Are you in the refiner’s fire today? When the process is complete, you’ll be more like Jesus and less like your old self.
He will sit like a refiner of silver. Mal 3:3 NLT
Are you in the refiner’s fire today? If you are don’t rebel or try to run away, just sit still and let the refiner do His work. The Bible says: “He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify [them], refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”
A woman who read this verse at a Bible study wanted to know how it related to her walk with God, so she made an appointment with the silversmith. Without mentioning anything other than a general interest in the process, she sat and observed him work. She watched as he held the silver over the fire, explaining that in order to burn away every impurity he had to keep it in the middle where it was hottest. She asked him if he usually sat in front of the fire the entire time. “Yes,” he replied, “not only do I have to hold it, I must watch it. If I leave it there too long it will be destroyed.” After thinking about that for awhile she asked, “How do you know when the process is complete?” Smiling, he replied, “That’s easy; I see my face reflected in it.”
If you’re in the refiner’s fire today, remember:
- He knows what He’s doing, so trust Him.
- He won’t allow you to be destroyed by the circumstances, or take His eye off you.
- When the process is complete, you’ll be more like Jesus and less like your old self.
Isn’t that what you want? Isn’t that what you’ve prayed for?
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Fresh out of Bible school and with a heavenly mandate, Jim and Pam moved to Erie, PA, in June 1981. Having never visited the city, their sojourn began by living ten weeks in a tent on Walnut Creek with their four-year-old son. God had said, "Move to Erie, become established and build a great church." No obstacle was impossible to overcome!
Making Erie their permanent home, they helped establish three churches in Northwest, PA, and faithfully pastored Erie Christian Fellowship for 30 years. Their vision, which continues under the capable leadership of Jason and Liz Ackerman, is to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and build strong believers rooted in the Word and guided by the Spirit.
Jim and Pam continue to minister as District Directors of Rhema Ministerial Alumni Association. In September 2018, Jim experienced a miraculous recovery from a "widowmaker" heart attack and a 6-day coma. After prayer, Jim was miraculously restored to the joy of his family and the astonishment of a caring medical team. Jim is currently writing "Let's Pray," a book that chronicles God's guidance and answers to prayer in their life.
Jim and Pam have one son, Dr. Justin Dumont (married to Dr. Anna Dumont), and four incredible grandchildren; Jazna, Coleben, Symeon, and Kendru.