Refinement

The act of purifying by separating from a substance all non essential or unimportant matter; a clearing from scum, dregs; as the refinement of metals. Improving something by making it more sophisticated or effective.

Am I Different? Am I Changing? Am I Growing? Am I Becoming?

Am I Willing to be “Refined?”

Abraham Lincoln said, “I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser than he was yesterday.

Am I willing to put myself through anything? Temporary pain or discomfort must mean nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take my life, and those lives around me that I influence to a new level of living.

I am interested in the unknown (as yet) plans and purpose that God has for me.

I am also aware that the only path to the unknown is through breaking the present barriers of my life, and that this is often a painful process.

There is an old Irish proverb I can relate, all too well to….

“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather is.”

We will continue to plateau or worse fall backwards if we continue to believe, and attempt today’s assignments with yesterday’s tools.

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. ~Ben Franklin

Elmer Towns teaching about personal growth said, “If you want to heat up a fireplace poker, you don’t put it across the room from the fire. No, you put it right IN the fire, right next to the hot coals. And the heat transfers. The key to growth is the same for people. To gain “Heat” for growth, (for Refinement) we need to get close to those who are already hot.” Here are a few simple steps to make that happen:

1. Spend time with Great people.

2. Learn their Great Ideas through CDs, DVDs, Blogs, Tweets, Sermons,

3. Visit Great Places that will Inspire you.

4. Attend Great Events that will prompt you to pursue change.

5. Read Great Books.

Remember: Whatever You Do Today, Do It Better Tomorrow!

If you can Handle the Heat Check out the attached Study Tool….

“The Process Of Refinement….”

See You In Church

Mark & Deb

Your Comments are our reward….Thanks.

Reaction

Character is the sum total of all our everyday choices; our “Reaction” to events to external stimulus.

Some people succeed by What they Know; some by What they Do; and a few by What they ARE!

C.S. Lewis observed, “Every time you make a Choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something a little different than it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into hellish creature.”

Nobody desires to take the path that leads downward. Each of us aspires to be something more, something bigger, something better. The secret to the uphill path comes in the individual Reaction; in the responses we make.

Listen, the hard cold truth is Tribulations, trials, troubles, tears they come to everyone, but they make some people Bitter and some Better. You either become a Burden or a Blessing to those around you based on your Reaction to these things.

There is a tremendous difference between people who have big problems and the people who make a problem big…… Reaction!

“Love is the Christlike reaction to people’s malice.

Joy is the Christlike reaction to depressing circumstances.

Peace is the Christlike reaction to troubles, threats and invitations to anxiety.

Patience is the Christlike reaction to all that is maddening.

Kindness is the Christlike reaction to all that are unkind.

Goodness is the Christlike reaction to bad people and bad behavior.

Faithfulness and gentleness are the Christlike reactions to lies and fury.

Self-control is the Christlike reaction to every situation that goads you to lose your cool and hit ….” J.I. Packer in Knowing and Doing the Will of God

Let’s Strive to cultivate the Reactions necessary to be who God wants and Needs us to be. To be that successful, passionate, giving leader.

And let’s Remember someone is watching us that needs to see Jesus in us.

Deb & I want to be Better at Reacting!

We hope you React well to this Blog?

We hope you React by using the attached study tool

The People You Meet “in” a Problem.

What’s Your Reaction? Respond with a Comment Below!!!!

Transformation

A complete change, usually into something with an improved appearance or usefulness…. In theology, a change of heart in man, by which his disposition and temper are conformed to the divine image; a change from hostility to holiness and love.

But I Thought God Loves Us Just Like We Are?

The answer of course is Yes!

But He Loves Us Too Much To Leave Us Who We Are!

Christians are a “work in progress.” When people outside the Christian faith examine its major themes, they ought to consider the ongoing work of the Spirit of God, helping mature and perfect believers — in religious language, this means sanctifying believers. The power to accomplish this work is not the creative ingenuity or manpower that humans can summon — it is the Spirit of Christ himself.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ~2Corinthians 3:18

When people call followers of Jesus “Christians,” it’s more than a name, it is also a description. We who try daily to follow him, also seek to live like him.

Scripture describes Christians as growing from babies into mature disciples. The grace of God has broken down barriers. We are drawn to him, and when we come to him, Christ cleanses our souls. God’s love given us through Jesus brings us rebirth and renewal.

Jesus provided the cleansing for our sin-filled life — and he made the pattern for our new life. He is the starting point in our transformation — our Alpha. And he is our goal — our Omega.

Note that he is the pattern; we are “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” As God’s image takes shape in us, we will see God’s power as we confront & conquer sin. Our transformation begins. The Lord blesses our daily living as we make Spirit lead Bible grounded decisions. We become holier, wiser, and more loving as we seek to become more obedient and reach souls for Jesus.

People pay big money to have a new look. But sadly, few believers would ever consider a change-over. The apostle Paul, however, insists that every believer should have a lasting transformation — not by scalpel, injection, laser correction or liposuction, but through the transformational power of the Holy Spirit:

Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

Have you been transformed? Can the world see the love of Jesus in your life?

It’s NOT just a New Leaf ~ It’s A New Life!

Let God begin his work of transformation in you today!

Deb & I are asking God to empower us with His Spirit.

See You In Church……

Don’t forget that God specializes in the work of transformation. In fact, the Holy Spirit’s major job description is transformation.

Study Tool ….. The Work Of The Spirit…