"Remove the dross from the silver and out comes the material for the silversmith." (V4)
This verse symbolizes a christian. The old is gone, the new is here... you become a new creation.
When silver is heated, the scum is drawn out and comes to the surface. Likewise God tests us and searches our hearts for the bad scum that holds us back from what he wants for us. That scum that used to have such a hold on us needs to go!
He purifies us and sanctifies us, so that we can be something beautiful for him.
"Do not exalt yourself in the King's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here" than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman." (V7)
This is talking about pride. Do not let your own selfish thoughts lead you to think higher of yourself than others.
Do not ask for praise and thanks, do not expect it.
Live humbly and put others before yourself.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." (V11)
Words DO matter and as we talked about before, they come from what's inside our heart. We need to be focusing on what we are saying and how we are saying it. We need to think about what we are saying in certain situations, what we are saying about someone, what we say when we stub our toe (when nobody is looking). They all matter!
Are they pleasing God? Do they reflect his truthfulness and purity?
"If you find honey, eat just enough- too much of it, and you will vomit." (V16)
Gluttony! It's bad news and is a sin.
God wants us to protect our bodies, not abuse them.
How many diseases and conditions do you know of that are caused by a bad diet and over eating? A LOT!
Learn self control and patience... take only what you need and refuse the rest!
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." (V21)
This verse is incredibly hard for me sometimes. It can be so hard to just let go of things!
Joyce Meyer is a huge inspiration of mine and I just love what she has to say,
"Patience is not simply the ability to wait- it's how we behave while we're waiting."
Letting go of the grudges we are holding against our enemies and not only leaving it there but actually pushing ourselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus when they need us with the right attitude is what will bring us true peace. That peace that you will need while you learn to love continuously and selflessly until God deals with them. It's not our battle to fight! Our job is to love our enemy, be kind to our enemy and to do so with a gentle spirit that is willing.
Bethany Joy
This verse symbolizes a christian. The old is gone, the new is here... you become a new creation.
When silver is heated, the scum is drawn out and comes to the surface. Likewise God tests us and searches our hearts for the bad scum that holds us back from what he wants for us. That scum that used to have such a hold on us needs to go!
He purifies us and sanctifies us, so that we can be something beautiful for him.
"Do not exalt yourself in the King's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here" than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman." (V7)
This is talking about pride. Do not let your own selfish thoughts lead you to think higher of yourself than others.
Do not ask for praise and thanks, do not expect it.
Live humbly and put others before yourself.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." (V11)
Words DO matter and as we talked about before, they come from what's inside our heart. We need to be focusing on what we are saying and how we are saying it. We need to think about what we are saying in certain situations, what we are saying about someone, what we say when we stub our toe (when nobody is looking). They all matter!
Are they pleasing God? Do they reflect his truthfulness and purity?
"If you find honey, eat just enough- too much of it, and you will vomit." (V16)
Gluttony! It's bad news and is a sin.
God wants us to protect our bodies, not abuse them.
How many diseases and conditions do you know of that are caused by a bad diet and over eating? A LOT!
Learn self control and patience... take only what you need and refuse the rest!
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." (V21)
This verse is incredibly hard for me sometimes. It can be so hard to just let go of things!
Joyce Meyer is a huge inspiration of mine and I just love what she has to say,
"Patience is not simply the ability to wait- it's how we behave while we're waiting."
Letting go of the grudges we are holding against our enemies and not only leaving it there but actually pushing ourselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus when they need us with the right attitude is what will bring us true peace. That peace that you will need while you learn to love continuously and selflessly until God deals with them. It's not our battle to fight! Our job is to love our enemy, be kind to our enemy and to do so with a gentle spirit that is willing.
Bethany Joy