Monday, August 29, 2011

Chess game with the Devil

Everyone has their weakness in life, and the main person that knows that weakness is the Devil and he will try to expose that weakness. 1 Peter 5:8-10 says

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same suffering are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

Now when I say Life is a Chess game with the devil, I mean he sometimes use people as pawns in your life. When your defense is down he moves these pieces across the board and close to you, he then disguises these people into whatever he wants. Most the times these people carry a trait that is attached to one of your weaknesses in life, and these people start to prey on that weakness. Sometimes it might leave you in a state where you are not even aware of whats happening to you, and like a lion when its done with its prey, he leaves you for dead. God will attempt to save you, but you have to be able to acknowledge him, meaning you have to recognized what has happened. Some people do not even realize that the Devil has just feasted on them and they actually feel that God has punished them.

I have been in that state in my life, and it funny God brought back some people in my life to help me remember the place I was, before this pawn enter my life. Life a Chess game, they are always other pieces on the board that can help you defeat another piece.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The reason I stop updating this site is because I believe for a person to truly find God, they just need to see the words, and allow God to breath life into them, I do have my Twitter account which I provide verse with no explanation @ILLs_Journey.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Recognizing the Sabbath and knowing the rightful day of Worship

To start this, it only right to start in Genesis 1:1-2, which reads,

"In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth. The Earth was with out form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

Now, What we do on an everyday basic, would you say is easier or harder then what God was about to accomplish, easier right? The other thing I want to go into is understanding what a day is. To man we run and operate off time. In our minds, the way we are programed, midnight carries us over into a new day. Lets read Genesis 1:3-5,

"The God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day."

Take a close look at what that verse is saying, Days are divided by sundown to sundown. Not 12 o clock to 12 o clock. Now one might say, what about day light saving? Did God create time, No, he said Evening and the morning were the first day. Now the next question you might ask is, what does this have to do with the Sabbath. On the day of the sabbath it begins sundown of Friday night and ends sundown of Saturday night. Wait! How do we know that it is Saturday that is the Sabbath? lets look at Genesis 1:31,

"Then God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good, So the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

Later on I will explain how days actually got their names. But lets look at this verse, it clearly states that God finish all his work on the sixth day. The same thing he wants us to do, work 6 days, now lets see what God did on the seventh day. Genesis 2:1-3 reads,

"Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which he had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all his work which God had created and made."

This day God created for worshiping, he had already created the world in the previous 6 days. But he created one day for worshiping. Some people will go on about they are too busy, or they have bills and they cant afford to miss work. Really think about what you are saying when you say these things. What you are saying is I am too busy for God. Or I have no faith in God that he will help me with my bills. Or Money to me is more important then setting aside a day for God. Now this is not just something God said, He made a point to make it a Commandment. Exodus 20:8-11 reads,

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holly. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord you God. In it you shall do no work; You, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."

Growing up as a seventh day adventist, we had to repeat this Commandment every Sabbath. Look at how much detail he went into describing what is and what is not to be done on the Sabbath. Now later on I will explain when Jesus further more explains what work can be done on the Sabbath. But look at what these verses are saying. He said not even the animals you own can do work on this day. That is how important the day is, but you have people who will look at the day very casual. Why is that? Why do we look at the day as an option. No one said this is the only day you can worship, but this is the day set aside to do just that. God has said work 6 days, but the seventh day is mine.

Now lets go into how we know the seventh day is Saturday. I am first going explain how the bible determine that, then I will explain where the days got their names. As a Christian we really are not suppose to celebrate Easter, but I am going use it as an example. Easter is referred to as Easter Sunday, the day God raised from the dead. Take a look at Matthew 28:1.

"Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb."

Now you can continue to read the rest of that verse. But it is clear as day that Jesus rose from the dead the day AFTER sabbath. Jesus rose from the dead on SUNDAY...so would that not make Saturday the day of the Sabbath.

Now there was a man by the name of Constantine who is responsible for a lot of Paganism stuff that is involved in our everyday lives. This was the man who changed the Sabbath to Sunday and was adapted by Catholic churches in321 A.D. He did this to bring order between his eastern and western halves of his empire. I could go into more detail about how the bible predicted this, but I am am going leave this to my readers to do more research on Constantine.

Now when the days of the weeks were given their names, they were named after Roman God's and they adapted the names from Egyptians. The first day of the week was Sunday which was also refer to as the day of the sun. Even then Sunday was looked at as the first day of the week. The first day of the week. Am I saying it is wrong to worship on Sunday? No, a person can worship 7 days of the week, but they must respect the Sabbath day as the rightful day of worship. That is something else I will leave to ya to dig deeper.

Now, There are some jobs that can be performed on the Sabbath, which Jesus made known on his days of walking on earth. He let it be known that a person could heal or help another person on the Sabbath. People question if he was really the Son of God because he performed these acts on the Sabbath. Matthew 12:1 reads.

"At the time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him,'Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!'"

As you see in this verse, they questioned Jesus' motives of allow his disciples to do this type of work on the Sabbath. Now look at his response in Matthew 12:3-8,

"But He said to them, 'Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him; hos he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priest in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? Yet I say to you that in this place there is one greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means,'I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless.For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.'"

Now further down Jesus explains more that doing Good is accepted on the Sabbath. As he is questions by the people in Matthew 12:9-10,

"Now when he had departed from there, He went into their synaogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked him, Saying, 'Is it lawful to heel on the Sabbath/'--That they might accuse Him."

Now Jesus responds to them in Matthew 12:11-12,

"The he said to them, 'What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man then a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.'"

Now think of what job fields are able to work on the Sabbath. Can you honestly say that you job falls under that field. Should you be working on the Sabbath or should you be worshiping.Now lets go back to Exodus 35:2-3,

"Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day."

Now when I read the old testament I thank God everyday that I saw another day. I have committed many sins that were suppose to result in death. But as you can see through time some sins do result in that when God can no longer have mercy on a person who refuses to change. But that is another message, but you see how serious keeping the Sabbath is. Now going back to the times of Jesus, there was a time when Jesus gives sight to a blind man on the Sabbath. Once again classified as healing someone on the Sabbath, or doing good for someone on the Sabbath. Now look at John 9:3-5,

"Jesus answered. 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the work of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'"

Notice also in the verse that Jesus says he must work before the sun goes down. He did not say that I must work before midnight. He said before night comes. Now in John 9:16 people started once again questioning Jesus because of the work he has done on the Sabbath,

"Therefore some of the Pharisees said, 'The Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.' Others said, 'How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?' And there was a division among them."

Once again was people were in raged because Jesus healed or helped someone on the Sabbath. Now one might try to dig deep and justify what they are doing for their job is helping someone. Are you healing a person. From the passages I have read the only Jobs qualify for working on the Sabbath are the ones in the Hospital and the ones in the police department.

Now to further look at the importance of the Sabbath, lets look at Nehemiah 13:19,

"So it was, at the gates if Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must nit be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day."

Now lets also look at Jeremiah 17:21-22,

"Thus says the Lord: 'Take heed to yourself, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry a burden out of your house on the Sabbath day, Nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers."

Both verses speak of not bring burdens into the day. Which is also something a Christian should not do to begin with. If one has faith in the Lord, one has no burdens or stress. But both verses point out that it is important to rejoice in this day and be happy. Be happy that you have seen another blessed Sabbath day.

But lets go back again where Jesus once again ask the question, whether is ok to heal on the Sabbath. Take a look at Luke 14:1-6

"Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the Rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?' But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. Then He answered them, saying, 'Which of you. having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?' And they could not answer Him regarding these things."

Once again Jesus is basically saying it is unlawful to watch a person die on the Sabbath, or see someone need help on the Sabbath and not do it. As you see once again he compared a human life to one of an animal. I suggest that you do more research beyond what I have provided, but the important thing is knowing when the Sabbath is, Recognizing it the way God intended, and actually knowing what type of work a person should do with in this day.

Bible vs man: Marriage and the Misconseption of Sex

I still have not finish with my research as of yet, But my friend has pointed out some facts I wanted to touch on, and I wanted to share this with everyone. Take the opportunity to click the link below and read.

Bible vs man: Marriage and the Misconseption of Sex

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Know your role in a Relationship/Marriage in the eyes of God

I'vs actually been researching this subject for a couple days. Some like to only speak of the role of a woman and some only like to speak of the role of a man. But to have a full understanding and actually have a relationship that works and is perfect in God's eyes, one must understand both roles. When I have brought up these verses separate on facebook., You will see the female like the verse that say the men role, and men only like the verses that tell how a woman suppose to act. Now before any understanding, one should look at Genesis 2:21-23 which reads,

"And the lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and he brought her to the man. And Adam said: "This is now bones of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she has taken out of Man."

Now I am going further tell why man is suppose to be protective of woman, and love them like they love their own body, and why woman is suppose to be submissive to men. But that example is already been proven in this verse, but most people want more proof. But woman came from the body of man, why would they not be protective and love them like their own body. And Woman came from man, and was put on this earth to keep man company. First chapter of the bible it defines the roles of both sex. But I am going to go in deeper, for those who feel there should be equality in the relationship.Now you think back to Genesis 2:9 which reads,

"And out the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil."

Alright you read that now look at Genesis 2:15-17

"Then the lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God command the man saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die"

Now everyone knows what happen, But the key to that verse is God told man about the tree. The reason things went wrong is because man did not do his job. He did not take authority of the situation, he knew what God said, but still let woman talk him into eating. That the same in every relationship, most relationship will fall to pieces when man does not take authority of the relationship, and if it does not fall, it is a stressful relationship. Now lets look at where it talks about the role of man and woman again, in 1 Corinthian 11:9-12 reads,

"Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God."

Now this verse speaks of mutual respect between both parties. It is not saying that relationship should be 50/50, it is reestablishing that woman came from man. to reestablish the fact that it is not 50/50, lets look at 1 Timothy 2:11-15,

"Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will e saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control."

Once again it is reestablishing that man should have authority. Now I said im not going just talk about the role of the woman. Now Ephesians 5:22-25 reads,

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the lord. For the husband is head of the wife. as also Christ is head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. Therefore just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husband, love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her,"

Once again it speaks both roles, the husband is to love the wife as if he loves Christ. And once again it mentions that a woman is to be submit to the husband. Now if you stay with Ephesians 5:28-29 which reads,

"So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the lord does the church."

Now I believe that verse speaks for itself. The next verse is also for men. In life we have men who loved their mothers too much and put their mothers before their relationship. Ephesians 5:31 reads,

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh"

A man is suppose to leave both parents and accept his role as a husband to his wife. His main concern from there on out is to his wife first. Now the bible also speaks on sex in a marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 reads,

"Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due to her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And like wise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of lack of self-control."

Now, that is another thing in relationships, cheating. According to this verse cheating can be prevented, and can stop the devil from entering one relationship with temptations. So when there is cheating in the relationship, it is because God is minus from this relationship. But Adultery is different from men and women, and I am not going go into that in this blog...Now the other thing that needs to be known is, only one person in a relationship has to be link to God. Read 1 Corinthians 7:12-14,

"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say; If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy."

I'm going continue this Blog later because I actually lost my train of thought. But the next blog will talk about when are you married in God's eyes. And what is acceptable in God's eye to divorce.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Drinking Alcohol is not a sin...The attempt to become Drunk is the sin

This weekend I had the weirdest thing happen to me, I actually felt like it was a test. I have two facebook account, one that I have no friends on and one I do. I hardly use the one that I have no friends on, that when I got a text message saying Darnell McKenzie has tagged you in some pics, I was puzzled. When I looked at my facebook page, my other account had tagged me in some pics. To me it seem strange that a person would just hack into someone else account and tag them in some pics. And if it was an automatic thing, it was strange because they weren't my pics to begin with. But the pics were of me and my ex, instead of having a relapse I just remember the day. The pictures were actually of the last time liquor had ever touched my lips.

Alcohol was an addiction of mine that I was able to beat, Im not going say its my only addiction but I was able to concur this one with the help of God. I am going give a background of my addiction, then read some chapters. The first time I tasted alcohol, I was five and at a wedding. I was in the wedding party and everyone at the table had a glass of champagne to toast. I remember my expression when I first tasted and couldn't wait for the next toast. When that didn't happen and they were taking everyone's glasses I quickly finish my glass before they came my way. After that I would have Rum cake occasionally. Every time me and my cousins would go to a house party, we would bring our own bottle. Pass it back and forth between each other the whole night, drinking with no chaser. Even have people at the party ask for us to pour them a shot. That was my life and I was in denial that I was an alcoholic. The first time I stopped was when I was on a boarder line break up. My ex didn't like me drinking to begin with, but she deal with it. It not the reason we broke up but i began to have occasional drinks again. The second time I stopped was for myself, and I was able to stop with the help of God. Proverb 23:29-35 reads,

"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine/ Do not look on the wine with it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; At the last bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 'They have struck me but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it/ When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?'"

One most understand that drinking alcohol is not a sin. They are chapter in the bible which says you may drink wine. Read 1 Timothy 5:23.

"No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities."

A little wine can benefit ones health. But notice the verse says a little wine. When some drinks to become drunk, that when the bible states that a person has comited sin. take a look at 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."

All things listed in those verses are a form of addiction. Addiction that the world paints as OK. That is why it is said in the bible not to fall in love with worldly things, because the world will paint the picture, that what a person is doing is ok. Titus 2:11-12 reads,

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."

Addiction are created to further a person from God. Where a person starts to become dependent on that thing to become happy. Instead of relaying on God for that happiness. The first time I quit, the thought going through my mind was I was using alcohol as a crutch and my ex was all the crutch I needed. With that statement in my head I had minus God once again from the equation of my happiness. So minus my ex, I became dependent on alcohol again. Not as bad as before but I still wanted to get drunk. Take a look at Hosea 4:11-12,

"'Horlotry, wine, and new wine enslaves the heart. My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, and their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has cause them to stray, and they have played the harlot again their God."

When something becomes an addictions, it becomes a corruption of someone pure heart. Like the verse says, it enslaves the heart. I know I have stated in previous post that ones should not judge, and try to become peaceful with all that surround them, especially if you were once that person. In my mind, some people maybe saved, and the possibility your knowledge could benefit them. But 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 reads,

"But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone names a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.'"

According to these passage, one is not to even keep the company of one as such. When one speaks of peer pressure, its because one absorbs the negative energy of those around them. But as I stated before, they are those exceptions where God place a person in your life to help. Even though me and my Ex had our rough times, she was the first key for me to beat my addiction.

Now when I say I have other addictions I am not talking bout drugs, as you see from above verses they are a lot of other addiction, that most people dont even consider an addition. Things that are capable of breaking a person down, and have a person sin, while knowing it is a sin, are those addictions. The next verse can actually be attached to any addictions. Proverb 20:1 reads,

"Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise."

Look as it mention Strong drink. Now I mention that alcohol itself is not a sin. It is the one that is tamper with, to have a person drunk faster. Society and media will have a person feeling that, you need to drink to have fun. That is why the verse also says whoever is led astray is is not wise.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Furnace of Affliction

Link to Malice speaking on Furnace of affliction

Im not going type the whole thing, but after watching the video you see the reference chapters, Daniel 3:21-17.

The Furnace of Affliction is what I believe is what happen to me. I do not believe I smelled smoke, but I watch my whole world burn around me. Things that I leeched on, because I thought I needed them to be happy begin to vanish out my life. As stated before the last two years was a living hell for me. I sat alone many times wondering why everything was happening to me. It is like a breaking point in a person life, where everything has failed and they have no one to count on but God. Like in the video, it states some people actually reach out for him and some people stay in their ways. I stayed in my ways for a year, but I am example that God will not give up on you, even when one is hard headed like myself. Isaiah 48:10 states,

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction"

It is a test that God gives us as his children. And like any parent, he refuses to give up on them. It is not a punishment like some might feel at the moment. I will talk in my next blog about addictions. But the first time I gave up Alcohol it was not for God, which should of been the main reason. When I did that for him, I was able to stay on track and away from that addiction. Everyone in life has their flaws, but everyone must realize that to fix or partial fix that flaw they must seek God. Take a look at Job 5:6-8 which reads,

"For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble spring from the ground; Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.'But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause-"

Now a person is tested when they start to doubt, or they as I have stated taken a loan from the devil and feel their sins are ok. During my depress period there were times I question if God had any good intentions for me. I watched him take away a lot, but what he wanted to show me that I should not be dependent on anything but him.

Now another thing that can burn a person is actually a disease. They are a lot of things in the bible that people ignore. Like the unhealthy food section, some people believe that just saying a blessing over your food makes it ok to eat. From not eating healthy or drinking the right stuff people form cancer, heart diseases, diabetics, ect. Once a person has gotten to this stage, it is not too late to seek God, but it got to that point where he had do these things. Following God's words is like an armor against worldly things. That is what the furnace of affliction actually helps us realize. Take a look at Galatians 6:6-9,

"Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

The key thing to look at in this verse is do not stress through the times you are doing good. As long as your doing it and do not lose heart, you will get your reward. I would always complain that I always there for people and I am still struggling, while they are succeeding. The reason for that was I lost heart, and losing heart is like pressing reset. Take a look at Romans 1:21-23,

"Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--And birds and for-footed animals and creeping things."

Knowing God and not recognizing him or questing him, can make a person a fool. It bring corruption back into a person life. A person should never question why God has put them in a certain spot, just realize he will get you out of it if you believe in him. 2 peter 3:9-11 reads,

"The lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in Which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fevent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in holly conduct and godliness"

When God makes a promise, unlike people of the world, he keeps it. It might not be on your time scheduled, but he will deliver his promise, the question is how much patients does one have. How much strength does one have not to give into the world's temptations.

That is what the furnace is, placing a mirror in front of a person, and actually helping them see them self. And God is hoping this realization will bring them to him. Sometimes it works and sometimes people are too stuck in their own ways to seek God. Or they feel they already have God, but the hand that is guiding them is of the Devil himself. At that point God steps in and try's to help a person acknowledge that. Like most kids, they think their parents enjoy punishing them. That is not so, Ezekiel 33:11 reads,

"Say to them: 'As I live ,'says the Lord God,'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil way! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'"

There is so much God can do for a person to help them, but if that person refuses his help. He can not help that person. Look at Zechariah13:9.

"I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested.They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one one will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"

It just a test of a person strength and wiliness to call for him, and realize that they need him. Realize how a person is living is wrong and knowing accepting your Fathers hands is right.