Pray me through the fire...

K

KingJimmy Apr 9, 2009

Dear Saints,

Please be in deep prayer for me. As many of you may recall, around Christmas time I suffered a broken engagement with my fiance. We parted on good terms, but needless to say, after 4 years of being together, my heart was deeply broken. Indeed, my heart is still broken. Though I have been pretty good for a couple months now, things that have come up this week centering around my former relationship have caused powerful emotions to resurge. I've cried every night since Friday or Saturday.

This past year has been very very challenging and trying to me. Everything from getting adjusted to my job first full-time job, to taking on an additional part-time job to make ends meet, to moving out on my own, to the disappointment I felt not being chosen for a ministry opportunity that I really longed for, along with what I considered some great highs in the relationship I was in, along with the crushing breakup. I know God will turn it to good, and believe He is molding me into the "man" he wants me to become. Indeed, that is the thing I've prayed for so badly, that I might truly become a "father of faith" in the fullest sense of the term, and have always known that prayer request would be answered with fire and suffering. Indeed, I remember a sermon my brother preached when I last visited him in Chicago when I was 19 or 20 (I'm 26 presently). In the sermon he said something to the effect, "When you dared to pray 'God, I'll go anywhere you want me to go, and be whatever you want me to be,' God heard you and takes you seriously, so why are we so surprised when He answers?"

God told me last year change was coming in my life, but He also told me that I'd be ok through it all. I don't pretend to know what's around the next corner in my journey. Right now I just consider myself along for the ride, wherever the Lord may go. Just pray for me though. I really need a breakthrough, and special touch from the Lord.

I'm having a very hard time.

J

Joshh Apr 9, 2009

I'm praying Jimmy

M

Miccah Apr 9, 2009

I stand with you my brother.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2009

Dear Brother - that prayer over your own life came from Him. Even our best desires, prayers, messages, etc. come from Him. But you already knew that. ;-)
He's squeezing out the oil from you the olive alrighty - as HE is with all of us who have prayed similar prayers. I prayed when I first got saved to be poured out like a drink offering and to die to me - "no matter the cost". Oh my - thirty something years later - HE has taken all I prayed very seriously because He is the Author of all such prayers. Squeezed to the pulp - "For HIS Glory Only!" is our cry. Eyes no longer on or for 'self' AT ALL.

Your area will need you when things 'hit'.

Like Sampson - you'll go out in a blaze of Glory for HIM. Be patient. You surely will be needed, to be a balast of peace in the midst of the storm ... them asking you the reason for your hope.

Besides, you've been writing some Good things during all of this hardship. :-)

Pray one for another - to His Glory alone.
Thank you!

C

Compton Apr 9, 2009

We're with you Jimmy. :)

K

KingJimmy Apr 9, 2009

Thank you very much for your prayers, and especially the wisdom you provided Jesus-Is-God. I like your metaphor of a squeezed olive, I'll have to remember that... and I'm sure I will at least in the immediate future.

As Paul said, death works in us so life might work in somebody else. Ron Bailey has a good thought about "vicarious suffering" on his blog that is definitely worth checking out.

http://biblebasesecondthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/03/vicarious-suffering.html

M

MJones Apr 9, 2009

KingJimmy wrote:
God told me last year change was coming in my life, but He also told me that I'd be ok through it all.

Jimmy,

Whatever you do, don't forget the words you have written here. I had a similar warning a couple of years ago. Tough period, but what He said, He has done. Satan will do all to get you to doubt what God told you. He's pretty convincing. His lies are easy to believe.

If you have thoughts that are contrary to what God told you on the front end, know that satan is in there somewhere.

If nothing else, I learned this lesson: satan has his lies to distract us from God's truth. If we listen to them, he has won our faith - we have believed a lie. We have to physically take the time to go before God to give Him a chance to remind of His truth. If we will, He will. When He does, it dispells satan's lies. It reestablishes peace.

Sorry for your trouble. I know it is gut wrenching. Even if you do what I've said, it will still be gut wrenching. The only consolation in it all is that it provides an opportunity to find God as no other opportunity affords.

Keep digging,

Mike

K

KingJimmy Apr 9, 2009

Mike,

Thank you for your words. Indeed, that promise is what I keep holding on to. At first I saw that word from the Lord through rose-colored-glasses. I thought it meant something wonderful was just around the corner, though, knowing the Lord, I knew it might mean some of the things I've had to go through. Things were looking good, as a lot of what I had set out to accomplish did come to pass, so, I thought more good stuff was immediately in store. Generally I try to be a pretty optimistic guy, so I was hoping more immediate blessing instead of pain.

But as I'm always reminded, God's pattern is death before resurrection. That is what Hebrews 11-12:1-4 is all about. Of course, as the Psalm says, sorrow is but for the night and joy comes in the morning. So indeed, I hold on and put on the helmet of salvation and cling to the shield of faith so that I might quinch the fiery darts of the enemy, battling with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

"How?" "When?" and "Can I?" are questions the enemy is using to to try to drag me down right now. He uses "how?" to try and cause me to doubt the strong arm of the Lord. He uses "when?" to make me think the promise is unattainable, and always forever and ever away. He uses "Can I?" to try and keep me from even pressing towards the mark.

But I believe God, not the devil.

G

growingholly Apr 9, 2009

a good plan.

and also, let us destroy speculations...we have heard so much in our culture that blessings and discipline are different things...people talk a lot about "blessings", i.e. positive, happy things, and that the Lord's discipline is more of the hard stuff. but i belive fully that they are one and the same. can you see the discipline as the blessing? (heb 12:11) does it bless you to know that He loves you so much He willing to squeeze the oil from you? i know that it does bless you, dear one. He has to often tear violently away the things that He demands we give up for Him, ~~[i]~~so that [/i] He can show us just how powerful His comforting love can be. i believe that i understand some of your feelings, they are tough for sure. may you be blessed with the peaceful fruit of righteousness. may you be blessed with Him.
:)
h

sermonindex Apr 9, 2009

hello Jimmy,

This morning I read some verses in the Psalm 66 that reassured what I already knew...that is, God allows and brings trials into our lives for the purpose of proving and purifying us.

"O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
~~[b]~~For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place[/b]." Psalm 66:8-12

And the hymn, God Leads Along, also came to mind,

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

~~[i]~~Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.[/i]

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.

~~[i]~~Refrain

Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.[/i]

I'm praying for you also.

your sister,
Joy

W

White_Stone Apr 9, 2009

Dear KingJimmy,

Roniya brought to mind this modern parable I have found very comforting in times of trial.

Roniya quoted a scripture from Psalm 66:

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Here is an elaboration of the process of refining silver.
~~[b]~~[font=Verdana]The Silversmith

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:

"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3)

One lady proposed to visit a silversmith, and report to them on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling the object of her errand, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver.

After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "But Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." God sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.

Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "When do you know the process is complete?" "Why, that is quite simple," replied the silversmith..[color=0000CC] "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished." [/color][/font][/b]

Praying for you in your refining process. Please picture how the finished product will shine!

Kindest regards,
white stone

sermonindex Apr 9, 2009

One more thing...today's Grace Gem :)

Do not forsake me, O Lord!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Do not forsake me, O Lord! Do not be far from me, O my God!" Psalm 38:21

Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation; but we too much forget that we have need to use this prayer at all times. There is no moment of our life, however holy--in which we can do without His constant upholding. Whether in light or in darkness, in communion or in temptation--we alike need the prayer, "Do not forsake me, O Lord!"
A little child, while learning to walk--always needs the parent's aid. The ship left by the pilot--drifts at once from her course. Just so--we cannot survive without continuous aid from God.

Let it be your prayer today, "Do not forsake me, O Lord! Father, do not forsake Your child--lest he fall by the hand of the enemy. Shepherd, do not forsake Your lamb--lest he wander from the safety of the fold. Great Gardener, do not forsake Your plant--lest it wither and die! Do not forsake me now, O Lord! And do not forsake me at any moment of my life. Do not forsake me in my joys--lest they absorb my heart. Do not forsake me not in my sorrows--lest I murmur against You. Do not forsake me--for my path is dangerous, and full of snares--and I cannot travel without Your guidance. Do not forsake me--for without You I am weak--but with You I am strong. Do not be far from me, O Lord, for trouble is near--and there is none to help. Leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!"

"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:115

K

KingJimmy Apr 9, 2009

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, and thank you very much for your prayers. I really have felt a touch from the Master today.

M

MJones Apr 10, 2009

KingJimmy wrote:
I thought it meant something wonderful was just around the corner,

That's funny in a warped sort of way. I thought the same thing. When I sensed that things were getting ready to tighten up, I was thinking in terms of a month or two. I thought I could handle that without even flinching. It's been 2 years. Though there have been some tough battles, there have also been some sweet victories. Just now beginning to see a turn. It is exactly as He said.

Habakkuk 2:3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not be a second late.