equal to refining is suffering. Now no one wants to read, hear or talk about suffering. It’s painful, it stings, it creates sorrow, it seems futile, it certainly is not fun, and how is this a tribute to the great I Am? After all, what’s the point? We should all be confident in who we are. However, within our souls we often carry around these character traits: arrogance, know-it-all, always right and never wrong, won’t admit mistakes, murmuring and complaining, self-pity, vanity, lack of empathy for others, being easily offended, etc. Sometimes, we allow these traits to define us. Life is full of negative circumstances, but like crude oil, refining or suffering helps eliminate our crude characteristics. God’s incomparable love for humanity allows negative circumstances, even the ones that are unexplainable, to produce a product that is valuable and unique.
Remember crude oil has very little value until it is refined. It goes through several intense steps before it is ready for others’ use. Refining humankind also takes time. God sees humanity surpassing the value of money, gold, or silver even as we are being refined. God is striving for perfection and maturity. He doesn’t rush His timetable. One day with the Lord is like a thousand years. (2 Peter 3:8-9) Because of His matchless, eternal love, God’s refining will never cease. It will continue until completion with the return of His Son. Let the circumstances come and give thanks in all things as He continues to refine. (I Thessalonians 5:18) Be prepared to be amazed at the value it releases within us. ¹ https://www.valero.com.>refining-science-proc…
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As we approach the end of 2022 with a new year on the horizon, I chose this Nugget to reflect on how God protected us and expressed His love for us despite a rocky year. Since 2022 has not yet closed, the following is offered as a summary of climate/weather disaster events in the United States: wildfire, severe drought and heat wave, hurricanes/tornados severe storms, and flooding resulting in loss of life and property. The economic impact of each event whirled in the billions. Then there was the loss of human life including mass murders and the killing of children at the hands of others. This cost is priceless. To many, there is the lingering question in all of this: Where was God? Some may even believe God has forgotten them. Rest assured--God will never forget us. We are “graven on the palm of his hands.” (Isaiah 49:15) So where is God anyway? To begin, He loves us without conditions or fine print as in a contract. How could there be a hidden agenda when He Himself is love expressed through His nature and personality? (I John 4:8) Even when we steam roll Him like a tractor sifting dirt, He promised to never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5) He declares: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3) The very nature of a catastrophe contains the elements of death and fear. Neither of these adds worth or value. They smell and will haunt you like a screaming nightmare. In love there is no fear; fear has to do with punishment. Many misrepresent God as a fearful and angry entity who needs to be satisfied to calm His anger. Contrary to that vision, God is abundant in mercy and never intended for us to live in fear. (2 Timothy 1:7) Create an alternate vision and see Him as a parent. Because of our lopsided natures, He lovingly disciplines us into greater growth and strength using object lessons through uncanny and miserable circumstances, but He does not leap for joy at these dark events, trials, or tragic situations. His Divine love and presence never falter, and if we trust in Him, we will emerge from the manure with exceptional strength and faith. (Deuteronomy 31:16; Hebrews 13:5) There is little disagreement that there are people who struggle financially, are hungry, and are homeless. Most of this mess is the result of secular circumstances and misguided decisions. The question then becomes, how does God show His love that provides a solution to such immense sorrow and suffering? Even though God’s true love has been displayed through the giving of His Son’s life, humanity’s love for others is often filled with hypocrisy. We often talk about a situation but take no action. In all these afflictions, God’s love is designed to find its expression in service to mankind. He has placed His spirit in the hearts of those who pledge their love to Him to help those in a weakened state. (Romans 15:1-3)
This is active love by servants who proclaim the powerful, everlasting love of God. God’s grace—His unmerited favor, characterize the nature of God. He is the only real superhero. Our very existence, the possessions we have, and the gifts and talents we have been given are in and of themselves of no value and warrant no standing or permanent value, without the love of God through Christ. When we display His love, we confidently and boldly declare, Yes, God is very much alive! Hansen’s Disease, or Leprosy, is an infection caused by a slow-growing bacteria which primarily affects the skin and nerves of extremities.¹ Its appearance is repulsive to others and may strike fear in anyone coming in contact with a person who has the disease. Historical accounts of the disease confirm it was more prevalent at one time. However, advances in the medical arena regarding the cause and treatment, have greatly reduced its occurrence, particularly in the United States. Although Leprosy may appear to be a terrifying illness, today’s environment shows that humanity is suffering from other massive, unhealthy conditions of body and mind which manifest its symptoms through physical and spiritual illness. A strain of decadent secular bacteria is running rampant, attempting to declare victory over otherwise healthy physical and spiritual organisms. Some of these rapid-moving bacteria profiles:
When these toxins and others invade our bodies and minds, healing (being made whole) and restoration (bringing back to its original state) are the counterattacks against this degenerate type of bacteria that seeks to declare victory over our minds, emotions, and physical bodies. Being made whole begins when we allow the Divine Physician to possess our souls and spirits and irrigate our minds to cleanse us from “stinkin’ thinkin’.” Restoration begins when we humble ourselves and cease doing it our way: ” Trust in the Lord…” “If my people…” (Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Chronicles 7:14) I have always questioned our seemingly desperate need to trust the secular medical/psychological community for whatever ails us. Some of these may prove to be successful treatments, but in many cases, only mask the symptoms and leave an ugly, stubborn root to continue to grow. Secular intervention may make us feel better, but also might possibly have adverse side effects. We all have wounds of some kind for which we need healing and restoration. Many of our veterans hold deep wounds physically and mentally. Some children and adults are being physically and sexually abused, and many children will carry these wounds into adulthood. Healing is needed for the abused and the abuser. For serious physical, mental, and spiritual wounds, there are no microwave-like cures. Faith in our Divine Physician will give us the courage to name Him as our primary physician. There is no doubt that in many cases we could need the knowledge and wisdom of a medical professional, and we are grateful for this option, when necessary. But while waiting, our faith should be sealed in the power of God to make us whole and restore us to health. His Son came to set the prisoners free. (Luke 4:18) Each one of us, our country, our families, our children, are in critical need of restoration and healing. Total healing with medical assistance, is at best illusive and temporary for complete wholeness. Let us strengthen our immune systems by trusting and renewing our faith in God to restore and make us whole. (Isaiah 53:5) ¹https://www.health.com> health >Leprosy
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