07/30/09 storms are food for growth building up that Kingdom equity

Well is this a theme developing???  Or just my vision clearing?

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Some quotes and scriptures from my devotional and my own thoughts......

"The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and storm" Nahum 1:3.
I recollect, when a lad, and while attending a classical institute in the vicinity of Mount Pleasant, sitting on an elevation of that mountain, and watching a storm as it came up the valley. The heavens were filled with blackness, and the earth was shaken by the voice of thunder. It seemed as though that fair landscape was utterly changed, and its beauty gone never to return.
But the storm swept on, and passed out of the valley; and if I had sat in the same place on the following day, and said, "Where is that terrible storm, with all its terrible blackness?" the grass would have said, "Part of it is in me," and the daisy would have said, "Part of it is in me," and the fruits and flowers and everything that grows out of the ground would have said, "Part of the storm is incandescent in me."
Have you asked to be made like your Lord? Have you longed for the fruit of the Spirit, and have you prayed for sweetness and gentleness and love? Then fear not the stormy tempest that is at this moment sweeping through your life. A blessing is in the storm, and there will be the rich fruitage in the "afterward." --Henry Ward Beecher
Ah the love of God - growing me - transforming me - purifying me - to make me as He is! 
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"But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience" Romans 5:3.

What a blessing to be called to this depth of love.

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 ²⁵"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.  John 12:25 

He has made us with bits of Himself implanted within.  Each person in His body with a facet of who He is.  Each with the ability to shine forth that which is purely Christ Jesus to all.  He provided the means for us to live out His life as our own in loving service to one another.  The purification of our hearts by our dying self brings us down to that which is left – only the pieces of Him that live in us, with nothing but His life left for living.  Do you ask for the purpose of your life?  There is the answer.  To die and live as Christ in service to others.

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Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.  Psalms 145:16

YOU will see the truth about the eternal life soon; I don't think it is possible to live up to the highest point of duty and of happiness without this. I know, one can go on doing one's duty thoroughly under clouds of doubt, and even in complete unbelief; there are many who do, and they are dear to God, but the duty is done sadly, without the spring of life and joy that we are meant to have. That fountain of life and strength is hid in God. Christ showed us the way to it, and we get it into our souls when we utterly trust Him and give up our hearts, and our lives, and our aspirations to Him as to a faithful Creator, who will not leave unsatisfied any of the longings of the souls He has made; who will not let love die, or disappoint finally the cravings for joy, for perfection, for light and knowledge that He has implanted, and that are parts of Himself, immortal as He is.
ANNIE KEARY

Joy comes in the morning and love is the depth that is plummed once one seeks to know the Living God.  Though we are scorched by the flame of His love and our flesh burned away, we do not perish, no, we are refined and cleansed with it.  We are melted and molded into a jewel that He can wear proudly as His own.  Our seeking Him is never unfulfilled.  He will prepare us for that day when we shall meet face to face.  We will be then, able to stand in His presence spotless and without blemish because of His love that cleans and purifies us.

What He has desired –

to have us as His own –

He has Himself made the way –

He has then undertaken the task of transforming us – 

by His very love which is for us –

into His Own.

Those of us that He deems worthy of afliction must count ourselfs greatly blessed because in the tribulation He demonstrates His trust in us.  That we will use the gifts of patience and endurance and hope for His purpose and His people.  What an honour to be counted worthy of this service.  What joy to be used this way.