Allen Parr is dynamic in his delivery of various topics regarding God. I love his enthusiasm.
Although there are numerous resources to assist you in discovering your purpose, remember it will always bring glory to God. We are created by and for the Lord. Look to your creator to discover your purpose.
Remember…“The way you SEE your life SHAPES your life. How you define life determines your destiny. Your perspective will influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your relationships.” ― Rick Warren
Have you ever owned your own business and wrestled with calculating profit? The major factor is the expense endured. When costs outweigh revenue…well we all know the rest of the story. It is not exactly a vibrant illustration of success nor a flourishing picture of a booming lemonade stand. (Sorry, Charlie Brown!)
Profit is acknowledged as a gain. In society today, most will jump at a chance to obtain an advantage in life and/or over someone else. We see this in businesses and sports daily. Having leverage over the competition is all the rage in order to be ranked #1. Just look at what the NFL is willing to pay.
We experience this type of opposition in life every second. The enemy makes every attempt to capitalize on your pain, failures, disappointments, -wait for it- as well as your successes, happiness, and prized moments. Of course, the list goes on and on. The adversary will do whatever it takes to achieve favor for selfish profit. I Peter 5:8 warns us of the schemes and advises us to be on guard.
In Galatians 2, Paul calls Peter out on his toxic actions which were rooted in Peter’s own selfish concern of personal profit. Peter refused to dine with the Gentiles because he feared it could jeopardize his religious standing in Jerusalem once the influential Jewish believers arrived. What a perfect example of the enemy weaseling his way into a situation to cause division. However, what the adversary planned actually failed and unity was achieved.
God has a mysterious way of working. It requires us to follow Him blindly, aka faith. Our trust is a firm investment in Him without selfish fear or personal gain concerns. We must surrender and release control over our life regardless of the advantage point we think we might have. Let us not forget-God has already won. Our Lord is ruler over all! (Proverbs 22:2)
I once heard it said, “If we really did profit from our mistakes, I’d be extremely rich by now”. Unfortunately, I think whoever wrote this pun must have been spying on me through the years. My past could be viewed as a Personal Alertness, Spiritual Trial from God. Wake up child and get your act together! I have wasted time by not glorifying the Father in numerous ways and I have grieved the Holy Spirit on many occasions. Father, I am so sorry. As God continues to refine me, I pray that my obedience increases and that my actions reflect a pure heart sold out at all costs for the Lord.
Below are some of my take-a-ways where God capitalized. The opposition tried to hinder my life from being under God’s authority but the enemy lost everything when I tallied the profit.
Thank you, Father for using these things to glorify your name.
I am not a scientist by any shape or form but I long to have
a constant current surging with the Lord. God’s Word permits me to remain
connected and energized. The Bible is a living and active source if I am
willing to be conducive with the authority of my heavenly Father. Through
studying, meditating, praying, and infusing scripture into situations of life,
I have strengthened my faith and knowledge. God’s Word has intensified my
understanding of a steadfast existence and taught me not to be reliant on those
wavering emotions and reactions.
There are numerous approaches to studying scripture. Like
some of you, I enjoy orderliness when digesting God’s Word. However, I
appreciate and embrace change at times because it often eliminates my tendency
to become stagnate. Sometimes a new perception or concept stimulates deeper
thinking or a different viewpoint.
Be encouraged to sample various techniques and methods while
growing in and through scripture. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 reminds us that the
Bible is the actual word of God and it is at work within each of us who believe
in Him by faith. 2 Timothy 2:15 also encourages us to do our best in handling
the word of truth. When reading and applying scripture, I think about
Philippians 4:6. For me, I am convicted to surrender my perception and pray to
receive God’s stance. I know His heavenly mindset will far outweigh my meager
worldly thoughts.
Recently, while revamping a scripture presentation, I began
thinking about the most impactful parts of studying scripture for me. I am
aware that I need to be careful not to use scripture out of context and not to
rely on my own viewpoint. My main concern is how the word of truth applies to
me currently and how I need to live it out under God’s ruling.
Below is a Bible study process I call AMPS. I know an amp is
short for ampere which is a unit of constant electrical current. (Please don’t
expect me to explain any further because this alone is pushing the limits.) So,
I knew this acronym would stick in my brain because of my desire to stay
connect with God. Let me know what you think and if it works for you. Blessings
to all.
AMPS:
Attention
Meaning
Perspective of God
Saturation
Attention:
There are passages of scripture or certain verses which capture our
attention when reading God’s Word. The Spirit of truth prompts us to dig deeper
to fully digest the message. Write down the scripture. As you write, take a
closer look at each word and think about why God had the writer craft these
words in such a manner.
Meaning:
God’s Word is truth and our sword. However, as mature followers, the real
meaning of His Word comes from focusing on the entire context. Read the entire book/chapter
over and over. Consult various versions and commentaries. Study with like
believers. Be firm in your knowledge to prevent deception or twisted thinking.
Perspective
of God: Through prayer God gives us a heavenly perspective unlike our own.
His ideas and thoughts are often foreign and take time to comprehend. He longs
for a relationship with us and will reveal His thoughts as we talk with Him in
prayer. Ask God to give you clarity of His Word. Then listen in faith to God’s angle
and direction.
Saturation:
God desires us to put into practice what His Word declares. Infuse the passage
into life circumstances and immerse life with His truth. Instill the meaning of
God’s promises in ALL areas of life: despair, peace, turmoil, joy, etc. Permeate
your thinking and let His truth refine your heart by surrendering it all to His
authority.
Embrace
your spiritual growth journey under the refinement of a God who loves you
immensely!
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Her
daughter, his wife, their mother, her aunt, his granddaughter, their employee, a
participant of a church, and the list continues. The world gives us many titles
as we assume roles in our lifetime. But who are you really? If everything was stripped
away including all worldly labels, who would you declare you are? I wonder what
Job would have renounced after all was lost and his wife told him to curse God
and die.
In Galatians chapter 1, Paul demonstrates complete
confidence in stating who he was. It is evident within the first few verses that
Paul distinguishes himself as a follower called by Christ. He even denotes his face-to-face
conversion on the Damascus road. (Acts 7:54-8:3 and 9:1-31) Paul never wavers
in his beliefs and continually exhibits a bold, whole-hearted following.
Growing up I
had several identities: her daughter, their granddaughter, his stepchild, their
cousin, her niece, faithful church attender, student, but never HIS daughter. The
question always occurred, “Why is your last name different than everyone else
in your family?” To my child mind, it echoed “misfit”. I not only struggled
with self-identity but even wrestled with who God said I was. The enemy’s lie incessantly
resonated and he tried to convince me that I was “unwanted”.
Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are all part of God’s divine design. He has revealed His love for us through Christ Jesus and extended grace to all. The Lord validates each of us as His creation numerous times in scripture. However, the Father allows His children to decide if they will follow Him. If Paul were alive today, I truly believe he would urge everyone to accept the life changing power of God’s grace and testify to the eternal blessing it brings.
Today, I
know I am HIS DAUGHTER! I look forward to the day to receive my first warm
embrace face-to-face with a Daddy who has never left me. It brings tears to my
eyes every time I reflect on who I am in Him. The overwhelming love is moving.
So, who do
you say you are? Make note of the scriptures listed below and use them to refute
the enemy’s deceptions. Pull out the Sword and fight back the fabrication. You are
God’s child!
Deuteronomy 28:13 The LORD will make you
the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your
God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at
the top, never at the bottom.
2 Timothy 1:7-9 For the Spirit God gave
us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So
do not be ashamed of the testimony about our LORD or of me his prisoner.
Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He
has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done
but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ
Jesus before the beginning of time,
Colossians 2:12 having been buried with
him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in
the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of
God’s grace
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you
may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on
earth. Colossians 3:2
Has anything ever obstructed your line of vision? All you wanted
was a clear view. Maybe it was a crowd of people impeding your full focus on
the lead singer at a concert or a mass of cars preventing you from spying the main
traffic jam culprit. Regardless, what you longed to observe was muddled at
best. Your sharp, distinct view is but a wish.
When we moved outside of town, my husband diligently began pruning.
It was quite the undertaking to remove yucca, prickly pear, and thorny shrub,
but we agreed they had to go. However, the elimination of cedar was based on
“standing in the way of” our vision. The view beyond our property was what
attracted us to the area. So, it made sense why we wouldn’t allow anything to
interfere.
I’ve often pondered my view of God. In Proverbs 3:5, God reminds
me to not lean on my own understanding but to fully trust Him in all things. It
wasn’t until I found myself in a pit of darkness that I finally called out the
verse Matthew 20:33, “Lord, open my eyes. I need to really see YOU!” I longed for
clarity, precise distinction, and pure vision of God because the enemy had
obstructed my view. Confusion and lack of focus seemed to be my everyday state
of mind. I could barely discern good from bad. I questioned whether I truly
believed God was able to resolve this raging life storm.
God allowed me to realize over time what was blocking my vision
was basically me! My way of thinking was unlike His perspective. All I could
see was a worldly scene of the here and now. As I embraced Colossians 3:2, I
knew my mental thoughts needed an overhaul and I had to align my mind to the
mind of Christ.
Heavenly thinking begins with complete surrender to the authority of God. God’s perspective does not match ours. If there is a part of you wondering how valid this statement is, try this…Is there someone in your life grating on your nerves? Is it all you can do to even “like” them on a good day? Pray this prayer. Father God, allow me to see ( ) the way you do. Keep praying that prayer every time you feel you can no longer handle the “sandpaper” person. If you want to really seek after God’s perspective, pray Father God, allow me to love ( ) the way you do.
God changed my view several times by sincerely praying that simple prayer. I’ll refrain from sharing because I want to hear your results once you put it into practice. Come back and leave a comment. I have a feeling your viewpoint may be supernaturally altered.
Embrace refinement within your heart and long for a clear view of who God really is. I leave you with 1 Samuel 16:7b…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks of the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. God’s heart is precisely for you 24/7.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Why is this happening? Am I dreaming? Please someone tell me this is just my imagination. What good could ever come from this? No Lord, say it isn’t so.
Does this quickly take you back to a life event? Is the tragedy forever etched in your mind? Did it completely “knock you off your feet”? At the time, it had your full attention.
In the summer of 2013, my brother was found dead six days after he had expired. Nothing will ever erase the horrid screams of my mother when I answered the phone at work that day. It was devastating. As I began running wildly around the building, my first thought was to get someone to my mother’s house immediately. She was 7+ hrs. away. Next was to call my husband because I needed to cancel an appointment. You see my recent mammogram landed me under the care of two cancer doctors. I had a high-risk appointment scheduled for more extensive tests. Life went on hold. Death was front and center…GO PILOT 24/7 became the norm for days.
This is just the outside coating to an unbelievable situation. All of the other circumstances surrounding this were a direct act of the enemy. God had my full attention yet little did I know my personal deep, dark valley had just begun . . .
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 we discover the word transform. It means to make a thorough or dramatic change. Shattering events leave us broken on many levels. For most, we will never be the same. Tragedy definitely pushes our “high alert” button.
God’s refining includes transformation. Most of us can testify that this is very evident when we try to adjust to the “new norm” after a major life changing event. Life is never the same as it once was. However, when we rely on God’s power through His word and the Holy Spirit, the worldly pain and suffering is transformed as well.
God’s divine plan includes your journey and spiritual growth. Every struggle and experience aligns with His purpose. There are times where life stretches us far beyond our range of comfort. Be encouraged my friend–you are not alone! The Father is on His throne and your transformation under His authority will produce supernatural results! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! –He loves you immensely.
For in him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16
Have you ever freely created something without instructions or training? I remember watching my Granny in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals without a recipe and utilizing her garden produce. Of course, she had years of experience. Although I have gained some kitchen knowledge from her wisdom, I have attempted to make several innovative things using whatever I could scrounge up. (truth factor–I probably didn’t want to go to the grocery store) However, it has awarded me the title of “Cracker Soup” but needless to say, not everything has always been edible.
Look around you. See all those material objects? They were created for a purpose. Most have had to endure a process to become a final product. How about that cozy, leather recliner you might be enjoying currently? The majority of leathers are a by-product and would be considered waste if it wasn’t for a vision someone had for the raw product. However, the hide has to go through a process before anyone can use it for the purpose intended.
What do you think about when reflecting on the word Refining? When I think about refining, salsa comes to mind. My favorite way to prepare it is to initially roast everything. I will spare you the scientific undertaking and transformation that takes place under the pressure of the heat. However, my salsa seems to standout when I take the time to roast the tomatoes, garlic, onions, and peppers. The ingredients are cut, roasted, crushed, and blended to perfection as they are gently seasoned with salt and cilantro. One can hardly recognize the shape and form of the initial items. Yum!
Now, let’s focus on the Lord’s refinement. God created all things in His perfect design plan with eternity in mind. You and I are part of His agenda. Psalm 139:14 states that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We can easily pause and demonstrate gratitude to our Lord for creating us much like David eloquently portrays in the book of Psalm. That is the easy part.
However. . .just like our physical body matures (whether we like it or not), God expects us to develop in our walk with Him. He is a loving Father and gives us the freedom to surrender to obedience and spiritual growth under His authority. We are ALL a work in progress but God will work in and through us if we are willing.
Salvation is only the beginning to expressing a “YES” posture for God. John 15:20 gently reminds us “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” A life following Jesus does involve hardship. Amen, those trials and life circumstances are a struggle. They cut us, scar us, roast us, crush us, and transform us for better or worse. God uses these difficult encounters to refine our lives much like the refinement of silver…
When the chemical element “Ag” advances within the fiery furnace, the silversmith knows exactly when the refinement is accomplished. He/she simply waits until they observe their own reflection in the silver. Can God completely see His reflection in you?
May we each embrace our spiritual growth through a refinement journey so one day our sweet Lord identifies us through His likeness.
If you desire to dig deeper in your relationship with the Lord and learn to embrace the spiritual maturity, I would encourage you to experience Refining. Let it be the springboard to living as a devoted follower of God.
Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you. Don’t waste your pain; use it to help others.
— Rick Warren.
Welcome to the first Refining post. After composing the Refining study, it launched immediately and was formatted into various modes of delivery. Honestly, my head is still spinning. Another face-to-face group is on the horizon as I write!
Since takeoff and completion for several groups, I found participants wanting more to support their individual spiritual growth and to deeply embrace their journey of refinement. This blog is designed to continue nurturing spiritual maturity for individuals in order to progress in their own personal relationship with God.
SO…once again I am saying, “Yes, Lord”. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.
Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. (NIV)
I am a native Texan transplanted from the central region to the panhandle. I grew up in Waco, TX but have had the privilege to live in Germany, South Carolina, and various Texas locations.
I think you would agree…blogging has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. New context seems to be just a click away. Enthusiastically accepting this fact, I have embraced the method as a mode to carry out God’s purpose in my life through a calling I would have never imagined.
This blog is designed to be an extension of the Refining study I wrote in 2019. Since the study evolved, I felt the desire to reach individuals on a larger scale. The primary goal is to deliver scripture-based context to readers in order for them to infuse God into every aspect of their daily lives. Come join the Refinement Journey and embrace life under God’s authority!
Refining [Spiritual Growth] 