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.