1 Peter 1:7 says, “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The Lord revealed Himself to Shadrach, Meschach, and Abed-Nego IN the fiery furnace. I believe He reveals Himself to us IN our trials. He certainly has for me ~ showing me things about Himself that I never experienced before. I didn’t know anything about intimate communion until I fell into the ravine (1977)

In the brain injury crucible (2017) I couldn’t think for myself for four months. He revealed Himself to me through phrases of Scripture that He put into my mind to think. He kept me in that for hours until He gave me the next one.

My pastor friend wrote to me, “I’m swimming in His great grace and mercy. That’s why there is peace and assurance within when storms are raging without.” Timeless truth.

I love the word uphold. As I was meditating on Psalm 119:116-117 I thought of these words. Sustain. Secure. Undergird. Strengthen. Reinforce. Fortify. Support. The verses say, “Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up, and shall be safe, and I shall observe Your statutes continually.”

I love Isaiah 41:10 also. It says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” There is no greater security than to know that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Colossians. 3:3.

Here is a verse that fortifies me when I am facing impossible situations. Psalm 63:8 Amplified says, “My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.”

Psalm 119 is broken up into 22 sections of 8 verses each. Verses 97-104 are about the power of meditating. Verse 98 ~ make us wiser than our enemies. Verse 99 ~ more understanding than our teachers. Verse 100 ~ more understanding than the ancients. Verse 101 ~ restrains our feet from every evil way. Verse 102 ~ keep us from departing from God’s word. Verse 103 ~ sweet communion. Verse 104 ~ gives us a hatred for every false way.

James 1:5 says that if we need wisdom we can ask. James 3:18 says that wisdom from above is first of all pure. What could be purer than God’s word? Psalm 112:6 says, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”

Meditating in God’s word purifies our thought processes. Psalm 18:26 says, “With the pure You will show Yourself pure…” Trials purify our faith so that there is no hidden alloy to tarnish His reflection.

I was starting to meditate on Psalm 119:96 and could not make sense of the wording. Then I read it in the Amplified. Read this carefully and let it sink in. It says, “I have seen that everything (human) has its limits and end (no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent); but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits (into eternity).”

God’s word is unlimited and extends into eternity. What a spiritual grounding for us. I love Psalm 119:89. It anchors me. It says, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” In your trial look up.

Here are David’s words in adversity. Psalm 18:16, 18-19 says, ‘He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.”

Character is what we do behind closed doors. Daniel 6:3 says, “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him…” 

Jealousy drove the other governors and satraps to find a charge against Daniel. They could find nothing, because according to verse 4, “…he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” They knew they had to set a trap.

They convinced the king to make a decree. Daniel’s character was revealed behind closed doors. Verse 10 says that when he knew the decree had been signed, he went home and opened his windows towards Jerusalem. It says, “…he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

Daniel had a secret history with God that was not altered or changed because of his adverse circumstances. Our heart’s choices reveal our character’s compass. Where does yours point?

Psalm 119:80 says, “Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, that I may not be ashamed.” The fruit of disobedience is shame. Why did Adam and Eve hide? They disobeyed. As I’ve continued to meditate on this verse, a scene from The Passion Of Christ came to my mind.

Jesus was tied to a post and they were getting ready to whip Him. He looked up and said, “Father, My heart is ready.” Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Verse 8 says, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” An obedient heart is a humble heart. We disobey because of pride!

James 3:13 Amplified says, “Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his (good) works with the (unobtrusive) humility (which is the proper attribute) of true wisdom.”

We begin our progressive sanctification journey the moment we are saved. That is our standing that is never altered. At the end, Jude verse 24 says, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

Our state is always changing according to our state of mind. Psalm 119:80 says, “Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, that I may not be ashamed.” I wrote an ebook called “Triumphing Over Shame.” It is also chapter two of “Victorious Bouquet.”

I love Psalm 34:5. It says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” Isaiah 54:4 says, “…for you will forget the shame of your youth…” Jesus bore all our shame. It is time to renounce its lies, renew your mind, and cling to Him through the power of His written word. 

Psalm 119:75-76 says, “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant.”

God’s faithfulness is imprinted on every trial. His promise is that He will always be with us in our trial. Isaiah 43:2 is one of my anchor verses. It says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

In 37 words, He used ‘through’ three times. Our trials have an end intended. James 5:11. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “…but God is faithful…will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”

Here is a new song

Celebrate Your Uniqueness 

My hands have made you and fashioned you in My image. There is no one else like you. Don’t try to copy others. Influence them through who you are. Be you in the design of My making.  

Creativity is freedom from sameness. It all begins in your thoughts. Be free to explore and develop the passions I’ve given you. Thoughts can box you in or free your spirit. Accepting who you are will cause you to thrive in every aspect of your life.

All things work together for good to those who are called according to My purpose. Nothing is in vain. I will redeem it all. The things you have been through have given you eyes to see and ears to hear and compassion to minister to others. I want you to celebrate you as I celebrate you. You are created for My glory.

***Embrace Your design because you are Made In God.

I check labels on products to see where they were made. If we had a stamp on us it would say: Made In God. Psalm 119:73 says, “Your hands had made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.”

For years I lived in self-hatred and self-rejection. Why? I did not see myself through God’s eyes. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”

We are His workmanship. Ephesians 2:10. We are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26. He knew us before He formed us in our mother’s womb. Jeremiah 1:5. Psalm 139:13 says, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”

Ephesians 1:4 says, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…” We are Made In God to glorify Him throughout our days.