Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jun 25th You Can Take The Heat – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Reading: Psalm 46-50, Proverbs 25, and Revelation 4-7

Today’s Verses: Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

And Proverbs 25:4: “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.”

Good morning! I was looking on the internet for information on refining silver. Proverbs 25:4 had stood out for me today, and I wanted to know more about refining silver. What follows is by an unknown author, but I felt I needed to share this with our readers…

“There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came cross verse three which says: “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what his statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot– then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy–when I see my image in it.”

This story is especially meaningful to those of us who may be in the hottest part of the flame right now. To know that God has his eyes fixed on those he is refining and cannot be distracted is most comforting! Nothing that happens in your life goes unnoticed by the Father ….. most comforting. He is aware of all and guess what? He’s on your side!! The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance and faithfulness. We are told that the mark of a true Christian does not lie in his works, but that we will know them by their fruit! Here we must also remember that this is HIS fruit, not ours ….. the fruit of the Spirit …. that word is capitalized in the Bible …. His Spirit ….. through us …. to others. What an awesome responsibility that is! Whenever I find myself in the “hottest flame,” I just instinctively look at the “fruit” list …. “What fruit is my Lord trying to bring forth in me now?” Every day He presents to me situations that require me to be gentle ….. kind ….. patient, etc. I’ve gotten to where I look for them now and rejoice when they come! l’m sure we’ve all at some time or another asked the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or more specifically “God’s people?” I don’t ask anymore …. I just know.

How else can He perfect in us the fruit of the Spirit unless obstacles are presented? Sometimes it’s in small ways, but very powerful; sometimes in much deeper ways …. painful even. It’s during these times I hope you will remember one thing from this devotional today …. “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy– when I see my image in it.”

Source(s):

http://www.revivaltimes.com/news/refining_silver.htm

This article makes me think: what do we really know about someone who is “going through it?” Are we willing to watch and allow God to work? Or do we act like Job’s friends getting on his case because they think he is being punished? Watching and waiting sounds like tough love, but it’s love that comes from our perfect Father. He knows us, and will not leave us in the fire for more than we can bear. In light of eternity, our life on earth is only but a vapor, and death is only the doorway to be forever with the One who died for us.

Peace (John 14:1-3)

Jun 24th Are You Thirsty?

Today’s Passages – Psalms 40-45; Proverbs 24

(Second Milers also read – Jude – Revelation 3; Memorize – Malachi 3:10)

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Psalm 42:1

I remember when I was a boy, the neighborhood that I grew up in was involved in an unorganized baseball league and we would challenge other neighborhoods in our town to play us. I remember one very hot, summer afternoon we were playing Lake Riviera, our arch rivals.  The temperature was in the 90’s with high humidity.  It was a real scorcher.  I don’t remember who won or lost that game, but I do remember that out of all of the dozen or so guys on our team only one had enough sense to bring water.  I recall he had one of those Coleman jugs that contained about a half gallon or so of water.  At first he did not want to share; but under the threat of death from his teammates, he finally yielded and shared his treasure.  It was as close as I ever came to identifying with the rich man in Luke 16, who desired just a drop of cool water.

In the passage referenced above the Psalmist tells us that he had that kind of a thirst, not for water, but for the things of God.  Jesus said, “…if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37), and “blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).  Amos referred to a thirst for the “hearing of the words of the Lord”. (Amos 8:11)

We tend to get thirsty when we have been without hydration for a while.  America is dehydrated spiritually, and I bet there are a lot of folks out there who are thirsting for God; and they may not even realize what they are thirsting for.  They have been drinking from the wells of this world for a long time, but have not found satisfaction.  The people of God are not helping the situation because they too have abandoned the well of the Word of God and have been sipping at the fountains of the devil.

Are you thirsty?  As God’s people, our desire should be for God’s will and God’s Word.  We should thirst after it.  How long has it been since you took a good, long, satisfying drink from God’s well?  How long has it been since you offered a cup of God’s Spirit to the thirsty people of the world around you?

Jun 23rd Nuggets of Gold from the 37th Psalm

Today’s Passages – Psalms 36-39; Proverbs 23

(Second Milers also read – 1 John 4 – 3 John; Memorize – Malachi 3:10)

Before I give you today’s thought from the Scripture, I would like to apologize for the inconsistent posts lately. My schedule has changed quite a bit here lately, and there have been several days where I just could not squeeze it in. I hate to admit this, but I am a little behind in my Bible reading. Pray for me that I will be able to get all of my ducks in a row.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – (Psalm 37:4)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” – (Psalm 37:23)

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” – (Psalm 37:25)

Have you ever noticed that Psalm 37 contains many wonderful verses that we often quote. I have listed three of them above, but really I could have added more. This Psalm almost reminds me of a chapter from the Book of Proverbs, but the theme seems to be the same throughout the Psalm. The bottom line to this Psalm is that God is encouraging us to trust in His promises and provisions; and to not worry about the apparent prosperity of the lost world around us. Their success and superiority is short-lived at best; but ours is eternal.

Let’s consider the three verses listed above. David says that a good man will “order” his steps according to the direction of the Lord. This means tha a good man will yield himself to the will of the Lord. Notice that both verse 4 and 23 say that this good man will “delight” in God. God then in turn not only provides the necessities mentioned in v 25, but also will grant his desires. What a wonderful and awesome God we serve. What does this world have to offer you that could possibly compare to what God wants to give that “good” man (or woman) who delights in Him.

Jun 22nd (No Title)

Today’s Passages – Psalms 32-35; Proverbs 22

(Second Milers also read – 2 Peter 3 – 1 John 3; Memorize – Malachi 3:10)

Jun 21st Wait, I Say, On the Lord – Guest Post by Sami Erickson

Today’s Passages – Psalms 26-31; Proverbs 21

(Second Milers also read – 1 Peter 4 – 2 Peter 2; Memorize – Malachi 3:10)

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:Wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

In this day and age we have gotten used to getting anything we want immediately. If we have to wait five minutes in line we are in an uproar. We have become a very impatient people. I fear that we expect the same kind of service from our Heavenly Father as well. How many times have you prayed and asked God for something and since it wasn’t answered immediately you just gave up? I know im guilty! Sorry to say, the Lord doesn’t work like this. The Lord doesn’t do things on our time lines, He does them on His.

Wait on the Lord! No matter what the situation is, no matter how scary it may be . “The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1) I know at times you may think you need an answer right away and circumstances surrounding you are saying there is no hope but “Wait, I say, on the Lord”

I have gone through times when I wondered “does God even hear me?”  “Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me:” (psalm 28:1) God is not a God of confusion. If you Wait on Him he WILL answer your prayer, or reveal His will to you. The worst thing you can do is act on what YOU think is the right thing to do, simply because you cant wait for God to show you. There is nothing better then to know 100% that its all God and zero you. “Wait , I say, on the Lord.” Gerald always says “Let go and Let God” Give it up to the Lord…. Whatever it is! And WAIT on Him.

Have a Great day!!!!

Jun 20th Mountaintop or Valley?

Jun 19th My Thoughts and Words

Today’s Passages – Psalms 17-20; Proverbs 19

(Second Milers – James 1 – 4; Memorize – Malachi 3:10)

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

I love the Word of God.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Book of Job; but I am also having a wonderful time each morning in the Psalms.  As I read this morning, I was captured by the beauty of Psalm 19.  Verses 1-6 are expressions of David’s worship of God.  Verses 7 – 11 are remarks that lift up the Word of God, and the reader is admonished to place a higher value on the Word of God than gold.  Great Advice!

However, the verses that really caught my attention were verses 12 – 14 where David prays to God regarding God’s help in keeping him from sin.  In verses 12 and 13, he speaks of secret sins and presumptuous sins.  The presumptuous sins are those that we do blatantly, proudly, and in public view.  David begs God’s help in the removal of these things.

Verse 14 is the prayer that all of us should have on our lips and in our hearts the moment that we awake from sleep.  How often do we violate our relationship with God by allowing evil thoughts to take hold of our meditations.  we muse on things that are clearly outside of the will of God.  Ask God to control your thought life.  The minute the devil causes you to think about something that is wrong, take it to God.  Ask Him to help you.  Purposely divert your thoughts to things that are true, honest, just, and pure, etc.  Our sin begins with the musings of our heart.

Notice also the petition regarding his words.  Oh how I wish that I could take back some of my words.  The tongue can be a consuming fire, a deadly poison.  Why not ask God to help you get your tongue under control.

I wonder how many mistakes we could have avoided in the past had we made this our prayer?  We don’t have to make the same mistake in the future.  Let God control your thought life and your tongue!

Jun 18th (No Title)

Today’s Passages – Psalms 9 – 16; Proverbs 18

(Second Milers also read – Hebrews 10 – 13; Memorize Luke 6:38)

Jun 17th A Recipe for Success

Today’s Passages – Psalms 1-8; Proverbs 17

(Second Milers also read – Hebrews 6 – 9; Memorize Luke 6:38)

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” – (Psalm 1:1-6)

The recipe for success in God’s economy is simple and sure. God says that we are to separate ourselves from the philosophies of this world; ans submerse our lives in the principles of the Word of God. It’s that simple. Notice that this psalm teaches that if we will do these things we will be fruitful and prosperous. This is a guaranteed promise from God.

Why is it that Christians do not follow this simple recipe from the Word of God?  I think that there are many reasons for this, but the one that stands out above the rest seems to be that we really do not fully believe the promise. Our sight of the substance of this world overpowers our faith in the things that are not seen. Another reason that comes to mind is that because the blessings that come as a result of our faithfulness to God and His word often only come after a time of testing, Christians often throw in the towel and follow their own instincts. But whatever the reasons may be, the fact remains that most of us never arrive at the place where we experience the level of prosperity that God promises.

Christian, let me encourage you to meditate, and even memorize this wonderful psalm. Let it be absorbed into your soul. Even more importantly, however, you should put this portion of Scripture into practice in your life. Fall in love with the Word of God, and follow its principles. Don’t be enamored with all the glitz that this world may offer you. Choose to live for the things that really matter.