This World Needs to See Some Heat-Resistant Christians!
Dan. 3:27 "And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power..."
This world needs to see some heat-resistant Christians! It is no wonder that our Lord in great wisdom allows us to pass through the fires of adversity in this life; it is so that when we come out on the other side shining like gold, we can testify of His goodness! 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
God wants to shine through us, but the only way for Him to truly do so is to put us through the fire. Painful as it may be, the elimination of impurities makes it worth the while when at last we reflect the image of our King in the way we live, act, and think. Steel which has been tempered in the fire has been hardened by the flame so as to withstand much greater pressure; and so we who have been exposed to hardships which required long endurance for survival have also been strengthened in our faith.
The child of God needs not forget that he is in a battle which requires extensive and exhaustive training to prepare him for what is ahead. Our Lord is gracious to prepare us for our future! We do not need to think of our present-day battle as an unnecessary evil; rather, we should look at it as a stepping stone to victory! I cannot speak for anyone else, but I must admit that there have been many trials I have come through over the years that I would never want to relive, but that I also wouldn’t trade for the world!
Why? I am stronger because of them, and perhaps a little wiser. Oh, if only I knew then what I know now! Perhaps now I do know what I’ll need to know tomorrow; only time will tell. One thing is certain; my Lord has proven His faithfulness to me, and I know that He will continue to hold my hand no matter what, because He has never once left my side. Certainly if this generation were to witness first-hand an army of believers upon whom the fire has no power, then Christ would truly be lifted up, and would draw all men unto Himself! I wonder how many “flame-walkers” are being tempered right now?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
This world needs to see some heat-resistant Christians! It is no wonder that our Lord in great wisdom allows us to pass through the fires of adversity in this life; it is so that when we come out on the other side shining like gold, we can testify of His goodness! 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
God wants to shine through us, but the only way for Him to truly do so is to put us through the fire. Painful as it may be, the elimination of impurities makes it worth the while when at last we reflect the image of our King in the way we live, act, and think. Steel which has been tempered in the fire has been hardened by the flame so as to withstand much greater pressure; and so we who have been exposed to hardships which required long endurance for survival have also been strengthened in our faith.
The child of God needs not forget that he is in a battle which requires extensive and exhaustive training to prepare him for what is ahead. Our Lord is gracious to prepare us for our future! We do not need to think of our present-day battle as an unnecessary evil; rather, we should look at it as a stepping stone to victory! I cannot speak for anyone else, but I must admit that there have been many trials I have come through over the years that I would never want to relive, but that I also wouldn’t trade for the world!
Why? I am stronger because of them, and perhaps a little wiser. Oh, if only I knew then what I know now! Perhaps now I do know what I’ll need to know tomorrow; only time will tell. One thing is certain; my Lord has proven His faithfulness to me, and I know that He will continue to hold my hand no matter what, because He has never once left my side. Certainly if this generation were to witness first-hand an army of believers upon whom the fire has no power, then Christ would truly be lifted up, and would draw all men unto Himself! I wonder how many “flame-walkers” are being tempered right now?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill