Refined Gem: Recent Episodes
Refined Gem
Again,the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who,when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it( Matthew 13:45-46).We can experience this Kingdom through God's word.Gemstones & semi-precious stones are formed through pressure and heat.God's word which is flawless refined in a furnace of clay will also be tested as we live through it.Refined Gem seeks to share the word of God, applying it in everyday living.
We reflect today on how God chooses one generation to use amongt many others that are there.He could even pick one individual in that generation He chooses.
He endows them after choosing them.We will see characteristics by way of identity of this generation that He handpicks.
(1 Peter 2:9,Revelation 1:6,Zechariah 9:16,Deutronomy 5:9-10,2 Corinthians 1:22)
The book of Esther holds profound lessons us.How an orphaned girl ascended to the throne as a queen.
We reflect on another aspect of the one year of preparation that sll the beautiful women were subjected to in the race to make Queen.
Season of pampering and rejuvenation before we can step into divine appointments.And yes this applies to all of us.
( Esther 2:12-13, Ecclesiastes 3:1)
God created by speaking .Let there be and there would be(whatever He spoke).
We too can co-create our realities with God and more so when we align our prayers with God's word.
(Psalms 103:20)
Happy new month!
Just popping in to share that we take a short break and resume on 21st September God willing.
Stay blessed!😘
God calls us who He created us TO BE even before we become.This journey of becoming may therefore require us to conquer personal giants first before we can conquer the greater ones that then usher us into our God given destinies.We reflect on Gideon- who we are introduced to when he is in hiding with a CV of a fearful man.He follows God's instructions,conquers personal giants and ultimately becomes who God called him from the start- a Mighty Man of Valor.
Judges 6-8,Exodus 34:7
God honors invitations from us.
He will always come.
We might have invited him to meet a need like Jairus invited Jesus when his daughter was unwell or Manoah and his wife to speak again about the birth of Samson.God though desires intimacy with us.That we can still meet with Him inspite of His having performed for us or not . Abraham loved and walked with God inspite of God taking years to fulfil His promises to him.
(John 11:1-44, Mark 5:21-43, Revelations 3:20,Luke 19:1-10,Genesis 28:10-17, Romans 4:3)
We reflect on how Saul was given specific instructions by God through prophet Samuel.
He was to destroy the Amalekites ,their animals,men,women ,children infants- literally everything. Saul did not and one of the reasons he gave Samuel was that he was afraid of his own men.
His partial disobedience ultimately cost him the throne.
(1 Samuel 15)
God tested the Israelites to see whether they would follow His instructions.They may have seemed simple inconsequential instructions but it mattered to God as it showed their attitude towards Him.
Our next instruction from God depends on whether we obeyed the last one He gave us.It could be for something bigger which we might miss if we don't discern how God speaks to us.( Exodus 16)
Are you able to identify a well in your family line ? A source ,a godly heritage, a special grace,almost like a mantle passed down from one generation to another in your family?We study Isaac re-digging the wells of his father, Abraham and will see how he was able to multiply them. Eventually finding the well that brought him rest- REHOBOTH.
(Genesis 26,Exodus 20:5-6)
Do you feel as if are behind your schedule with God? Perhaps you can't account for certain seasons in your life having lost time or tangible things.
We reflect today on how God who is the author of time is able to restore it all.We draw our lesson from the Shunamite woman.
( 2 Kings 8:1-6, Joel 2:25,Isaiah 49:15-16)
Our reflection today is on what God has blessed us with as the FIRST.
We will not only see how God asked the Israelites to consecrate the first borns but will draw a parallel on Jesus as the first born of the entire creation.Why is the first of anything that special to God? Why also did the dragon wait for the woman to give birth and then waged war on the her and the rest of her offspring when it was unsuccessful with the first born -the child that God rescued?
( Exodus 13,Colossians 1:15, Revelations 12)
Isaelites in the bible had several missteps.Times when they would find themselves in trouble .We reflect today on how God can invite us to walk in paths already set by others that have gone ahead of us and if there are no such paths,then God will invite us to create such paths for those coming after us.
(Jeremiah 6:16,Deutronomy 6:1-9,2 Timothy 1: 3-5)
We continue with the series on God not forgetting. We reflect on King Hezekiah receiving a death sentence and he asked God to remember how he had walked faithfully with God with whole hearted devotion.God heard him and added him more years to live.
( 2 Kings 18,19,20 and Exodus 32:9-14)
One night a King just could not sleep and he called for books of remembrance.
Mordecai was in deep trouble at the exact time and his good deeds were brought to the King's attention.
It turned everything around for him. God can cause books of remembrance to be opened and you're rewarded. God doesn't forget.
(Esther 5& 6,Galatians 6:9, Matthew 6:1-4)
Are we able to step out in faith when God speaks to us ?
We reflect on Cornelius in his time of prayer and how God spoke to him.At the same time Peter while in an encounter with God received instructions to expect men sent by cornelius.
( Acts 10, John 14:16)
We clock 5 this May....whoa!Glory to Jesus and thank you for journeying with us.
This is just a quick note after our unplanned break that we resume this coming Sunday and hopefully keep at it.
God bless!
We reflect today on invitations from God when He wants to speak to us. How He will want us to position ourselves to hear. We reflect on how God might just speak in ways other than those we are accustomed to.
1 Kings 19 and Habakkuk 2:1&2
NB...There is no book of Elijah :-) but his story in in 1 kings.Please pardon the editing :-).
We reflect today on Deborah. She was a wife,a prophet and a judge.
We consider how God can reveal to us victories in advance and how He expects us to communicate at times but most importantly to partner with Him in prayer until that victory is received.
She agreed to go to the battle field with Barak.We can do so through prayer.
Amos 3:7,Judges 4 & 5
Our reflection today is drawn from Isaiah 41.
God is God all by Himself. He promises to uphold us with His righteous right hand .
We can trust Him to help in places where no help has been forthcoming.
(Isaiah 41:8-14)
We reflect today on how God is able to keep us from stumbling or from falling. That could be from sin, the big sins or smaller sins ,seemingly presented to us in a very subtle way that it looks harmless or innocent or even justified but with the potential to sabotage what God has in store for us .
(Jude 1:24,1 Samuel 25)
Hey everyone!
Today we reflect on hearing the voice of God from a practical perspective.
Hope this episode reminds you to keep gleaning from scriptures.
(Isaiah 30:21)
We will always often overflow in speech what is full in our hearts.
It's also one of the ways others can judge our character or tell what we are truly made of.
Taking garlic and expecting to smell roses is impossible.You and I will have an overflow of what we have taken in.
(Luke 6:43-45)
Hello!
Is it possible for us to reach out to people we consider as great servants of God to bless us and miss out on the greater ones God has ordained in our lives closer home?
Our lesson today is drawn from Hebrews 7:7.
We reflect on offices that are ordained and which God respects regardless of the person holding such an office.One word spoken by the holder of such an office has God's authority lacing it.
(Hebrew 7:1-10, Ephesians 6:2-3,Matthew 6:9-11, Mathew 7:11)
Hey everyone!
Happy December! We reflect today on Samson's hair growing back and him making a prayer to God for a second chance.
He then killed many more men than when he had his hair long.
While it might feel like we don't have strength to do much with the year coming to an end,it might just be a beginning for you and God will help you do alot more than you ever did.
(Judges 16, 2 Peter 3:8,Isaiah 52:1)
Have a listen also to the episode on January 23,2022 titled
" The secret of your strength".
Welcome back to Refined Gem!
We resume fully next week for a month but today we reflect briefly on Psalms 91:1 on staying in that secret place in God.
Please pardon the delay! We have had a technical hitch and working on resolving the same shortly.
We reflect on how it's possible to have a source of light but once another greater light is switched on, we see more and the light we had is made to look dim.
(Psalms 36:9 & Psalms 119:105)
We reflect on the Zephaniah 3:17 of how God rejoices over us and sings over us.
Such a lovely depiction of his deep knowledge of us for Him to compose a song for us!
How easy is it for us to discern nudging from Holy Spirit? Sometimes our next instruction from God is dependent on our heeding the last thing he told us to do.Yet these may come in form of nudgings within us which means we act on purely by faith and most certainly in obedience.Those led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
(Judges 6 &7,Romans 8:14,Matthew 19:14)
Sometimes God calls us into the deep places with Him. By passing us through a wilderness or where waves crush over us.
We reflect on God using the wilderness to prepare Moses for his calling or assignment as a deliverer of Israelites out of Egypt.
(Psalms 42:7-8, Hoses 2:24,Exodus 2-6, Exodus 7:1)
We reflect today on Joseph's destiny journey to greatness.Boy,didn't he have a rough start !
From a pit to prison to being forgotten but ultimately all being events that would lead him to the Palace and as second in command after Pharaoh.God turned the evil his brothers meant in throwing him in a pit for his good .Unknown to them,it was God sending him ahead of them and for their salvation.
( Genesis 37-50,Romans 8:28, Paslams 23:4)
Just a brief encouragement for us to approach God in confidence knowing that we can't ask for fish and He serves us with a snake on our plate.
This thought is vividly tickling!
(Scripture reference Matthew 7:7-11)
Have you ever seen a field of crops that have been pruned? Was it green and lush? I bet not!
Today we reflect on how God initiates or allows seasons of pruning when he sees we are fruitful...Say that again??
We look at what to do in that season and what to expect from God when He changes the season.
( Scripture Reference: John 15:1-8, Joel 2:25-26,Songs of Solomon 2:11-13)
In a race,one's pace may get affected. Perhaps by a false start, maybe an injury,being shoved off the track by another.Just like the race of life, we might in some cases need God's divine speed as a boost.We reflect on how Elijah supernaturally ran faster than the chariots of Ahab.
Scripture references:1 King's 18, James 5:17,Psalms 29:18.
Hey everyone and welcome Back!
This is just a brief notification that we will be resuming this Sunday 18th August 2024.
We are excited and looking forward to gleaning from scriptures together!
Stay tuned!
Happy Easter! Jesus is risen!God loved you and I so passionately that He gave His only son to die to have us back from the hold of sin.We reflect today on the much His death and rising up again means for us!(John 3:16, Genesis 3, Mathew 27&28,Colossians 1&2, Ephesians 1,Galatians 3:13, Numbers 22, John 19:23-24)
Is it possible for us to see things as God sees?We reflect today on how God can give us the ability to see if we ask.It will make a difference in how we live our lives.Elisha was all calm as he could see the horses and chariots of fire sent by the Lord and who were much more than the armies of the king of Assyria.His servant could only see with his physical eyes until Elisha prayed for God to open his inner eyes.We can have a deep seated assurance when we are able to see as God sees.(2 Kings 6:8-23, John 1515:26, Jeremiah 33:3)
Welcome back!Have you ever seen a leaping calf? The cute animal jumps as of it's stepping on some electric wires and as if its head is jamming to some music 😉.God delights in us having that kind of joy leading us to leap like such calves.We draw lessons from David on secrets to experiencing joy that knows no boundaries .(Malachi 4:2,Psalms 16, 2 Peter 1:3)
Our podcast today is slightly different:-)...Sometimes we just need someone to hold our hand and agree with us in prayer.We take some time today to pray about rest and God's promises over our lives as God spoke to the children of Israel. (Joshua 21:44-45)Be blessed!
We reflect on what happens when we pray and how we should pray.We partner with God especially when we tell God back His word in our time of prayer.His angels hearken to the voice of His word.(Acts 12:12-19,Daniel 10, Mathew 6:5-7,Psalms 103:20)
Proverbs 18:16-A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.We reflect on a gift which God can bestow on someone over and above the gifts that are easily seen by others. This is the unseen gift that can take one before the king. Perhaps what then sets us apart amongst many gifted people. David was gifted in playing the harp but there were possibly other harp players in Israel but his playing carried the presence of God and so could drive the tormenting spirit out of Saul. Given, Esther was beautiful but so were all the other women lined up as Vashti’s replacement. The unseen gift of God’s favor distinguished her from the other beauties and she was crowned as queen. For these two, God’s hand was behind events leading to the king calling for them on account of their gifts.(1 Samuel 16, Romans 8:30, Esther 1-2, Luke 2:52,1 John 1:5)
We continue our reflection on friendship with God and draw lessons from the life of Daniel.He put his life on the line backed only by his confidence in God. That not only would God reveal to him King Nebuchadnezzar's dream but also give him the interpretation.God who is all knowing is a dependable friend and we need no protocols to approach Him.(Daniel 1& 2,Hebrews 4:16,1 John 5:14)
It sounds easier to say that God is " my friend" but it's a greater privilege when one is referred to as " The friend of God " like He did Abraham. It means Abraham was in a class of his own & had a deeper exclusive relationship with God.We reflect on how we too can get there. A place where God enjoys our friendship as well & shares His heart with us.(Genesis 15,James 2:21-23,Genesis 18:7,John 15:15)
The beginning of new year gives us an opportunity to dream again.We can however be settled on what we achieved or what went well in the past year and we settle.We reflect today on what Paul shared with us about pressing towards the mark.We learn how we can choose to forget what's behind us and press on for more.To be better versions of ourselves in God. We will also consider how God desires for us to see the new thing He is doing and through eyes of faith!Only possible when we forget what perhaps didn't go well and we start our God given new season.Philippians 3:12-14,Isaiah 43:18-21,Proverbs 23:18( kindly note we made an error and this is the correct reference🙂).
Happy New year!Best wishes from Refined Gem.We value each of you that listens to us.May these words in Revelations 21:5 characterise your new year!And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.Hope to be back soon.Stay blessed!
We are slowing down even as we come to the end of this year.As we relax and just take it easy, this is also a season God desires for us to keep watch and to be alert. Over Christmas,surely ?Yes,because it's when we slumber that we can easily loose what we have laboured for spiritually during the year. Habbakuk 2:1,1 Kings 3:16-28,Mathew 13:24-26,Jeremiah 29:13, Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Welcome back!Today's message is for anyone that chooses not to settle for less than what God has for them or says about them.Pharaoh negotiated with Moses for him to accept less than what God had said.He refused to let the children go,and only the men were to be freed from Egypt and after two plagues he still refused to release the wealth of the Israelites!We have to demand in prayer all that God has said is ours to have.Refuse to just accept anything that you know is not the total package of what God has for you! (Exodus 10,Daniel 10:12-17,Mathew 11:12, Mathew 16:19,Isaiah 22:22,3 John 1:2)
Can we easily miss hearing God's voice if he speaks in a way that we are not familiar with? We reflect today on how God can choose to speak in a still small voice and other times He thunders so powerfully.The guide for us is our relationship with Him.The more time we spend with God the more assured we will be when He speaks in a way that we are not used to.(Isaiah 30:21, 1 Kings 19:11-12,Revelations 5:5, John 1:29,Psalms 29:3-9)
Which of your hands is stronger? The right one or the left one?David in Psalms 16:8 helps us visualise how in setting God before us( infront of us) and because He is at our right hand, we shall not be moved.How He upholds us with His right hand in Isaiah 41:10So from these two verses we reflect on what God's right hand is, what He does for us and what we find in Him at His right side.(Psalms 16:5-8,11, Isaiah 41:10 & 13,Psalms 44:3, 48:10,98:1)
Welcome back!We reflect on faithfulness today.Can God call you faithful?He has given us gifts to serve others and as His trustees.We reflect on three servants given talents according to their abilities before their master left.While two made returns equal to the talents they received,one did nothing- zero returns!We draw lessons on faithfulness as relates to gifts given to us by our LORD.(Mathew 25:14-30, 1 Peter 4:10)
We reflect today on one of the many unusual instructions God gave as a victory strategy.This was the capture of the city of Jericho. The Children of Israel only did a march,well 13 times on 7 consecutive days and then made a loud shout .That is all it took for a fortified city wall to come crumbling down!Some of God's unusual instructions call for us to exercise our faith because if we rationalise it,we may never step out in obedience. We reflect on what the Lord tests in us in those moments when He gives us such instructions.( Joshua 6, 1 Corinthians 16:9,Hebrews 11:1)
We reflect today on how God leads us to new seasons of growth and gives us a different meal. Just like the weaning of a child who then quietly rests in its mother's arms, so can we.It's the same way the Lord as a shepherd leads His sheep to green pastures and beside still waters. He has beautiful thoughts towards us and is perfecting everything that concerns us.Will you respond to His invitation to rest and quietly trust Him like this weaned child does or like the sheep under the shepherd's care?(Psalms 131, Psalms 23, Psalms 145:16,Psalms 84:11)
God has laid out for us a divine order.On the family front,church,even in Him being a triune God.We reflect on John's reply to his disciples.He knew his place and so when his disciples came to tell him how Jesus was baptising people,he was quick to point out that- He( Jesus) must increase but he( John) must decrease.He wasn't equal to Jesus,he had only been sent to prepare the way for Him.Knowing God's divine order will help us know our place as assigned by God.We can avoid any argument that contradicts God's order.Ultimately,we must move to the sidelines for God to find His expression in us as the centre.For Him to be seen and not us.(John 3:25-31,1 Corinthians 11:3,Isaiah 42:8)
Did you know that words are a type of record?That speaking negatively or having negative words spoken over us remain a written archive and therefore we must erase or blot out such negative handwiting?In such a redeeming way, God has given us the power to write and rewrite beautifully when we use scriptures to speak over our lives and our loves ones.We reflect on what King David said- my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer. ( Psalms 45:1,Proverbs 18:21,Proverbs 21:9,Isaiah 54:17, Colossians 2:14, Job 22: 28)
We continue to study passages about people in the old testament who hosted the ark of the covenant.This symbolised the presence of God.
We will see how we can not afford to be casual - why Uzzah died .That this was also the reason the Israelietes lost the battle to the Philistines and which event saw Eli and his sons die on the same day.
(1 Samuel chapters 4-7, 1 chronicles chapters 13-16, Proverbs 6:31)
Is it possible for us to host God? Does that then mean going to great lengths to host him and does he expect us to prepare as such?
We consider two sisters, Martha and Mary.Despite Jesus being such a special guest, Mary did nothing but sit at His feet.Her sister tried to play the good host but was distracted with the preparations. Jesus applauded Mary.
We reflect on ways we can practically not only host God but also dwell with him- just to sit at his feet.
(Luke 10:38-42, Psalms 91:1)
Is it possible for an ordinary day to be marked by the Lord in His book as our date with destiny?
Could also what may seem like a loss not be a loss at all but only a divinely orchestrated event to inch you closer to what God has in mind for you?That not only do you find what seemed as lost but also take hold of alot more that God has kept for you.
We explore how Saul was having a normal day & went looking for his father's lost donkeys. He returned home as the anointed King of Israel.
(1 Samuel 9, Hebrews 10:7,Proverbs 3:5-6 , Psalms 139:16)
Welcome Back!We are delighted to have you drop by.
Scriptures tell us that every day allotted to us was written in His book.Jesus came to fulfil what was written about Him.King David said so as well.John prepared the way for Jesus but this was written before hand.
Could it be God has written a book about you and I as well?
Our reflection is on the need for us to every so often check with God whether we are aligned to what He wrote about us.
Perhaps fulfilling our God given destiny is about that realignment. ( Psalms 139:16,Luke 4:17-21,Psalms 40:7-8, Hebrews 10:7, Isaiah 55:8-9)
We reflect today on the value of knowing the law which then helps us when presenting matters before the judge.Our lawyers may dress well to look the part and maybe have the gift of gab but that has little or no bearing on our winning matters unless they can present the right provisions of the law and decided cases to persuade the judge.Thank God you and I don't need our learned friends to appear before God!We can approach God directly.We can refuse to be average mediocre once we know what the law of God says about us.We can argue our matters where the enemy is presenting arguments against us.Don't retreat or surrender to anything that contravenes the law of God concerning you.Challenge it with " it is written...!"(Philipians 3:12-16,Psalms 119,Daniel 9:1-2,Deutronomy 6, Isaiah 43:26, Matthew 11:1-14)We also take a break today as we mark 2 years of sharing on this podcast 🙂. Thank you so much for always listening.We will resume on 23rd July 2023,God willing.God keep you& may His word dwell in you richly.
Today we ponder on the question,Can God test if we really love Him? Can He know what is really in our hearts in asking for something precious from us? God tested Abraham and asked him to sacrifice Isaac- the same gift Abraham had waited for, for years! No wonder he didn't tell Sarah about his chat with God:-).Yet in Abraham obeying God he passed this test.God gave him alot more blessings than that which he had been asked to give up.(Genesis 17 and 22,Acts 10)
Loving and being loved might be one of the exciting things to our existence.Today we reflect on being loved and relentlessly pursued by God and how we ought to respond to His love. How our being deeply rooted and beautifully blended in His love will reflect not only in how we love ourselves but certainly in how we give to and receive love from others.That our relationship with Jesus is the ultimate relationship and whose overflow will reflect in every other facet of our lives.( Ephesians 3:18-19, John 3:16, John 10:17-18)
Hey there! Welcome back.Do you know you can speak God's words and not yours? He touched Jeremiah's mouth and made it His mouth piece.His words would destroy, uproot, pull down but would also build and plant.We too have such authority when we speak God's word over circumstances.We could do so in our prayer closets or openly as Jeremiah was told to do.Be discerning of God's instructions.Things change on the authority of God's word. ( Jeremiah 1, 51:20-24,Hebrews 4:12)
We reflect on how after a great victory on slaughtering the prophets of baal,Elijah ran for his life after Jezebel threatened to kill him .He was so discouraged but God met him at that point and led him to a secret place.This was after feeding him the same way when we are discouraged is when we need spiritual food the most for the strengthening of our inner man.In that secret place, He helped Elijah hear His voice above the blowing wind, the earth quake and rocks breaking.His voice was a still small voice. We learn that God's plans will always go as scheduled no matter disruptive events. No one can stand in His way not even us!(1 Kings 18:20& Chapter 19, Psalms 37:7)
Thank you for dropping by.God willing we shall resume next week.May you find your delight in scriptures just as Psalms 1:1& 2 tells us.Every blessing.
We continue to reflect on walking with the Holy Spirit but today's study is on the gifts He gives us for every day living.That if we desire and ask? He will give these to us .We focus mainly on one ; the gift of discernment and draw lessons from the Young prophet who heard God's voice but missed testing the old prophet message from God who actually lied to him about hearing God.It cost him his life!( 1 kings 12&13,1 corinthians 12:6-11, Mathew 7:11,Luke 11:13, Daniel 2,1 John 4:1)
The closer we walk with someone, the more they are likely to see the rough edges in our character.A walk with Holy spirit and He will shine His light on such and its for us to respond.Will you choose to crucify acts of the flesh and for Him to produce His fruit in you?If we abide in God we will bear His fruit .He will help us win the battle between the flesh and the Spirit even as we submit ourselves to His leading.(Galatians 5:17-26, John 15:1-8,2 Corinthians 3:18)
Welcome back! We reflect on times when God seems to move slowly. Jesus stayed where He was when He was informed that His friend Lazarus was sick.He got there 4 days late- when the man was already dead! Yet, He did so on purpose because in raising Lazarus, it brought God the glory and many more believed in Jesus through that miracle.His seemingly slow pace could just be a set up- Him waiting for a bigger crowd of witnesses to your miracle.He is never late and even when it feels like He is? He will turn things around.Be still and trust in His leading even in such times (John 11:1-43, Joshua 2:9-11, Psalms 17:8,Exodus 14:13, Rev 3:7-8)
What foundation are you building on? It's the first part of works during a construction.The most labour intensive, all sorts of heavy equipment is used and you will seem like sinking alot of money with nothing to show as it's underground works.Yet this is the most critical.We reflect on the two builders- one who built his house on the rock having dug deep to reach it while the other one just built on the shallow surface- sand.When seasons changed, the one on the rock stood and the one built on sand could not withstand the wind, the rains and the winds.Be encouraged to do some little spiritual work in digging the foundation for what you build in 2023.(Mathew 7:24-27, Proverbs 3:5-6)
What do you see for your 2023? Today we reflect on how God can help us see what He sees.He showed Jeremiah an almond tree and would later show him more.Once we see, we write down what He shows us so that a herald can run with our vision to God.Your vision will come to pass at His appointed time.Therefore trust Him moment by moment to unfold His vision for your life in this new year.( Jeremiah 1,Hebrews 11:1, Habbakuk 2:2-3, Hebrews 1:14, Proverbs 25:2).
Happy New year! We thank our heavenly Father for allowing us to step in 2023! Today we reflect on a heartfelt prayer that Moses made to God, " Please don't send us from here without your Presence".Be encouraged to revisit moments in the past that may have God not want to step out into 2023 with you.The nation of Isarel had made a golden calf and completely forgotten past victories.So God was not willing to have His presence with them.We pray that He will also fill us with the knowledge of His will for us to do in 2023.Journey with us this year!( Exodus 33:12-17, Psalms 139:16, Col 1:9)
We at Refined Gem want to appreciate everyone of you that has walked with is this year as we have studied and gleaned from scripture together. We most importantly thank God the honour to share on this platform. We look forward to having you join us again next year. Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful start to the new year!
Today we reflect on how God brings people in our lives for us to learn from.Or it could be others to learn from us.Paul made a bold statement- follow me as I follow Christ.The same way that Ruth told Naomi that she would not leave her and her people and her God would be hers.Don't be afraid of living an authentic life.Allowing people in even if it leaves you vulnerable.Paul had a thorn in his flesh but still asked others to emulate him.It's Christ in you that draws people in.Don't take the credit but also don't try to hide the light He has lit in your life.(1 Cor 11:1,Proverbs 27:17,Luke 16:8,2 Cor 3:2-3,Ruth 1)
What mirror are you looking at? Rather have you allowed the enemy to fog your mirror and so can't see your image as God really sees you?We empower the enemy unknowingly by agreeing to what he presents to us about ourselves.We have for instance authority over him but you and i can't know unless we find our identity in Christ through scripture.Ignore the enemy and remind him who you are in God. ( Hebrews 4:3,9,John 8:44,James1:22-25,Ephesians 2:6)
What's the state of your inner man.That's your spirit man that is capable of communing with God.You are as strong as your inner man.Feed him through the study of the word.Pray and fast to build him up.Look out for anything that may contribute to you unknowingly neglecting him.(2 Corinthians 4:16, Proverbs 20:27, Jude 1:20, Psalms 51)
Are you experiencing an abundance of life that the Lord Jesus gives ? Are you able to enjoy the daily benefits that the Lord loads us with or are you caught up in the mundane and the busy way of life that you are missing out on the beauty of now.
We reflect today on how God may redefine for us rest and extend His invitation to us to seasons of rest.Will you choose to respond?
(Psalms 23, 68:19, John 10:10,1 Tim 6:17, John 1:2)
We take a detour and are back to reflecting on David asking God even when the timing seemed perfect and next step was obvious.Saul is dead.He has waited years to be king,why ask if He should go back to Judah his home town where he would be immediately crowned as King? While David heard God's audible voice answer him,we will consider how Holyspirit who knows the mind of God prays for us in accordance with God's perfect will.Provided we are involving God in praying in the Spirit or reading and praying His word, we can trust Him to reveal His mind to us .At least don't move until God speaks.
(2 Samuel 2:1-7, Psalms 37:5,Romans 8:26-27,Psalms 25:12)
Receiving gifts can be exciting be they wrapped unwrapped or even suprise gifts.But what if God gives you an empty gift box meaning all you have is a promise and no tangible evidence of the gift? Is it easy to thank God before we receive? We reflect on King Solomon's response to God answering his request even before he saw tangible evidence.We reflect also on God's response to us when we thank Him.1 Kings 3:1-28,Psalms 35:18.
Can we expect to hear God's voice when we inquire of Him about anything and everything? Should we do so anyway? We draw lessons from David who despite having a record of so many victories in God, he was constantly asking God what to do, if and when to take any action .He was man so dependent on and yielded to God-a beautiful relationship with God that we can learn from.(1 Samuel 23:1-6,2 Samuel 15:17-25,1 Samuel 30:1-20, 1 John 5:14-15).
What's the motive behind what you do for God or in His name? Do we share His message or ours? Today we reflect on how we are to rely on God to keep us and our motives in check in whichever circle of influence He has placed us.That we are to decrease as He increases for our works shall be tested.(Proverbs 16:2,Psalms 19:12,Psalms 26:2, James 4:3,1 Cor 3:13,1 Thess 2:4,Jeremiah 17:10)
Does stepping into the last quarter of this year make you feel anxious,content, defeated or happy?Are you far from where you had hoped to be at this time of the year inspite of all efforts you have put this far?
We reflect on Simon being asked by Jesus to launch into the deep and let down his nets again.How he allowed Jesus to use his boat to teach and got an out of season miracle- just because he responded to the word from Jesus in trying again where he had failed.
(Luke 5:1-11,Isaiah 55:10-11,Proverbs 23:18, Proverbs 13:12)
Given,God is always doing something new in our lives. Do we step into the new with the old mind set?The Pharisees and disciples of John the Baptist did not discern that they were in a new paradigm.That Jesus being around meant the new had come what they had been waiting for. Jesus told them that no one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.
Whenever God is doing something new, it's a call for us to have our minds renewed for us to be able to step and function in the new. Match your new with the new- not doing so and you will destroy the old and will loose the new. (Mathew 9:14-17 ,Proverbs 23:7,Romans 12:1-2)
What heights are you trying to reach?Have you talked to God about them? Are you trying to do so by your strength?
It's God's desire for us to increase,to progress& to go up higher.Ascending often involves a stretch or effort of some sort.It's much easier to descend- force of gravity helps in the descent anyway.
David likens the ascent when God is leading us,with that of a deer which can move it's hind feet to the same spot its front feet are.This graceful animal is able to maintain its balance and therefore support its weight on two feet instead of four without falling.
Be encouraged to rely on God and His strength as you scale up heights He has set for you.When you rely on Him,He will make your steps firm and will uphold you with His righteous hand.
(Habakkuk 3:19, Psalms 18:30-33, Psalms 37: 23,Psalms 61:1)
Allowing God to lead us is an acknowledgement that apart from Him we have no good thing. You can then be assured that what He leads you to has His approval as accompanied by His peace.As He leads you and I in paths of righteousness for His names sake it then means we ought to be okay and comfortable with not knowing or with the waiting or being silent in God.It's trusting God to lead ;to answer your prayer His way, His timing and on His terms.We are only able to do so when we can trust in the character of God and the integrity of His word.That He has precious thoughts toward you.His thoughts and ways are higher and greater than ours.Trust God to lead you to that good and perfect gift in His perfect timing.( Psalms 16,James 1:17,Isaiah 58:11,Psalms 84:11,Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Did you know God can allow us to walk in unfamiliar paths or allow unsettling circumstances just for Him to get our attention?
The absence of peace may at times mean God is not in it and if He is, then He is trying to get us to listen.
Psalms 23 shows us how the Lord as a shepherd leads His sheep in green pastures and beside quiet waters.We can not separate God's leading from His peace.
(Psalms 23 , Isaiah 30:15,Numbers 23:19)
Welcome back to Refined Gem!
God has promised to lead us and will often invite us to put our hand in His and follow His lead.We may get distracted or wonder which path to take but He has promised to make His voice clear to us when we turn to the right or the left.
Trust God even on the unfamiliar paths .He is making every crooked place straight and darkness light.
Isaiah 30:21,42:6 & 16.
God changes the times and seasons for us.He also says there is a season for everything.It may however not be easy for you and I to know when a season has changed or is changing.The sons of Issachar not only understood the times but also what Israel was to do.We can also pray for such discernment so that we are not doing the right thing at the wrong time or we are found at the wrong places at the right time.
Today's episode is the last one after a year since we began this podcast! God has been so faithful!
That on it's own is a season and we will therefore be reflecting on what's next in the next season here at Refined Gem.
Thank you for listening to us for a whole year and sharing links with others.We are truly honored by our audience across various continents🙂🙏🏿 .
May God watch over you and keep you hidden in His word until when we resume in mid July 2022, God willing.
It's bye for now .
( Ecclesiastes 3:1,Daniel 2:21, James 5:7,Isaiah 43:18-19,1 Chronicles 12:32,Psalms 139)
Hello!
As always, thanks for passing by.
We take a very short break and hope to be back next week.
Stay blessed!
Realising that the life of a believer is often like a wrestling match can be quite sobering.We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers, principalities & rulers in darkness.
God leads us to a place of rest but from the life of David, that doesn't necessarily mean the absence of spiritual battles or strife but that God takes over and fights for us.
Strengthen your inner man through prayer and fasting, worship and other spiritual disciplines to be able to wrestle. The same way the wrestlers work on their physical strength. (Ephesians 6:10-18,2 Corinthians 2:11,2Samuel 15-19,2 Samuel 7:1,Corinthians 10:4, Exodus 13:17- Exodus 14)
Happy Easter Sunday!On a day like today thousands of years ago, Jesus rose up again from the dead.That gave us victory over the enemy.In our reflection today we consider Simon Peter's response to Jesus when Jesus asked the 12 disciples if they would also leave.Many found the teaching of Jesus hard to understand .How was he from heaven when they had watched him growing up? We will consider possible reasons for Simon Peter's response. (John 6:41-70,Luke 5:1-11,Mathew 14:23-33, Luke 4:38-39)
We continue with our study and reflect on what it means for us to dig trenches in expectation for the floods.Three kings were asked to dig trenches and in the morning they had been filled with water supernaturally.They then got water for their soldiers and their animals. We have a part to play in God meeting with us as we seek Him through scriptures.The same way that there were four types of grounds on which the farmer' s seeds fell in the parable of the shower. We will consider what type of soil we are; which determines how deep in God we go.
(2 Kings 13 and Matthew 13)
Water is symbolically used to represent the word of God and the Holyspirit.We reflect on Ezekiel's vision as a man led him to the temple from where water flowed.He led him into the water and would measure the depth - he was led from ankle depth , knee and waist length until when he could not cross and where one must swim.Holy Spirit will lead us deep into the things of God and His word if we respond to his invitation and leading .The waters would cause things to grow, brought healing and cleansing.That's what the word of God does in our lives as we immerse ourselves in it.
( Ezekiel 47,Ephesians 5:25-26,John 7:38-39,14:26,Psalms 42:7,107:9,Revelation 22:1-5)
The enemy pries on us whenever we are in need or perhaps a desire that is not fully surrendered to God.He was the first to meet Jesus after Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and nights. Jesus was obviously hungry and so satan asked him to turn stones into bread. Since the enemy seeks a legal right to access our lives we must guard our hedge and be able to tell when what is presented to us at certain times is a temptation by the enemy and not a test from God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalms 5:21,Isaiah 64:6,Ecclesiastes 8:10, James 1:13-15,Mathew 4:1-11,Genesis 4:6-7)
What doors have you left open unknowingly and have a mess made by what you let in? Or which ones do you need to shut?Our ears,eyes and mind are gates.Words spoken by people that care about us or even acquaintances or workmates from a place of good intention but not aligned with what God says about us can make a mess once they access our gates.We reflect on the power of spoken words as well as putting to the test any words we hear against the word of God.
(Proverbs 18:21, Mathew 16:21-23, Romans 12:2,2 Timothy 2:15 , Acts 17:11, James 1:23)
Jesus had no form of majesty nor beauty to be desired. The centurion looked beyond as he understood the Authority of Jesus- being a man in and under authority himself. " Just say the word" and his servant was instantly healed. Sometimes that's all we need, for God to speak only one word into our lives and everything changes.Yet even when we don't get immediate answers we are encouraged not to throw away our confidence in God as it will be richly rewarded. (Mathew 8:5-13, 1John 5:14-15,Hebrews 10:35-38)
We take a short break but back on 13th March 2022, God willing.Stay plugged in the word and remain blessed.
We can have spiritual sight in addition to our physical sight.Jeremiah saw an almond tree and God explained to him what He saw with his spiritual eyes.The blind man at Bethsaida saw men like trees after Jesus spat on him and touched his eyes. Seeing right means being able to also pray right.We can see right by relying on the Holy Spirit for no eye has seen what God has prepared for those that love Him but it's been revealed to us through His Holy Spirit .We therefore then have Holy Spirit as the perfect prayer partner as He also prays for us as aligned with what is in God's mind for us.
(Jeremiah 1:12-13,Amos 7:8,Mark 8:22-25, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, Romans 8:26)
The imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit is very precious in God's sight. Yet we often do not have control of people and circumstances for us to maintain such calmness in our inner man.The disciples panicked when there was a storm while at sea yet Jesus was asleep in the boat.They didn't know who they were nor who was in the boat with them. Sometimes we just need to speak " peace be still" same way that Moses told Israelites to be still when they had Egyptians in hot pursuit and the Red sea infront of them.
(1Peter 3:3-4,Mark 4:35-41 , Exodus 14)
We can expect to hear the voice of God through His spirit as we pray,fast or worship.He also gives an inner witness not just to us but to others as well.He spoke to Cornelius in a vision as He prayed .At the same time He also spoke to Peter in trance while he also prayed and prepared Peter's heart to receive the three messengers that Cornelius had been instructed to send to Peter. God works behind the scenes through the ministry of angels as we pray. (Acts 10:1-48; 13:1-3, Psalms 103:20,1Peter 3:12)
We reflect on Daniel's secret of his strength.The enemy sought to oppose Daniel but he remained devoted to his lifestyle of prayer while serving in the 4 pagan kingdoms.( Daniel 6).In the eyes of others he was very successful but his devotion to God in secret was his anchor.Even Joshua was given a promise of good success all his life yet this was attached to the condition of him observing the law of God( Joshua 1).Make time for God in prayer and the study of scripture this year as a secret of your strength. No one will be able to stand before you.
Do you know the secret of your strength?Success in life by God's standards may not be as defined by the world as He alone puts in us what we need to do well in life.Samson's secret of his strength was in his uncut hair.The moment the Philistines learnt of it, they ensured it was cut.His secret was out and he lost to his enemies. (Judges 13-16, 2 Corinthians 2:11)
We at Refined Gem want to appreciate everyone of you that has journeyed with us the past eight months as we have studied and gleaned from scripture together.
We most importantly thank God for His grace, gifting and the honour to share on this platform.
We look forward to having you join us again next year.
Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful start to the new year!
The Lord Jesus before being crucified prayed to His father saying He had Glorified God on earth and had finished the work He had been given to do.His last words were " It is finished". How come then we do not always experience the fullness of all that Christ did for us & our loved ones? Healing, salvation,deliverance...As we search scriptures, we discover alot that He did and we only need to claim it in prayer through His word.
(John17:4,John 19, Galatians 3:13,Hebrew 9:28)
My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. You may have learnt to hear God's voice but do you trust his voice? Have you developed a relationship with God to differentiate His voice from the voice of a stranger and even your own thoughts ? Do you trust him enough to respond in faith and step out ? Peter was bold enough to ask Jesus to command him to walk on water but the moment he moved his eyes from Jesus to the boisterous winds he began to sink.
(Mathew 14:28-32, John 10:27)
Jesus being also God humbled Himself in obedience and laid down His life for us.God then exalted Him and has given Him a name that is above every other name.Every knee shall bow at the mention of that name.We can also appropriate the name of Jesus and exercise our authority in God and receive healing, deliverance,victory and a lot more.
(Philippian 2:9-11, Acts 4:12,Mark 16:16)
GOD created all things on earth and in heaven including dominions or principalities or powers.They were all created through Him and for Him. We are to therefore co exist together with even what opposes God's kingdom which we become apart of when we accept Jesus. We therefore must understand the authority given to us to walk in victory on a day to day basis. (Key references: Colossians 1:13-17,Ephesians 1:19-22, Isaiah 54:16-17,Psalms 34:7,Job 22:28)
Are you often inclined to speak to God about the significant matters in your life? God cares about even the little details concerning us.Jesus said that whoever did not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it.He desires for us to have childlike faith. To trust him in even the small matters and while at it ,our level of intimacy with Him grows.It becomes easy to believe even for the big things.
(Mark 10:13-14, 1 John 5:14-15)
Be careful what you do when you can't see.
Sarai couldn't see the promised child so she gave Abram her servant girl to bear him a son.Elisha's servant couldn't see the horses and chariots of fire on their side so he panicked.
As Elisha prayed " open our eyes Lord so that we may see "
(Gen15:4 &16:2,2 Kngs 6:8-22)
Are there circumstances that won't respond to prayer or fasting?If you have grown weary of pushing in prayer, perhaps consider engaging a different spiritual weapon- worship.We draw lessons from King Jehoshaphat and God revealing a different facet of who He is as a man of war but through worship.
(2 chronicles 20, Jeremiah 23:29)
We draw lessons on rest earn from the life of Jesus while He was on earth.He would often withdraw to be alone but often times he would be praying.He withdrew just before he began his ministry, when his cousin was beheaded, after ministering to people.We find rest as we spend time with God in solitary moments. (Mark 1, Mathew 14:14)
Is it possible for us to be consumed by our circumstances that we do not realise our time of visitation by the Lord?Might we be putting God in a box by expecting him to move at a certain time or in a specific way?We draw lessons from the paralytic man at the pool of Bethesda and blind Bartimaeus in their encounters with Jesus. (John 5:1-15,Mark 10:46-52)
We may create times for rest for our physical bodies but may unknowingly neglect seeking rest for our inner man. In quieting ourselves in God, we get renewed, are able to pray from a place a rest and can hear God more clearer when our soul is at rest.Be alert to any threats to your pursuit of stillness as the enemy knows the benefits we draw from God. (Isaiah 58:11 & Psalms 131)
Thank you for always listening.
Refined Gem takes a short break and will resume on 10th October 2021. Be encouraged to continue gleaning from God's word.
Stay blessed.
Murmuring is often to distasteful to the one giving. Israelites grumbled against God and Moses forgetting all God had done for them.God sent them fiery serpents and many died.How easy is it for us to keep giving when we are the ones receiving ingratitude to those we have extended a hand?( Numbers 21:4-5,Galatians 6:9)
Is your inner man guilty just by looking at garments worn? Today we consider how we can violate the law of God just by our spiritual dressing and how satan can bring charges against us on that basis alone.(Zechariah 3:1-10)
Why do we go to great lengths to prepare ourselves for specific events by how we dress? Is it possible to work on the outward man but the inner man is not dressed right and the inner man sabotages us?
(Esther 2,Luke 12:35-38)
Do you have a word from the Lord?How do you refrain from helping God to perfect what He shared with you.We draw lessons from Rebekah who went ahead to help God causing her sons Esau and Jacob pain, brewing hatred and years of separation . (Genesis 24,25 &27)
Have you been able to identify ways the LORD speaks to You? Might you be tempted to confirm with others what you know was what God shared with you?Jesus promised us the Holyspirit who searches God's mind concerning us and guides us on paths to take. (Isaiah 30:21;John:16:15-25)
There are names we may have or that others may be call us based on our present but temporal circumstances that others identify us with. Yet in joining the family of God He gives us new names and is able to change our names by also turning our temporal circumstances around.Jacob's name was changed to Israel.God blessed Jabez whose name meant pain.(Genesis 32:22-32& 1 chronicles 4:9-10)
God predestined the adoption of Moses( born a Hebrew) by Pharaoh's daughter. He had an Egyptian name,accessed privileges and rights as a son of an Egyptian Royal-All for the Israelites future deliverance.
When we believe in Jesus,God adopts us as His sons as He predestined in love. He cancels our debt to sin, gives us His name and makes us heirs of His kingdom. (Galatians 4:4-7,Exodus 2:1-10)
Is it possible to be in the family of God but not understand what is accessible to us as his children? Is it also possible to be satisfied with what a servant would have a right to? Unlike the prodigal son who asked for his share of his inheritance and squandered it,his brother was always with his father but did not know that all that his father had was his as of right.
(Luke 15:11-31)
God's favour not only sustains us in places of divine appointment, but it also acts as a shield for us.Having confidence in the one who holds our lives should then lead us to act wisely as we delicately handle our interactions with others.David wisely handled the love and favor of Jonathan and Michal but balanced it against King Saul's hatred.1Samuel 18.
Many scholars have written on when to apply our emotional intelligence over and above our IQ.Yet there are some situations that no level of education can help us navigate unless we are to receive Godly wisdom.Abigael delicately but wisely balanced the wrath of David,the future King of Israel and Nabal's folly. (1 Samuel 25:2-44)
Authority is ordained of God thus we will often be under some form of authority-by virtue of position, governance or relationship. Should we then not cover our leaders in prayer? Should a Haman succeed to negatively influence your King to issue a decree against you, can you not reverse it in prayer the same way Esther and the Jews also reversed what conflicted with God’s purposes for their lives?
Esther 3-10
Sometimes God will give us information but as an invitation for us to partner with Him in prayer.What we sometimes feel is a 'hunch'or a 'gut feeling' is possibly His Holyspirit giving us intelligence into issues we would normally not know but for us to prayerfully keep watch.(Genesis 18:16-33 Judges 7:13-16)
What you are able to build up or gather in your season of rest may be what sustains you in moments when you may be unable to pray or study scriptures.
Like the tree planted by the river whose leaves never wither, having your roots deep in God will keep you connected to the source even through the dry seasons of your spiritual life. (Psalms 1)
Might God have spoken a word of promise to you but nothing agrees or He seems to now be silent?He might be taking you through a process- preparing and imparting in you what you'll need to function in the office of that promised word- when He brings it to pass.It took David years from the time of being anointed to when he actually became the King of Israel. (1 Samuel 16-25)
It's easier to believe when we have actual proof but faith works the other way round. We believe then see it.It took faith for Noah to see the reality of God's warning of floods thus built an ark & saved his family.Zechariah on his part asked for proof to believe the LORD that he& his wife would be parents at their old age. God shut his mouth so as not to cancel his blessing through doubt. (Genesis 6, Luke 1)
God is always speaking but sometimes His voice is drowned in many other voices around us. King David blessed the LORD for His counsel acknowledging that his heart instructed him in the night seasons- when all is still. Samuel heard God call his name in the silence of the night. We hear God more clearly when we are at rest and in the stillness of our hearts and minds.
(Psalms 16:7,1 Samuel 3)
When we are aware of the indwelling of the presence of God, the enemy will not be able to withstand us .Darkness and light can not co exist.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.
Is it possible to create a space where the presence of God is tangibly felt? Genesis 28:16
While sin takes us away from God's presence, sometimes simple distractions or our pursuit of good& important things like a successful career, family,being busy in the mundane activities of life that ends up turning the important things to be the ultimate things.These may unknowingly pull us away from His presence.
Return to check in with God ,strive to stay in His presence whichever way returning or staying means in your walk with Him.Better still ask for His help 🙂. (Genesis 3, 1 Samuel 28, 2 Samuel 12:1-13)
Moses was not aware that his face was radiant that the Israelites were afraid to come near him.He had spent days & nights in the Presence of God.
Always yearning for the presence of the Lord, he knew nothing else would distinguish Israel from any other nation thus pleaded to be led of God.
Peter & John- unschooled & ordinary men spoke so boldly.It left no doubt that they had been with Jesus.
We can't remain the same when we have been with Jesus. (Ex 33,34& Acts 4)
Victory is guaranteed when we understand the spiritual strategy to engage in any challenge we face.Sometimes, it may take helpers in prayer holding us up as we face the challenge head on.Refined Gem explores how a team engaged a physical and spiritual battle strategy to win.
Thank you for joining us as we seek to hear the voice of God through the study of scriptures.