Refiner and Purifier of Silver

There was a group of women, at a Bible study on the book of Malachi.
As they were studying chapter three, they came across the verse that says,
“He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
Malachi 3:3a

This verse puzzled the women, and they wondered what this 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 silversmith 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 silversmith, 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’
through certain circumstances in our lives.
Then she thought again about the verse,
that He sits as a refiner, and purifier of silver.

She asked the silversmith 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.
For 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 silversmith,
“how do you know when the silver is fully refined?”
He smiled at her and answered,
“Oh, that’s the easy part —
it’s when I see my image reflected in it.”



It’s rarely pleasant when God is working all those
impurities out of our lives,
But so comforting to know that He faithfully
carries us through it, and will never leave us!
Once we’ve come through that refining, purifying fire
we’ll know that His will has been done in our lives
when we reflect the true image of His Son!

If today you are feeling the heat of that refining fire,
remember, you are never, ever alone!
God has His eye on you, and will keep His hand on you,
and watch over you until He sees His reflection….
…..His image in you! 

“Being confident of this very thing,
that he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:3 {KJV}

….and very windy…but I love it!!

Hope you’re all doing well —
some, I know, in the snow and ice,
and others, like me,
still waiting patiently to build my annual snowman!
Well, I can’t wait any longer!! 

So I found a web site where I can do just that! 
Yep, build yourself a snowman in the warmth of your own home!
No gettin’ cold noses here!
So, for those of us who are snow deprived,
give it a try at this site!!

http://www.freewebtown.com/stumbeline/BuildSnowman/buildasnowman.html



Have a great weekend!
I’m at an antique/craft show Saturday, and Sunday,
but then a break, and I’ll be back!!
I’m going to buy a new camera…nothing too expensive,
but one that takes good quality pictures…any suggestions???
Hugs & love to all!!
~ Deborah   <><