This was a pretty cool story shared with me today...

Malachi 3:3 says; 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy….when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

And, whatever you're going through, you'll be a better person in the end.

If the claims of Jesus about Himself are untrue, then Christianity is utterly unimportant… If His claims are true, then nothing could be of more importance… The one thing it can’t be is moderately important.  A great question to ask yourself…  Do I treat my relationship with Jesus Christ as unimportant, moderately important, or of great importance?     Character:  Doing what is right, as God defines right, no matter what the cost.        Click here to view a pretty scary video         March 18, 2008 I just completed reading the book ‘The Shack’.  It is the best book I have ever read.  It is my hope that everyone I know reads this book and has their heart enlightened the way mine is right now. God Bless You... ~Danny        The purpose of cumberlandhope.com is to share the hope and love of Jesus Christ with people living in and around Cumberland, Maryland.   The plan for this website is to be a central place for all people, regardless of their current level of faith or belief, to seek and find help, request prayers, share victories, and experience the unconditional love that Christ calls us to. Cumberlandhope.com will serve as a central place to celebrate our unity in Christ. We will not spend time and effort debating denominational, theological or political differences. That type of effort has a tendency to get in the way of love. We are dedicated to sharing the love of Christ and helping anyone that needs help and prayer.   Click here to see the Bricks of Truth   Click here to view Daily Devotions. This section of our site is updated every morning. Click here to view video stories of people overcoming life's struggles that many of us face...

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