What I love so much about my experience of God is his faithfulness and his way of using all the challenges of life to do something good. I remain convinced God is Good and bad stuff doesn’t come from him; (there are other sources at play in our world) because he promises in Romans 8:28 “He works ALL things for the Good of those who love Him”

We are often focused on the outcome, but he does his best work in the process and we often need to remind ourselves of that.

In Malachi 3:3 it states “He sits as a smelter and refiner of silver” This is often how he works with us in the heat of a situation.

I have recently come through several challenges and thinking I had a respite, another situation raised its head and I felt like I was back in the fire.

Having read that verse “He sits as a smelter and refiner of silver” I researched how a smelter refines silver… and yes it’s very hot; nearly 1000 degrees C, but it’s the care and attention the smelter gives that reassures.

Firstly he sits and watches with his full attention. He holds it in exactly the right position for exactly the right time. He watches over it until all the impurities are removed.

If he’s not satisfied with the result, it goes back in the fire.

He also knows if it stays in too long it will damage the silver, so will never leave it in the flame beyond what is safe.

Before modern technology, how did he know it was pure? He would get close to see his own image perfectly reflected!

So when I felt …oh no not again….I’m back in the fire… I reassured my heart that the one who holds me sits closely in the heat and watches over me with care, commitment and purpose… in fact I ended up having a little chuckle …I knew what was really going on… more refining!!

But I’m in safe hands.

He’s the same God of whom the psalmist said in

Psalm 66:12

we went through fire and water,

but you brought us to a place of abundance.

If you love God and His Christ, be reassured He’s working all things to His purpose and your good!

This is easy enough to say to others, but not so easy to say to ourselves or receive from others.

I've recently been redecorating Rob's office. In doing so, I've come across so many old diaries and notes that are years old!

If I was ever struggling with pressures of any kind, I used to write the feelings down, and then write my prayer telling the Lord I trusted Him on the uncomfortable journey I felt I was on and asking Him to strengthen me.

I've always said I am not a worrier. Growing up, my lovely mum always used to say "Why worry? It only ages you." and "99.9% of things we worry about never happen, and if they do, they never happen the way you imagine!" She really wasn't wrong.

These thoughts/concerns I'd written as prayers when we faced difficulties, definitely didn't turn out the way my thoughts were telling me at the time and the Lord not only sustained me/us but brought us through with a joyful testimony of His faithfullness and trustworthiness, every time. Even in the very worst of times, losing loved ones, the Lord provided all we needed in the moment (not in our imaginations, but in the moment).

Really I just wanted to remind us that the Lord has provided us with a wonderful imagination which can absolutely envision us to fulfill dreams and passions that the Lord has placed in our hearts, a hope to step into and declare. But our imaginations can also paint bleak pictures for our present day and future which create nothing but fear, anxiety, turmoil and worry.

If we have these feelings, I want to remind us that they are not from the Lord.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Philippians 4:6-7

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

The truth is our God is a good loving father and as equipped us with all that we need and more. We can absolutely trust Him on any journey.

He is so faithful!

Thank you Lord.

Over the last few weeks, the warm weather has meant that I've had my classroom windows open all the time. My room is on the first floor, and I can hear the buzz and excitement as all the Primary school pupils are in the playground. But there are two voices my ears are more attuned to. The voices of my two children. Whilst I hear the general buzz from everyone else, I often hear clearly the words and emotions as my two play. I can tell you when Isaac scores a goal in football or the cry when he falls over. I can tell you when Eliza is looking after the younger ones or is falling about laughing with her friends. These two voices are part of me. In fact, I would struggle to not hear them!

The same is true for all of us who know Jesus. Our natural disposition is to hear his voice above any other. Hearing His voice is completely wrapped up in relationship. It makes sense. The more time I spend with Jesus, the greater I know Him.

The Holy Spirit is a wonderful, still small voice in a very loud world. He's not chaotic, but His voice brings rest. He gives peace and direction. He orders our steps as we walk with Him and follow the direction He takes.

So today, if you want to hear His voice, spend time together. Read the Word with Him. Talk to Him through prayer. Speak in tongues. Sing about His goodness.

You'll find you're not straining to hear His voice, but that He's always right beside you.

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to his name.

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

I loved listening to Arne speak last week, it was so powerful and equipping.

He said not to worry about 'evangelism' just sow seeds... sow seeds of faith with your words, with your hospitality and with the good deeds He gives you to do. It is the holy spirit who does the work, we just have to be faithful in the small things he gives us to do. We also need to water those seeds with prayer, and we need to keep going with taking care of that seed, always listening to what is needed next.

In John 5:19-20 it says, 'Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.'

I remember with my sister, I tried so hard for years to tell her about God to get her saved and finally I gave up. I said to God, "if you don't do it, it's not going to happen!" And that is when God started to get to work! He told me to do certain things, he gave me good deeds to do at the right time, he gave me powerful words at the right time, he brought another Christian into her life to be her friend, he opened her eyes to differences in her relationship compared to mine and Andrews. It was amazing, because I knew it was all God and the things he gave me to do were easy, just right and at the right time for her heart to be touched, instead of me slogging in my own strength it was fun to be along for the ride.

Sometimes I can still fall into the trap of trying too hard, and getting frustrated so I'm so thankful for the reminder that evangelism is so simple and easy, it is God at work and we're along for the ride; sowing seeds, watering and taking care of them the way He shows us to.