Refiner's Temple

11/15/2015

The word “defiled” is the Greek word miaini. It means to spill, to spot, or to stain. Here is what Hebrews 12:15 is telling us: If you are inwardly upset with someone and don’t get rid of those raw emotions, it won’t be too long until you open your mouth and begin to verbalize those ugly inward emotions. As Jesus said, “…Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

According to Jesus, what you are full of is exactly what you will talk about! If you’re filled with joy, then joy will come out of your mouth. But if you’re filled with bitterness, anger,disappointment, frustration, or rage, then eventually those attitudes are going to show up in the words you speak! Like a rising river, what is inside you — if not corrected by the Spirit of God — will eventually flood out of the banks of your soul and spill out of your mouth, adversely affecting everyone around you.

11/11/2015

11/11/2015

The New Testament teaching on the subject of forgiveness instructs the believer; first to be reconciled to the brother and then offer, or worship (Matthew 5:23,24). In all cases, also, the offended party must forgive if the offender shall say, "I repent" (Matthew 6:14; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). We have been alienated by our trespasses from God (Ephesians 2:1). It was the Father's good will to reconcile all to Himself through Christ (Colossians 1:20-22). We must be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20,21). This being done, our trespasses shall be forgiven and we shall be justified.

08/12/2015

It Doesn't Hurt to Ask

"Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?... How long? Will You not look away from me, And let me alone till I swallow my saliva?" - Job 3:11 & 7:19

God doesn't mind questions; it's doubt that He hates. For many wearying hours, the three friends of Job - Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar - accused Job of all kinds of evil. They spoke the kind of foolish words that the healthy and ill-informed often speak to those in pain. But Job wanted to take his case to the Lord Himself! Only at the end of the book does God at last break His silence, and although He answers not one of Job's questions, neither does He chastise Job for asking them. God rebukes Job for only one thing: doubting His righteous character.

Leaders must never be afraid to ask hard questions of God, but neither must they demand that He answer. No matter how dark our circumstances may grow, we must resist the temptation to doubt God's holy nature. When we, like Job, through trembling lips confess the awesome majesty of God, we may at last be ready for the awesome blessing of God.

The Maxwell Leadership Bible

07/30/2015

The thief cometh not, but for to steal,and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,and that they might have it more abundantly.
— John 10:1

The thief is the devil so watch out for him!

An expanded interpretive translation
of John 10:10 could read this way:
“The thief wants to get his hands into every good thing in your life. In fact, this pickpocket is looking for any opportunity to wiggle his way so deeply into your personal affairs that he can walk off with everything you hold precious and dear. And that’s not all — when he’s finished stealing all your goods and possessions, he’ll take his plan to rob you blind to the next level. He’ll create conditions and situations so horrible that you’ll see no way to solve the problemexcept to sacrifice everything that remains from his previous attacks. The goal of this thief is to totally waste and devastate your life. If nothing stops him, he’ll leave you insolvent, flat broke, and cleaned out in every area of your life. You’ll end up feeling as if you are finishedand out of business! Make no mistake — the enemy’s ultimate aim is to obliterate you....”

07/29/2015

07/29/2015

Prayers for Your Children

Pray that your child will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Pray that your child will have a healthy fear of the Lord.

Pray that your child will have a heart for the lost.

Pray that your child will love obedience.

Pray that your child will develop godly character.

Pray that your child will love and want to live God's Word.

Pray that your child will recognize God's voice.

Pray that your child will love learning.

Pray that your child has an appetite for truth.

Pray that your child will love the things God loves.

Pray that your child will hate the things that God hates.

Pray that your child has a good work ethic.

Pray that your child will be protected.

Pray that your child will make godly friends.

Pray that your child will find a godly spouse.

Pray that your child will respect authority.

Pray that your child will want to honor God in his or her activities.

Pray that your child will want to glorify God.

Pray that your child will discover, develop, and practice their spiritual gifts.

Pray that your child will love to serve.

Pray that your child will trust the Lord wholeheartedly.

Pray that your child will be bold in sharing truth.

Pray that your child will be compassionate.

Pray that your child will value humility.

Pray that your child will make healthy choices physically.

Pray that your child will have a strong discernment for good and evil.

Pray that your child will have an eternal perspective.

Pray that your child will daily have worship and praise on their lips.

Pray that your child will pray with a listening ear.

Pray that your child will stand firm, even when the only one standing.

Pray that your child will grow and mature in their walk and devotion to Jesus.

06/08/2015

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. (Proverbs 13:3 KJV)

05/26/2015

WAYS TO PUT CHRIST IN YOUR MARRIAGE

1. KEEP YOUR SPOUSE LIFTED UP.

Remember your spouse’s needs and wants, and lift them up in prayer. You know—or should know—your spouse better than anyone else. Your spouse has strengths and weaknesses, but also goals, dreams and daily challenges. Don’t forget the desires of your spouse’s heart when you pray.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
--Matthew 18:20

2. GO TO GOD TOGETHER IN PRAYER.

This is the most powerful tool you have as a couple. Although it’s important that you each have private time with God—praying for your spouse, marriage, family, etc. —there’s a unifying effect when husband and wife join in their petitions. It brings a calm to situations and reminds you Who’s in control, even if the two of you are on different sides of an issue. In addition to your personal prayer life, be sure to pray together regularly.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
--2 Timothy 2:15

3. STUDY GOD’S WORD TOGETHER.

The bonds of your relationship with God and each other are strengthened when you read God’s Word together. Reading the Bible has a way of centering couples on who they were called to be. We can’t use God’s Word as a resource if we don’t know it, particularly as it relates to marriage. And even if you know the Word, there’s always more to learn and glean. Dedicate a regular time to “see what sayeth the Lord.”

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
--Hebrews 4:12

4. ALLOW GOD TO BE THE EQUALIZER.

Sooner or later, couples reach an impasse about something big—or small. And if we’re not careful in how we resolve the “small” things, they can add up and evolve into major issues. No matter the scope or subject when you disagree, let God be the source to equalize any problem. You can’t go wrong using God’s Word as the final say, which keeps you in the right perspective.

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
--Ezra 8:23

5. FAST TOGETHER.

Fasting is an act of discipline that shifts your focus from the physical to the spiritual. It’s a demonstration of faith and sacrifice that helps bring clarity to whatever you’re dealing with, while also taking your mind off yourself. Do this together and strengthen the spiritual bond.

Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.
--Genesis 35:3

6. CREATE AN ALTER IN YOUR HOME.

It’s beneficial to have a place set aside specifically for entering God’s presence, a place that’s reserved for you and God. It doesn’t have to be a room with a physical altar; it can be any area or space that you designate for regular communion. Pick a place and dedicate it as your altar, where you can come alone and as a couple to pray, meditate and commune with God.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
--Romans 14:13

7. JUDGE NOT EACH OTHER’S SALVATION.

You may know your spouse well but you don’t know how he or she relates and communicates with God. Each person’s relationship with God is intimate and personal. Sometimes one’s upbringing includes traditions and rituals that might be in opposition to another’s practices. But we each have a unique and special connection with our heavenly Father and it’s not our place to judge others’ relationship.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
--Ephesians 6:13-17

8. COMMIT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR MARRIAGE.

Many couples give up at the first major crisis, when a tragedy occurs or troubles continue to mount. It might seem easier to throw in the towel and move on, try to start over without your spouse. The pain, disappointment and challenge of trying to keep a marriage together are overwhelming. But it’s worthwhile. The enemy desires marriages to fail. God’s Word tells us to fight against the enemy’s schemes.

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
--Proverbs 3:13-15

05/15/2015

Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. (Leviticus 19:19 KJV)

What God was warning His Children about was mixing and mingling those Godly things with ungodly things. Mix not righteousness with unrighteousness! Because those things will defile us.

05/15/2015

Our prayer for all of you today is that the fruit of salvation with yield beautiful trees of righteousness

05/06/2015

We invite you to join us for the Refiner's Temple's Life Lessons (Bible Study) today & every Wednesday at 7:00PM.

Dial-in number:
(712) 432-0385

Access Code: 975-865 #

Hope to have you on the line to be blessed by God