The Refining Process

9.14.11 – Hugo, OK/9.29.11 – Durant, OK

REFINING is the process of purification, often through fire; taking the old and putting it through intense pressure and heat to be made new into a better substance. We always go through seasons in our lives – seasons of harvest, and seasons of famine – in all aspects of life.  There are times when it seems things are working out just fine, and there are times when it seems like it’s hard to hear God. The refining process is a season of testing, where our faith in God is challenged and pressured to the brink.

IN chemistry, and particularly oil refining, there are three components to refining: 1) Heat, 2) Pressure, and 3) the Catalyst.  All three are required to provide the necessary means to purify the impure compound into a clean, useable product.

1. Heat – In refining, fire is used to purify, wash, and separate the pure material from the filth that’s stuck to it.  In our hearts, the Lord seeks to be the refining fire that washes away our sin and free us from the burden of sinful lives.

Proverbs 17:3(GWT) – “The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts by fire is the Lord.”

Malachi 3:2-4(GWT) – “Who will be able to survive on the day he appears? He is like a purifying fire and like a cleansing soap. He will act like a refiner and a purifier of silver.”

Isaiah 4:4(GWT) – “The Lord will wash away the filth of Zion’s people.”

2. Pressure - Pressure is the testing that we go through; the times of trial, when we feel like we can’t hear God.  These times of testing are trials to strengthen our faith.  When added with the heat in the refining process, it helps break down and simplify the material.

Jeremiah 9:7(GWT) - ”This is what the Lord of Armies says, ‘I will now refine them with fire and test them…’”

Jeremiah 17:10(GWT) – “I, the Lord, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions.”

James 1:3-4(GWT) – “You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything.”

3. the Catalyst - The catalyst, in chemistry, is a chemical that speeds up a reaction without being affected.  For our purposes, a good definition for a catalyst is: a substance that causes change without being affected.  WE need to be people in this world who go through trials and come out on top; to be people that affect change in the world, and aren’t affected by the powers and principalities of darkness in the earth.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6(MSG) -  All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching.

There will always be times of testing. God allows us to be put to the test to grow. Growing in our faith, and growing in our walk with God.  Learning to trust him around every corner and through ever trial.  That is what the refining process does for our hearts.

Hebrews 12

- Hollis Moore, Revolution Youth Worship Pastor

Let Hope Rise…

9.22.11, Revolution Youth Durant

Wishing vs. Hoping 

Wishing is something we do without any real expectations.  Hope is one of the bases of faith.  When we pray, we have hope in our hearts for an answer.

1 Peter 1:1-4 (ESV) – “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,  To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ²according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:  May grace and peace be multiplied to you. ³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…”

God has called us to be hope in a dreary world; to be the light of day when we humanity seems to be doomed to the darkness of these times.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

- Without faith, there is no way to please God!

Hope pushes us toward faith. 

Romans 10:12 – Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  (Thank you, Joey McWilliams)

James 2 - Faith without works is dead.

Hope is obsolete when physical.  You can’t hope for something you already see, just as faith is superfluous in something that we can see We hope for things unseen.

Bottom-line:  Cultivate hope in YOUR life.

Micah Moore, Assistant Youth Pastor, Revolution Youth

October 9th, 2011: Ministry Connect

On Sunday, October 9th, directly after 3rd service, Victory Life Church will be having a Ministry Connect conference in the youth sanctuary.  Ministry Connect is a meeting that sticks to its title:  we literally want to connect our church body to the ministry.  This month, they will be highlighting the Youth and Media departments.  Whether you are a parent, high-schooler, or college student,  this is a chance for YOU to get involved with Revolution Youth, and see what we do to create a better spiritual experience for this generation.  Come join us and see what we’re all about! There may even be some free food in our area of presentation.  That’s enough to get me there! So remember, October 9th, right after 3rd service, youth sanctuary.  Hope to see you there!

- Andrew Cacho, Assemblies Director, Revolution Youth