A PIECE OF MY HEART...becoming a polished Christian!

Today I spent time polishing some silver. I polished some yesterday as well. Yesterday, I polished silverware that was used in a recent dinner party, however, when it was time to replace the silverware, the unused pieces looked yellow and tarnished next to the newly polished ones. So today I had to spend some time polishing ALL of the pieces.

Before I began polishing, the polishing pad looked so fresh and new...

But just after a few strokes of the tarnished pieces, the pad began to take on a different look. A dirty, nasty look...



It is no secret that in life if we rub shoulders with the wrong people, it is only a matter of time before their nasty habits will rub off on us. We can start out like that clean polishing pad, with the best of intentions, but after just one or two rubs of the sinful nature of those we hang around, we can become soiled.

The Bible says that "Iron sharps iron" (Prov. 27:17) That indicates that in order to become strong, I need to associate with strong people. In order to be encouraged, I need to be around encourager's. In order to grow in the Lord spiritually, I need to stick close to those who are seeking God.

It is so easy, as a Christian, to become discouraged. When I look around and see people who clearly are not putting God first but yet seem to have it all together, it frustrates me. I guess it is the same thing that was happening in the book of Malachi. (Malachi 3:14-18) Some of the Jews became discouraged and discontented when they saw others prospering and having great lives while being prideful, wicked and arrogant people.

"Is God just?" -the Jews wondered. But as I read on, I see that there is another group of people in this story that do not murmur or question God about these seemingly injustices. Instead they got together as a group and remained faithful to God and trusted Him.

MALACHI 3:16 "Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name."

Be encouraged today... God hears your cry! He sees your heart! And He is remembering all those who have been faithful to Him and those who have not. He knows who is prideful and who is not. He sees the injustices that have come against you. He is making note and remembering every act of malice against you and against Him.

In His eyes we are jewels. But it is important that we remain polished. Be alert and wise as to who you allow to rub up against you .... your choices may either polish you or soil you!

And this has been a piece of my heart today;