“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the Lord tests hearts.”
– Proverbs 17:3

Precious metals are tested and refined through intense heat and fire. The crucible. The furnace. Precious silver and gold melt under the fiery trial and the junk is separated from what’s genuine. The result is pure and of great value, which everyone can acknowledge.

God does the same thing for something far more precious to Him than gold or silver. God doesn’t care about silver or gold because He already owns all that. Rather, God tests, refines, and purifies the hearts of those made in His image. Precious human beings.

God allows His children to pass through fiery trials and terrible seasons to strengthen and purify their hearts. Those who endure in Christ find their hearts and souls refined by these trials. Strengthened and renewed as they learned to walk through suffering hand-in-hand with their Suffering Savior. As they allowed themselves to be carried by God’s strength in their weakness.

Faith grows strong in the furnace. Priorities get clarified in the crucible. What is produced by those things which test our hearts is enduring faith, Christ-like character, and strength in the Spirit.

If Jesus is your Lord, please understand that it’s not a question of whether tests and trials will come. They will certainly come. But they aren’t a curse from God. They’re intended to ultimately be a blessing for your good and His glory. #FollowJesus

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”
– Proverbs 9:9

One of the clearest marks of wisdom and righteousness is a person’s willingness to hear and grow from the criticism, correction, and advice of others. Those who are confident in their wisdom and right standing with God don’t fear correction. They welcome it. They love advice, even if they don’t take it. They appreciate learning, even as they wisely separate the good from the bad.

On the other hand, those who are foolish and those who are unrighteous absolutely hate correction. They refuse it, reject it, and abuse those who offer it.

How do you respond to constructive criticism? To feedback? To correction? To advice? Are you thankful for it, expressing appreciation? Or defensive and angry about it, making arguments against it, excuses for why it doesn’t apply, and heaping scorn on those offering it?

Consider your answer very carefully, honestly, and seriously. Because it will reveal whether you’re truly wise or a fool trying to wear a disguise. #FollowJesus

“Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.”
– Proverbs 4:23

Be very careful and thoughtful about the condition of your heart. Not in a physical sense. In an emotional and spiritual sense. Is life and love present and flowing out of your heart? Or is bitterness, anger, discouragement, or death present and flowing out of your heart?

Jesus explained that what comes out of our mouths reflects the true condition of our hearts. This proverb tells us that it’s very wise to carefully and constantly monitor our hearts. This is because human hearts can be so easily deceived. So easily drawn toward false, foolish, and sinful things. So easily wounded and scarred into fear, selfishness, cynicism, or cruelty.

Don’t let these things happen! Check your heart regularly. What are you feeling? What are you saying? How well is your heart lining up with the heart of Jesus? How well is it imitating and obeying His words, will, and ways? What is your heart pushing you toward? Is it godly or ungodly? What words come tumbling out of your mouth from your heart? Are they godly or ungodly? #FollowJesus

“If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.”
– Proverbs 1:23

Wisdom is constantly extending an invitation to any and all who would accept it. Seek God’s wisdom and you’ll find it. Wisdom doesn’t play hide-and-seek. Not with those sincerely looking for it. Wisdom isn’t a mystery wrapped in an enigma. If you catch a word of wisdom from the Lord and actually respond to it appropriately, then wisdom opens the floodgates for even more wisdom!

The Bible is full of God’s wisdom, meant to bless and protect you from your own foolishness. Seek God’s wisdom. Read it, study it, meditate on it, and live by it. Let God’s wisdom, revealed throughout the Bible, challenge you, rebuke, and correct you. Act on what God’s Word teaches you and don’t be surprised to discover a tidal wave of wisdom headed your way! #FollowJesus

“Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.'” – John 9:39

You might want to read that verse again, because it isn’t how most people tend to think about Jesus. Having recently given sight to a man born blind, Jesus was emphatic that not everyone would choose to see. Faith in Him would not come to all. Jesus didn’t come to bring everyone together. He came to divide the world between those eager to see and welcome Him and those who refuse to see God’s activity, even when it’s right in front of them.

To the Pharisees of the day (then and now), Jesus came to reveal their stubborn refusal to see and acknowledge the plain truth of the coming of God’s Son into the world to rescue us from our sins. For those determined to save themselves by hard work and self-righteous rule following, Jesus confirms their utter spiritual blindness and ruin. The imperfect can never make ourselves perfect. Even when we put on the appearances of perfection, it merely masks a corrupt heart and mind. Unfortunately, many refuse to see the truth.

On the other hand, to those aware of their desperate need for a Savior, Jesus came to reveal God and His grace, truth, life, love, and mercy. Jesus came to bring spiritual and physical healing, hope, and eternal life. All that’s need to receive it is faith God’s Son.

Jesus invites people into grace and brings judgment upon those who refuse God’s grace. Don’t be surprised when people refuse it. Be sorrowful. Be prayerful. But don’t be surprised. Delight when anyone accepts it. Rejoice in spiritual sight given to someone who was once blind to the Lord. #FollowJesus