Christian Living

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The Refining Process

by Bayo Omoyiola, Jr


For meditation: James 1:2-4,12, 1 Cor 3:10-13, Heb 12:2-11, 1 Peter 4:12-13, 1 Peter 5:10

I went through the batterings.
I went through the sufferings.
I was wounded many times;
Oppressed times without number.
Yet I live and I am fine.

I endured the hardship.
I endured the batterings.
I endured the sufferings.
I went through them all that I may be refined.

The poem above and the scriptures capture the heart of this message. As Christians following Christ, we would surely face many problems but we would surely overcome. Some Christians never came out of their problems, they died in the process but they would surely be rewarded some day. When you suffer, count it all joy. Some problems make us better individuals. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Joseph suffered but later entered into his glory. Christ also suffered and is now enthroned as Lord of Lords, so when you suffer, know that you are being refined and being prepared for the greater glory that is to come.

The Chastening Process

For whom the Lord loves, he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives... Heb.12: 6 - 11. (Ref.- Heb.13:12, James 1: 2-3,12)


I sense in my Spirit that a lot of Christians today have to go through the chastening process. They ought to go through this process so that they can be matured. The Lord doesn't chasten babies. Lots of Christians are still babies. They don`t want rebukes. For as long as you don`t love it and don`t want it, you will forever remain a baby christian but if you`ll decide to take the chastening of the Lord today, you`ll begin to grow in the Spirit. The Lord is chastening his sons. He is saying that they should come out of the bad habits and come into light. Your works will be tried but count it all joy when you face divers temptations and trials. Many of us are going through the chastening presently and God is busy maturing us through this process of transformation.

Prophecy:

Thus saith the Lord:

I only want to refine and reform you (when you pass through trials). Its only because I want you to be better. I want to reform you so that you can be better. I only chastise them that are matured. I don't chasten babes. If you`ll grow unto a stage of maturity then you got to take my chastisement. Take it for your refining. If you will pass through, you will come out a better person than you have been.

Take the rebuke. Take the chastening. It is only for the present time. I will make you better so you can forget about the sorrows of this time. Endure the chastening. Endure the hardship as a soldier for a brighter glory lies ahead of you.
Just look at Jesus. How he was tried at the cross. He received beating from merciless soldiers. They scourged him (ripped off his skin) and in pain he labored to bring forth your salvation.

I have planned your salvation well but you have to endure - for a crown of glory awaits you in heaven. I plan to perfect all things but the journey to perfection starts from the cross. The cross signifies death. There are many Christians today who are not selfish. They are selfless. Its because they have gone through my death. The suffering process have killed the 'self' in them. They were purified. They were tried and they were made better.

The pure man would always see me in all things. See me in your trials. Even in your darkest hour I would be with you. In tribulation, in trials, in lack and want, I would always support you. Go through the trials of the flesh. Do not oppose them. They would work out patience in you. Let patience have her perfect course. (James 1: 3-4).

To a minister God says :

I have planned to wait for you till you come forth so that I can use you in meetings of the end-time. I want you to be a soldier of the Lord - full of vigor (strength) and power. Full of the Spirit of God.

And to his maturing sons, God says :

Come to maturity, my sons. I am raising you up. I am raising the standard. You must not compromise. They that are feeble shall become strengthened. They shall be as David and the house of the Lord shall be as God.
Be diligent to plan; for out of planning, you will achieve much. Be prepared for every course you take. With diligence you shall excel.

To those struggling with the flesh God says:

Work out your salvation with trembling. Be afflicted and mourn. Weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy into heaviness. For with sorrow your heart will be made better (godly sorrow works repentance).

These are the days of judgment. I am judging Mount Zion. The mount shall be cleansed. I am raising a standard. I am building my house in purity. I am setting the standards. I am reforming my people. My people shall be cleansed of their idolatry. In their hearts, there are many idols. They are vivacious about the things of the world but I am changing all that. I want them to be conscious of my Spirit. I want their flesh deadened. I want them to be cleansed and purified. I am putting my house in order. I would do what I would do and my house would be a better place.

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