Getting Burned

Getting Burned -

"But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work
each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work
has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive
a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer
great loss." I Corinthians 3:13-15a (NLT)

My business is in a 1900 Victorian home that is beautiful!
Everything seemed normal until one day as we were working someone
came in screaming that the house was on fire. Within a few
minutes three fire engines came roaring down the street. My
business was going up in flames and they could not seem to get a
handle on it. Finally after about three to four hours they got
the fire under control. Little did we know that there was faulty
wiring in the attic.

"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests
the heart." Proverbs 17:3 (NLT)

"For everyone will be tested with fire." Mark 9:49 (NTL)

People showed up to support me in my time of need, telling me how
sorry they were…and that they would do anything they can to
help. Whatever I needed they would be there and they were, at
first. Everyone worked very hard to get my business running and
get me back on my feet. Then the time came to rebuild and a few
people came out to help in the beginning, but as the work became
difficult, all of the ones that were so eager to help lost hope.
Everyone started to say, "You can't rebuild."

Then there was one person that said "Yes, you can rebuild and it
will be better than before. It will take a little time and a lot
of hard work but if you are willing, it can be done."

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you
go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you
walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you." Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

This is the same with marriage; everything seems just fine on the
outside and then suddenly you are taken by surprise. To your
devastation, your beloved has decided to take a walk in the
wilderness. Again, everyone is there until you decided that you
are standing for your marriage. They were all willing to help you
move in a new direction. However, they are unwilling to help you
rebuild. Everyone begins telling you, you're in denial, you need
to move on, you need to date, and find someone else that is
better. You find yourself alone...left to clean up the mess that
the fire has left.

Then there is One, Jesus Christ, who says, "I will rebuild and
restore your marriage, if you will believe. It will be better
than before! Have faith in Me; it will be a lot of hard work but
if you are willing, I can do it."

"But if you pray to God and seek favor of the Almighty and if
you are pure and live with integrity he will surely rise up and
restore your happy home." Job 8:5-6 (NLT)

Christ restored that house back to even better than it was
before. Even the color of paint was the Lord's choice, "Refuge
Blue." God will take care of every little detail if you will
trust Him!

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times
of trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

"In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory
by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little
while, He will restore, support and strengthen you, and He will
place you on a firm foundation." I Peter 5:10 (NLT)

That house is the exact same structure that it was before the
fire, but the inside is completely new. You are the same vessel
on the outside, but He wants you to be completely new on the
inside. Christ can do that if you are willing, with a little
hard work He will do it for you...if you let Him.

God wants your marriages to be completely restored, but more than
anything, He wants "you" to be completely restored. The good
news is that through Jesus Christ you can overcome any obstacle.
When you stand firm and walk boldly with Jesus "all" things are
possible. Trust Him and have faith that your home and the homes
of others will be restored!

"Create in me clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within
me. Do not banish me from your presence and don't take you Holy
Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to
rebels, and they will return to you." Psalm 51:10-13 (NLT)

"By standing firm, you will win your souls." Luke 21:19 (NLT)

God bless,