Author: Travail and Transform Ministry

Dr. Jean Stepter-Gray, in March 2003, she heard a Word from God, saying it’s time to elevate! She prayed with exuberance to God to be a woman of faith, who would inspire others to be great, she says, “If she had known that this journey would have taken her through so many seasons, she would have packed lighter! But thanks be unto God, for He is answering her prayers, one season at a time. (Smiling) Jean serves as Minister, Mentor, Speaker, Teacher, Chaplain Licensed and Board-Certified /Therapist Christian Counselor and has experienced so much of God’s love, mercy, grace, and favor; and she wants to share it with anyone who truly desires it. Her goal is to ignite in women and men a passion for the Word of God so that they can see the beauty of Jesus Christ, so that they may have a personal relationship with Him. She believes that it is through personal interactions with God and His Word that we will grow. Jean believes that God gave her gifts to share with others for His Glory. She uses her natural gift as a communicator and practical teaching style to serve others. She says that her grandmother use to tell her, “The people around you reap the benefits of you serving God”, which means that you won’t go to God in any old way, you go to Him correctly! Jean’s ultimate desire is to help one somebody know that it does not matter the path that it took you to get here, but it is the journey that God is using to get you to your next destination! Let’s embrace our new journey of being Transformed at the Well and drinking from wells that we did not dig! To God be the Glory!

Good Morning Sunshine! There Is No Place Like Home!

Philippians 1:21-26 NKJV ~ “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. [24] Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. [25] And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, [26] that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”

Have you ever been on a trip, and it didn’t matter how nice it was or how good the bed felt, you missed home! It’s like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s No Place Like Home!” There is no place like home! I believe that the older we get the more we become homebodies! I know that you like things a certain way and you can only take the difference for a little while because even though the place is nose, it’s not quite like home!

But do you know that as a believer there is a future home just for you, it’s called Heaven! And even though you have never been to heaven, you still are looking forward to the best home that you will ever have! God has built this desire on the inside of you! Have you ever experienced a moment when everything seemed perfect, as if it came straight out of a movie scene? Maybe it was a sunset, or a night where the moon looked like you could reach up and touch it or it was a perfect night with your someone special and even as great as this is, you might say that you want your whole life to be just like this!

In these places you have had a glimpse of eternity of what’s to come, it’s like you tasted something so good that you can’t wait to have it again. It was just that perfect and flawless. And your home no matter how wonderful doesn’t even come close to what God has prepared for you! But there is one thing, you can’t experience it here on this side earth and until God calls you home, you have work to do here now! Don’t lose sight of what’s important right now! I love the way the Paul put pen to paper and said, “I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.”

To live for Jesus Christ is the best, it was the source and secret of Paul’s continual joy and the meaning of his life.  Paul felt good either way, to die was to be with Jesus and to remain in your body is good. While the mysteries of this still remain, this clearly teaches you that when you the believer die, you know that you are with Jesus Christ.

It’s necessary for you to remain here, you have to learn the needs of those that you minister to ahead of your own personal preference. You must remain in the faith! As a Christian your life is one of joyfulness and growth. And just know that you have a home on the other side and it’s everything else and more; and when Jesus Christ is at the forefront of your life, you can live a life that is full and that is beyond the grave, and yes there is something better: that wonderful place called Heaven, but God has work for you to do here on earth!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Create in me a clean heart and renew Your right Spirit within me! Father thank You for preparing a place for me to live and a plan for me to follow. Father I know it would be better for me to be with You, but I understand that right now, the best place that You want me to be is here on earth, sharing the Gospel with those who don’t know You and the pardon for their sins. Father help me to preach and teach sound doctrine that is straight from the truth of You! Father send someone cross my path today that needs to hear a Word from You and then give me exactly what You want to be said! Father, thank You for the life I have, I am giving my all to You and for You and Your Glory. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! You Have Been Redeemed!

Isaiah 43:1 ~ “But now this is what the LORD says,– he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.”

Do you like automation calls, you have to select 3 to 4 numbers before you get a recording that tells you to leave a message and someone will call you back within 24 hours, you never get a live person, just the recording. We must wait, wait for our turn.  But “Thanks be unto God”, God is not like people, He’s never too busy for you. Our Sovereign God who runs the whole universe, is ready for you to come into His presence, He’s never too busy! You will never see a sign that says take a number, be seated and wait for your turn.” As a matter of fact, He is wondering what took you so long to come, He’s being waiting for you.

As I reflect and remember what God did for me, I’m brought back to what He gave that I might be redeemed! Thank You God! You didn’t have to do it, but because You loved me You gave the ultimate sacrifice that I might live, (John 3:16!) Jesus, You went through so much turmoil right before You said yes, and I know that You had to say yes, to the very purpose you were put on this earth to do! Today I want to encourage you today, to be like Jesus and don’t allow the fear or turmoil of what you have to go through keep you from the very purpose you were created to do! 

Let the Word of the Lord soak into your mind, heart and spirit that you are His. God created you, formed you, redeemed you, saved you, covers you, delivers you, keeps you, sustains you, protects you, heals you, provides for you, calls you by name and kindles His spirit within you. God has you on every side, and you are His and don’t forget it! There is great news, God says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you sweet rest.”

This is your personal invitation from God. Can you hear him calling your name? Answer the call! Now that you know Him for yourself, give someone else the gift of getting to know your Jesus and how to become a part of His family! After all God is the Creator of all things and all people! He created and He loves everyone, the thing is you have to choose Him for yourself, nobody can do that for you, you have to want to be a part of His family and the only way you can do this is by believing in the Son that God  sent here wrapped in flesh that He might die for you because of love and for you to become a part of His family. Romans 10:9-10!

Today, I can’t think of a better reason to give Him your attention and worship. Today, trust Jesus as Your Lord and Savior and share your testimony with someone else. What better time than today, to share your story about Hou much you love and trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! This weekend remember that you have been redeemed on purpose and it’s for His Glory and your good. The story that you will write today is for Him! Say yes to the mission; Trust the process and see what God does in your life! You have been redeemed on purpose! Don’t lose sight of the mission that you are to accomplish! Let Jesus be your inspiration, Jesus never lost sight of the yes, He gave His Father! Not My will, but Your will be done!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Jesus! Father Thank You for redeeming me! Jesus, today I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I confess my sin, and I believe that You are God, my Savior, and You said that You would forgive me of my sins and that I will become a new creation. You said that You created my life for a purpose and that You would show me how to walk in it as I put my trust in You. Jesus, You promised me that if I believed in You, would You accept me into Your eternal home in heaven one day as a part of your family.  Jesus, I am so grateful for Your love and for Your sacrifice.  I want to be used by You for the rest of my life and I choose to serve You. Father, thank You for accepting me into Your family. In Jesus Christ Name, I pray. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning  Sunshine! It’s Praying Time!

1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4 KJV~ “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Today, I’m offering up prayer on your behalf, and I want you to do the same thing for someone else. God has equipped you to be a prayer warrior, we need to pray for one another as our Father has taught us! And let’s not offer a selfish prayer with you in mind, but pray that all would come to know Jesus Christ, repent, turn from their wicked ways, surrender to Him, and seek His face daily!

Father, today, I come to You right now on behalf of every one that will see, hear and pray this prayer. First, I repent of all my sins, and I ask You to forgive me, so that the prayer that I’m praying right now will not be hindered but will smell like a sweet incense unto You. Father, I lift up my brothers and sisters to You, fill them with Your Holy Spirit, that they may be refresh in there, spirit, soul and body.  Father, You are their Rock, they can take refuge in You! You are their shield and the horn of their salvation. Father, thank You for being their stronghold, and Savior!

Father, guide them along the right paths for Your Name’s sake. I pray that when they walk through the darkest valley, they will fear no evil, for You are with them; Your rod and Your staff will uplift, comfort and bless them, In Jesus Christ Name! Father, You know about every one of their needs and I thank You, that You are meeting them according to Your will and plan for their lives. Bless them with wisdom, peace, good health, finances, direction, strength, love and all the things that they are in need of in this present moment!

Father, give them a heart to forgive, heal all broken relationships, problems in their homes and families, issues on their jobs and in their ministries. Give them revelation that can only come from You! May they hear Your voice, like never before and follow it with all their hearts. Restore the joy of their salvation to those who are laboring, Father, may the joy of the Lord flood over them and help them to serve You with a newness of heart and spirit. Father, I pray that they are not anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let them present their requests to You.

Father, I declare peace and joy in the hearts of Your people! I proclaim that You will bless Your children and will keep them; You will make Your face to shine upon them and be gracious to them! I pray against all the plans of the enemy that would try to steal their joy and peace from You! Father, I’m praying for them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! In Jesus Christ Mighty Name. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! It’s Time For You To Open Your Mouth And Pray! 

Luke 19:40-44 AMP ~ “Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!” [41] As He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it [and the spiritual ignorance of its people], [42] saying, “If [only] you had known on this day [of salvation], even you, the things which make for peace [and on which peace depends]! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. [43] For a time [of siege] is coming when your enemies will put up a barricade [with pointed stakes] against you and surround you [with armies] and hem you in on every side, [44] and they will level you to the ground, you [Jerusalem] and your children within you. They will not leave in you one stone on another, all because you did not [come progressively to] recognize [from observation and personal experience] the time of your visitation [when God was gracious toward you and offered you salvation].”

Sometimes what God has done for you is so completely praiseworthy, but you fail to notice it, and you miss out on the perfect opportunity to praise and worship the Lord. But today, you will cry out to God in praise so that the rocks don’t cry out on your behalf.

You are so much like the children of old, you have not been truly discerning the seasons that you are in, you have eyes, but you don’t see, you have ears, but you don’t hear, and you have a heart, but you have not recognized that Jesus Christ is coming! Because if you had we would be more mindful of our prayer life! You have failed to discern the day of His visitation! The distraction of this world today is designed to pull you away from God, it uses people, places, and things that are pleasing to your eye gates to draw you into sin, making you desire less of God and more of the world, it has blurred your vision, and this makes it hard for you to see and hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

This scripture is also a reminder that you need to have discernment and discipline to pray like you never have before, so that you do not miss the time of your visitation from God! God is moving upon your land in a distinctive way, and it’s time to rebuild your prayer life, for when destruction hits you will know how and what to pray and you will be prepared for when Jesus comes! I know that you hear so much about things being new in ministry, new this and new that, but what have you heard about prayer? When will prayer be the main focus and not the newest person or pastor that has emerged! All of this sounds good, but it doesn’t sound like Prayer! It’s Time To Pray! Now I’m not saying that you are not praying but what I’m saying is I’m not seeing the urgency of prayer, prayer that is breaking chains and strongholds and seeing signs, wonders and miracles! There needs to be a Sense of Urgency in Prayer and for Prayer! 

It is time to gird up your loins and make haste to Pray, in this hour you need to be close to God and you must be disciplined and deliberate, so that you are not drawn away from God because of the environment that you live in that does everything to keep you distracted and distant from Him! It’s time for your spiritual discernment to rise, for you need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and walk in the coming Revival that is about to take place! In order to do this, you must be about the Word of God and be sons and daughters of prayer! You must be able to discern the times and seasons when God will come back to visit His children, for He is coming back! 

God is calling you to His holy house, to be in prayer and in fellowship with Him. It’s time to gather together with other prayer warriors and be on one accord and pray.  As you enter, you will be ushered into prayer with God. You do know that prayer is the pulse and heartbeat of every humble servant of God! It’s Praying Time! It’s time for you to open up your mouth and pray and worship God so that the rocks don’t do it on your behalf. So, today, stop, drop and pray! 

Let’s Pray:

Father, Thank You! Father, teach me to pray and that I will pray according to Your Will. Father, I pray for greater discipline and discernment that I recognize the times and seasons that I’m living in and that I will know how to pray and what to pray for! Father, I desire more of You and Your Word, fill me with Your Presence and Your Spirit! Father, please remove the scales from my eyes, touch my heart so that I may understand, and quicken my ears to hear You, so that I won’t miss Your Second Coming, because I’m so wrapped up in what I want! Father, I pray that I will pray with a sense of urgency in my prayer life, to pray that chains and strongholds are being broken off of our lives and that we encounter Your signs, wonders and miracles in Prayer as I pray. In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen and Thank You Jesus! 

Blessings…

Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Where Is Your Light?

Psalm 119:105 KJV ~ “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

As I sat in the dark when my natural power was off, I started thinking about my spiritual light and just what do I see. God said that His Word is a lamp unto my feet and this will light my path. You have to stay in the Word in order to be connected to the light! I did this devotional in February 2023, but I believe we all need to see it again!

A lamp and a light! Have you ever used a lamp to see light when you were walking?

What do you see? Do you have Hindsight, Eyesight, Foresight, and Insight? Where is your light?

Let’s look at each one so that you will know what they mean. Hindsight is the ability to see what has come before. Eyesight is your ability to see. Foresight is the ability to see what is coming ahead. Insight is discernment, it is the ability to see beyond what is on the surface and it works best when your spirit is at rest, and when you are quiet.

Nobody knows what will happen in the next minute, but we serve a Faithful Father, who knows everything! I love how Charles Swindoll says it, “How comforting it is to know that God sees the events of our lives ahead of time.” God has hindsight, eyesight, foresight and insight where you are concerned, nothing gets pass Him, before Him, around Him or over Him, He’s on top of it all! Surrender to Him, let Him have control, you won’t be sorry that you followed Him! 

In every place you go today you will need the Word of God to help you see. Hindsight to help you remember what God has shown you before! Eyesight for you to see where you are right now! Foresight, that you may see where God is taking you! Insight to help you discern what is natural and what is spiritual!

Because some places you go you may need a flashlight to help you see, but when you go with the Word of God, He will make every dark step light and you will stay on the path! You see God’s Word is the corrector of right and wrong steps and paths, and when you step in step with His Word, the more clearly you can discern and choose the path that He wants you to take. God’s Word is the light to the flash that you need to take with you everywhere that your feet will go, for it is the lamp for your path! Trust the Light of Jesus Christ to get you where you are supposed to be today!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Father, I accept Your Light today! Today, I praise and worship You because You are my Light, You are my keeper and sustainer! Father, give me eyesight, hindsight, foresight and insight today, that I may see and discern all that You have planned for me in this moment and time! Father, Thank You for being the Light of my life and showing me where to step and what to avoid! Thank You for giving me light to see where I am going today and for keeping me surrounded in and by Your Light, for everything in me and my life is for Your Glory. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Be Wise Today!

Proverbs 4:7 KJV ~ “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Out of all the all things that you can get today, what do you want? Would you like to have the “Principal Thing”? What is the Principal Thing? It’s Wisdom and Understanding!

Get Wisdom! Get Wisdom! Get you some Understanding with your Wisdom!

Today in your asking make sure you get wisdom and with your wisdom get understanding! This will give you insight into what you need to do and say as you flow through your day. And you can only get Wisdom from God!

Whatever you do today, you need Wisdom. Wherever you go today you need Wisdom and Understanding! You need this in your home, on your job, in your marriage, in your relationships, in your finances, in your going out and coming in, in every conversation you have, you need wisdom and with that, please get you a good understanding, that’s the wise place to start!

You need wisdom as you think about our day, you need wisdom when it comes to making decisions. You need wisdom to protect yourself and understanding to lead you. The Word of God says that this is what you need, you need to keep wisdom close and embrace it and it will exalt you! Wisdom from God will keep you walking close to Him and keep you moving in His ways.

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! God, please guard me today from making decisions outside of Your Will, please give me Your wisdom today and with Your wisdom a good understanding, in Jesus Christ Mighty Name, I ask this in total confidence in You. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! You Are Being Kept By The Word Of God!

Psalm 119:67 AMP ~ “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience].”

Hello there, yes, I speaking to you, you are the one reading this devotion, God is trying to get your attention today! Your Father is talking to you! He says He is the Great I Am, He has proven Himself time and time again in your life, He’s the One that had that great thought about you before He put you in your mother’s womb, and He’s been watching over you ever since then, God has never left you, not even for one second! This should make you joyful!

I sometimes you may think that there is one thing after another going on in your life, but nothing has been wasted, God used every affliction to draw you to Him, to His Word, to His place of prayer, the place where you meet with Him! God used everything to get you to where you are today, front and center with Him!

God loves you and He doesn’t want you to go through one more crisis wavering back and forward. God wants you to be sure of your secure foundation which is founded on the truth of His Holy Word, if God didn’t love you, He would not have chosen to die on the cross for you, now that’s an attention getter, just think about it, no one else would have made this type of sacrifice, unless it was truly love, a divine love! God wants what is best for you and this is why He corrects and disciplines you when you dishonor His name, it’s all for your good and His Glory!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Father today I will be intentional and persistent in my prayer walk with You. Father, I will seek Your direction in every area! Father, I love talking and being with You and I know that You love when I’m loving on You. Thank You Father for being ready and willing to answer my honest and unselfish prayer request, for Your Glory! In Jesus Christ Name! Amen!!!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! God Will See You Through The Waters!

Isaiah 43:2 ~ “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Have you ever asked God why He allowed you to endure this uncomfortable fire for so long?  It’s called “The Process of Refining” it gets rid of everything that’s not like God, and it puts in you everything that you need to discover who you are in Jesus Christ! Remember this one thing, the refining fire is for your refinement and not for your destruction! It makes you stronger and better!

Life in the fire refines you and covers you with God’s love! There are two purposes for the refiner’s fire for the believer’s life:
1) It is God refining you through the pain of test and trials that come into your life.
2) It is God conforming and transforming your character as you move through it!
The pain that you are experiencing in your life right now is not intended to destroy you but, to conform you into the image and likeness of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Stop running away from the flames of fire, instead run into the fire!

It’s your flesh and your sin that is purified in fire.  I know it’s a painful process, it hurts to be in the fire, you feel crushed, but this is where God is purging and purifying all the broken places in you, so that you are ready to be molded back together in His image and for His Glory!

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will either drown or grow stronger as you learn to keep your head above the water. If you try to make it in your own strength, you will drown, but if you invite the God to go with you, He will be in the river with you and teach you how to navigate the treacherous waters.

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father!  Father, I come to You today and I ask You to purify my life and take out everything that is hindering my walk with You to be straight! Father, give me strength to walk a life of refining through You and for You. Increase my faith and trust as You Walk alongside me.  Father, refine every part of me and bring me closer to You as You take out every impurity in my life and give me a victorious testimony of how Your Grace and Mercy changed and rearrange me and made me into what You desired from the beginning. In Jesus Christ Mighty Name. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! The Words Of The LORD Are Flawless!

Psalm 12:6 NIV ~ “And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”

The Word of the Lord is Pure and Flawless! It has been tried and purified! And God has refined you in His Word, seven times, (the number 7 means complete)! So now that the Word is in you, you have the perfect fire (conversation piece) starter! Today, open your mouth and tell somebody about what the Lord has done for you through His Presence, Power and Word and see whose listening!

Do you remember this slogan, “When E. F. Hutton speaks everyone listens!” Everyone loved to hear him speak, they were not only interested in what he had to say, but they did what he said, and they lived by it, it was the truth, and nothing but the truth!  He was about making money and the people trusted every word that came out of his mouth! (You do know that man can lie, don’t you?) So, why can’t we hang on to every Word that God say’s like this?

Just tell the truth! Sincerity and truth are priceless because they are so rare today. So many people are liars, flatterers and deceivers. People think that they are getting what they want by trying to deceive others. King David faced his share of people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery, but they did not win! When you feel as though sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, you have one hope and that is the Word of God! God’s Word is as pure and flawless as refined silver. So, listen carefully when He speaks to you through His Word!

His Word will always be greater than man’s! People can and will lie to you, but God’s Word is always true and perfect! His Word is like purified silver and refined gold, and it is to be sought after and treasured more than anything else! Every day you need to take time to study God’s Word, this pleases Him, and it keeps His Fire burning on the inside of you! There is real value in you knowing God’s Word for yourself!

Don’t limit your getting closer to God by reading a devotional or two, take time to get to know His Nature and His Character, it’s found in the pages of your Bible! Don’t just say this is your favorite book and you never pick it up. So, many of us have a Bible in every room in our home, it’s in the car and at work, but do you read and study the Word like you are supposed to or is it just for decoration and collecting dust?

God’s Word needs to be sought after to keep the fire burning, just like you seek out silver and gold, God wants you to desire Him even the more! It’s in His Word that you are being prepared for eternity, you do want to go to heaven, right? Stop seeking after material things that can only bring you temporary joy and seek after the Word of God, this will bring you eternal joy and life, because you can never get enough of God’s Pure Word in your life!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Today, I surrender my mouth, mind, heart and body to You, I want to have an encounter with You! Father, I Thank You for Your Pure Refined Word! Father, I pray today that me and all of Your children will have a hunger and thirst to know Your Word like never before. Father, I thank You that Your Word is the revealer of all secrets and truth and that You will give me wisdom and understanding as I seek after You early in the morning, meditating at noon and listening to You in the evening! Father, thank You for the fire of the Holy Ghost that burns within me to keep me on my task as You use me for Your purpose! Let every word that comes out of my mouth be full of Your fire and impact all who hears it, including me! I want to be changed by the Fire and Power of Your Word for such a time as this, let me never be the same, after I have been refined by Your Firing Process and by Your Pure Word. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! You Are Being Refined On Purpose!

Malachi 3:3 ERV ~ “He will make the Levites clean. He will make them pure, like silver is made pure with fire! He will make them pure like gold and silver. Then they will bring gifts to the LORD, and they will do things the right way.”

As I was reading the devotional from yesterday, I thought about today’s scripture, and I came across this story. It’s not mine, and the author is unknown, but they clearly understood what God was saying! And if you have an ear to hear Him, listen up!

Today, can you see yourself as being Refined by God’s Fire? This is one devotional that I would keep as a constant reminder of the process that you will go through as you desire to get closer and go deeper in your relationship with God!

Here’s the story, “There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi in the Old Testament.  As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women, and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. 

So 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 the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to go watch him at work.  She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process and how sliver is refined.  

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 as to burn away all the impurities. (Do you feel the need heat?) The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot – then she thought again about the verse, that He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.  (You are not alone in the process, God is with you!) God is sitting right before you as He refines and purifies you. This is for your good and for His Glory!

The process of refining metals, requires raw metal (you and me before we met God) that is heated with fire until the metal melts. All the impurities get separated from the liquid metal and it rises to the surface. Then the impurities are skimmed off, leaving the pure metal. Without this heating and melting process there would be no purifying! Once this happens the reflection of the silversmith shows clearly in the surface.

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 ‘Yes’ and explained that 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.  If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged. (Don’t worry, God has His eyes on you and He won’t let anything happen to you!)

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 easy.  When I see my image clearly in it.’ (You will look just like your Father after the Refining Process, check out your reflection!)

As you are being purified by God? You will know this by His reflection in you as your life will become more and more clearer to those around you who you belong too. I need to make one thing clear, the purifying process can be painful, but God said that leaders (here the Levites) should be especially open to His purification process in their lives, this includes you! You are being refined for service!

Today, if you are feeling the heat of fire burning you, it’s God, and you need to ask yourself these two questions, “are you open to enduring God’s refining process?” Or do you want to continue doing things your way? Just know that it is your Father, He is burning everything off you that you don’t need and don’t worry He has His eyes on you while He’s refining you for His purpose!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Father, thank You for cleaning me and removing all impurities from my life. Father God, help me find comfort in knowing that in every circumstance that I go through, that Your eyes are on me! Father may my heart be open to Your refining, that I might Glorify You and reflect Your image more fully in every way, every day.  Father, purify my heart that I may love like You so that Your Presence and Purpose will shine brightly through me for others to see You clearly in me! In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Minister Jean