Refining Circumstances = Defining Character

Our circumstances, although not always pleasant, are many times the tools that God chooses to both refine and define us, in order to purify our character as well as our commitment to Him. 

The definition of REFINE according to Webster’s is “to remove unwanted material; to purify”. 

Many times God takes us through a refining period by placing us in unlikely circumstances. 

Today we’re going to take a look at a few people in scripture that God chose to place in difficult circumstances allowing their character to be both refined and defined- all for His Glory.

God used refining circumstances all throughout scripture to define one’s character.

Take Joseph for instance: Sold into slavery by his brothers, wrongfully accused by Potipher’s wife and then thrown into prison- it was these unlikely refining circumstances that were defining his character.  His love and faithfulness to God were evident as you read about his life in Genesis chapters 39-50.  Genesis 50:20 states it best as Joseph explains to his brothers how his refining circumstances defined his View of God; “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph was truly a man of character who was evidently refined and defined by his circumstances.

Not only do we see refining circumstances in the life of Joseph, but we could look at the life of Samuel and see how at age 3 his mother Hannah obediently left him at the temple with Eli the priest to be raised up and used for God’s glory.  Unlikely circumstances at the least, to think that your mother would leave you at such a young age- but as we continue to read of how God used Samuel for his glory, it is evident to see how his life was refined and his character defined.

Then, there’s Esther- once again, a person of refining circumstances! Orphaned as a child and raised by her uncle- Her refining circumstances defined her trust in the Lord. God used her as an intercessor for the Jews and although it could have cost her life, Esther knew God had used every situation and circumstance to bring her to the place of trust in Him. Thus her words in Esther 4:16 is a defining moment in her character and commitment as she states, “… I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

The last man we’ll take a glance at is Daniel! Placed  again in unfortunate circumstances, Daniel stands as a role model for showing us that our circumstances will not only refine us- but also define us in order that God can truly use us for His Glory! 

Daniel was taken from his family and home in Judah around the age of 15, to be trained in the Babylonian Culture. It’s evident that his character and commitment were truly refined and defined as we see how Daniel had resolved not to be indoctrinated by this wicked culture.  Daniel’s faithfulness to his beliefs proved God’s faithfulness in the midst of his circumstances. Daniel found favor over and over again (as God promises in Proverbs 3:3&4) and was truly used by God. He chose to stand firm on his beliefs and not give in to the ways of the land, thus allowing God to receive all of the glory from his life.

We must seek to help the NEXT GENERATION realize that our circumstances in life can be viewed as tools that our sovereign God is using in our lives for His Glory.  May we all come to a point in our life that we too can say as Joseph, “ God intended it for good to accomplish what now is being done, the saving of many lives.”

I would love to hear how God has used your circumstances to refine and define you- For His Glory!

Thanks for stopping by and Blessings From the Hollowell Home!

Praying Specifically for the NEXT GENERATION

Specific is defined by Webster’s as: distinctly specified

As I was studying scripture this week, I found it wonderfully encouraging, yet at the same time, strongly convicting, that so many people who prayed throughout scripture prayed specifically.  Whether it was the disciples in Acts 1:24 praying specifically about who should take the place of Judas, or Jacob in Genesis 32:9-12 praying specifically about his meeting with Esau, they are beautiful reminders that we should pray about Everything! 

I fear we many times pray quick on the run prayers, and we fail to see the Power of the Amazing, Mighty God that we serve.  God longs to hear and answer our prayers, yet I wonder… how many specific prayers is He hearing.  I know when He does hear and answer our prayers, people all around us are encouraged as we share our stories of ONLY what God could do. 

Take for example, my dad shared with me how he and a friend had been praying for months about money needed for a mission in Honduras.  He works with an orphanage in Honduras who had been given the money to pour a concrete slab for a building, but they had not had the money to put the tin roof on the building.  It seemed every time that I talked with my dad he would tell me of how God was supplying the money~ yet, they were still lacking $25,000 for the roof. 

He and his friends decided to pray SPECIFICALLY about God providing that money and pray that it would come in by a certain time.  Well, several days passed and then I got a call from my dad on a Sunday afternoon and He was beyond excited and praising God. 

While at church a lady walked up to him and gave him a check for $15,000 saying that God had told her specifically to give towards this building.  Soon after that, his friend called him to say that a man had given him a check for another $5000 for the building… WOW! God is good.  And just to show you that we serve an all powerful, mighty, supply our needs God… as my dad was walking (or probably skipping) to his car, someone else walked up and gave him the last of the $25,000… another check for $5000.  What a mighty God we serve. 

So now, I challenge you, as I challenge myself…  Let’s PRAY SPECIFICALLY for our Children and the NEXT GENERATION!

Nehemiah prayed Specifically in Nehemiah 6:9 that God would strengthen his hands.  In James 5:17 we are reminded that Elijah prayed specifically that it would not rain. Oh the joy of praying about EVERYTHING from hands to rain!!

Below are some scriptures that I am striving to pray specifically for my son and for my nieces and nephews! May we find joy in praying specific scripture for the NEXT GENERATION!!

A-             That he would have the ATTITUDE of Christ… Philippians 2:5

B-             That he would be BOLD AND STOUTHEARTED … Psalm 138:3

C-             That he would be COURAGEOUS. Joshua 1:9

D-            That he would be DEVOTED TO PRAYER. Colossians 4:2

E-             That he would be an ENCOURAGER. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

F-             That he would be FAITHFUL. Proverbs 3:3

G-             That he would be GENEROUS. Proverbs 11:25

H-            That he would HIDE GODS WORD IN HIS HEART. Ps. 119:11

I-              That he will be a MAN OF INTEGRITY. 1 Chronicles 9:17

J-              That he LOVES JESUS with all of his heart. Luke 10:27

K-            That he is KIND. Ephesians 4:32

L-             That he is a godly LEADER. Isaiah 55:4

M-           That he is MERCIFUL. James 2:13

N-            That he is NEIGHBORLY. Matthew 19:18&19

O-            That he is OBEDIENT to God’s Word. 2 John verse 6

P-             That he is PATIENT. Galatians 5:22

Q-            That he has a QUICK to listen James 1:19

R-             That he is RESOLVED to do what’s right Daniel 1:8

S-             That he SEEKS first the kingdom of God Matt 6:33

T-             That he is TEACHABLE Psalm 25:4&5

U-            That he has an Undivided Heart Psalm 86:11

V-             That he has Vision Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

W-           That he WHOLEHEARTEDLY serves the Lord Ephesians 6:7

X-             That he is a godly eXample to others 1 Corinthians 11:1

Y-             That he flees the evil desires of YOUTH 2 Timothy 2:22

Z-             That he is never lacking in ZEAL for the Lord. Romans 12:11

I would love to hear how you are praying SPECIFICALLY!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Also- a great book to read on praying specifically is THE CIRCLE MAKER by Mark Batterson

Blessings from the Hollowell Home

Prayer, Purpose and the NEXT GENERATION (Day 2)

Today's post is a continuation of our previous post on Prayer, Purpose and the Next Generation...

I am striving to put together at least a week's worth of praying scripture over Hudson- Alphabetically... (I feel certain that there are enough scriptures :)

I have found myself, since becoming a mommy, being consumed with fear and anxiousness some days.  The fact that my husband and I are responsible for this adorable little guy can be overwhelming. 

For those who know me, know that I'm a little absent minded sometimes... I mean seriously, I have yet to go somewhere with Hudson that I haven't left a burp cloth, bib, bottle, or a piece of his clothing! (Thankfully, I have always come home with him... :) but I truly desire to know that I am doing what I'm supposed to do as a mommy and that I'm not forgetting the most important things of teaching him God's Word and Prayer!

This leads us to our key verse- Philippians 4:6 which says: 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving- present your request to God."

I am desiring, as a mommy, to strive to not only read the bible- but to believe it and do what it says. I am finding that I can pray about EVERYTHING!!! Burp cloths included :) 

As we strive to reach and teach the NEXT GENERATION the truths of God's Word, may we have the understanding and desire to pray about EVERYTHING when it comes to our sweet kids and to THANKFULLY present our request to God.  What a sweet privilege this is!!

I realize that my son is only 7 months old- but someone told me a while back, that if I started making this a practice now, it would soon become a habit :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings to you from the Hollowell Home

PRAYING SCRIPTURE OVER YOUR CHILD- ALPHABETICALLY

A-    That his ACTIONS are accompanied by faith. (James 2:17)

B-    That he BECOMES all things to all men so that some will be saved. (1 Corinthians 9:22)

C-    That he will CAST all of his cares on the Lord. (Psalm 55:22)

D-    That he would DEFEND the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:9)

E-    That he would have EARS to hear the voice of the Lord. (Matthew 11:15)

F-    That he is FAITHFUL (2 Samuel 22:26)

G-    The he will GO into all the world and preach the GOSPEL (Matthew 28:19)

H-   That he will HEED correction and gain understanding. (Proverbs 15:32)

I-     That the Lord will INCREASE his faith. (Luke 17:5)

J-      That he will act JUSTLY as the Lord requires. (Micah 6:8)

K-    That he KEEPS his promises, even when it hurts. (Psalm 15:4)

L-    That he LET’S his LIGHT shine among men. (Matthew 5:16)

M-   That he has the MIND of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

N-    The he NEVER tires in doing what is right. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

O-    That he will look after ORPHANS and widows. (James 1:27)

P-    That he finds out what PLEASES the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10)

Q-    That he will possess the QUALITIES of great faith. (2 Peter 1:8)

R-    That he READS God’s Word and is blessed. (Revelation 1:3)

S-     The he is SPIRIT FILLED. (Ephesians 5:18)

T-    The he TAKES every THOUGHT captive unto the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

U-    That he is an UPRIGHT man who gives thought to his ways. (Proverbs 21:29)

V-    That he will listen to the VOICE of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 30:20)

W-  That WHATEVER he does is for the glory of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

X-    That he will EXALT the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:28)

Y-    That he will not be YOKED together with an unbeliever. (2 Cor. 6:14)

Z-    That ZION will be his foundation and trust! (Isaiah 28:16)