Tag: temptations

Posted in Living in Today's World, The Grace of God, The Joy of His Love, The Power of the Holy Spirit

Whom the Father Loves… Part2

Posted on by Streim

Whenever the Lord impresses me to write about something,  it’s because I am going through it myself.  I know you all will agree when I say that the temptation to sin enters our lives everyday.  Often it’s very subtle and appears harmless, or maybe it even seems right— but it leads to sin against the Father and our Lord Jesus.  That’s how the enemy of our souls plays his game.  He started that game in the Garden with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-7) and still uses it today.

I knew something wasn’t right between the Father and myself.  I read and studied the Word on a frequent basis, spent quiet time with Him in prayer and surrendered myself to the Lord Jesus to be conformed to His image.  BUT—- there was an awkward, disturbing  sense that something was amiss within my heart.  I prayed often and asked the Lord to show me what was wrong… but as so often is the case, He waits until it is His time and not ours.  (PRAISE HIM!!)  In recent months I’ve heard many sad statements made by some Christian authors and writers.  I’ve watched  popular Christian leaders speak words that I knew were unbiblical.  I read in various types of national news sources how our country’s largest Christian denominations are accepting sinful practices into their churches; saying the church must change with the times.  I know we live in times of extreme attacks by the ” unseen darkness in heavenly places” ( Ephesians 6:12).  I made sure I had my armor on, and walked daily with a “sharpened Sword–the Word”.   I thought the words I spoke were truthful when I’d share with you readers and others what I saw as our battleground.  But… I was horribly wrong!  One of those “fiery darts” (notice they’re not flaming arrows) got past my “shield of faith” and I didn’t even know it.  I wasn’t exactly sure what “my sin” against Him was until last Monday.  Now I must say, it definitely wasn’t something I expected.  I couldn’t see it because:  I had a 4×4 in lodged in my eye.    In the letter Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he was clear in his closing remarks to them.

Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,  against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–

I wasn’t praying for ALL THE SAINTS with prayers and pleadings (supplications) as instructed… I was pointing fingers, as though I had it all right and others didn’t!  Our Glorious Loving God didn’t knock me around; or give me an incurable disease; or take away His Spirit from me.  Instead, as I sat outside Monday morning I asked Him again.  “What is wrong dear Father… I love you so, please for your glory an honor, in Jesus name please show me.”  He did!  I waked into my apartment just in time to hear one of my morning radio programs make their closing remarks.  It was Ephesians 6:18; immediately I received a devotional on my phone with basically the same content.  I could finally see—  I wept as though as I realized my pride was the target of that “dart” and it was effective… until I repented at that moment!  What joy there is when we know that the Creator God, the Great “I AM”, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ love us so much, that we are gently  chastened and corrected.  Thank you Father for loving us so much you chasten us!

My prayer is that this experience of mine may help someone…  Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus  Christ… I extend my blessings to all of you! ♥ Streim

Posted in Living in Today's World, Seeking Truth?, The Joy of His Love

The Glass Blower

Posted on by Streim
The Glass Blower
As a glass blower takes the glass tube and heats it over the flame, heating it to become a different shape by blowing through it, to shape it, rotating it in the heat to become the form he has in mind.
As the glass blower continues to shape the glass to meet his desire, he must be ever watchful not to over heat an area causing it to droop or collapse, or to the go too fast or slow that the glass will not accommodate the speed to perform as desired.** Also he must be aware of any interruption of the area he is working in.
All this is done in the proper procedure can cause the glass to be shaped into a large hollow shaped object. One thing to keep in mind is the fragility of the walls of the large hollow object.
Our hearts are like that tube of glass. Being molded and shaped by the Master’s hand. The Master is shaping us, rotating us, blowing the Holy Spirit to move in us for us to become the object and shape He wants us to be.
One thing the glass blower does not have to deal with is the will of the glass. The glass has none! It is only affected by the laws of nature.
Unlike our hearts which we can extend to great limits, with very thin fragile walls, we are still under the watchful eye of the Master. He will not stop us from using our personal wills which can cause us to be misshapen or fall apart. But the Master can and will catch us before it is too late, to rework us, reshape us and bring us back His design.

Inspired by Kenneth Krell~~ edited by Stephanie ~streim~

**1 Corinthians 10:13  “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Psalm 139: 14-14  “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”

Hebrews 13:5   “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ “

Genesis 28:15   “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

Isaiah 64:8   “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.”

Zechariah 13:9  ” I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ “

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~******************************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trust Him… it may feel like you’re being tested above measure… but it is by the love of our Lord Jesus and Heavenly Father that we are being created into the “new man” daily as we submit to Him!  Rejoice in His never failing mercies and grace!