God's refining us - wrapping it up

Good evening family. To end our look this week at the way God refines us, challenges us, and uses us is a glimpse into Noah. When we're called to do something extraordinary for God, we have to be ready to respond. Noah was righteous (Gen 6:9), but everyone thought he was a little on the crazy side. They lived in a desert, but he's building a boat? One of the refining trials may be that you are asked to do something "crazy" in the eyes of the world. God always has a reason for it though. Next was the flood - guess who survived that storm because he listened and obeyed God! Be still and know that He is God. He loves you. Seek Him first in the trials you face. Be blessed!

In Christ,
Jason and Victor

God's refining of us (continued)

Good evening family. We see examples of God's refining throughout all of scripture. Let's look at one example in Exodus 3:1-12 tonight. God set Moses up. It was the perfect distraction for interaction. God set a bush on fire, but kept it from burning up. It caught Moses' attention, and during the conversation that took place, God revealed to Moses what he was going to do. Once God told him he was going to lead the Israelites to freedom, Moses was full of questions. Isn't that the same as we are? Yet God gives us the way, the reassurance He will accomplish what He needs done, and more! Do you listen when God speaks to you in the fires? Be quiet, listen, then be blessed!

In Christ,
Jason and Victor

Malachi 3:3-4 - Being refined

Family, in this next session, we are going to look at how we are refined by God during our lives. To begin, head over to Malachi 3:3-4. This is a very powerful passage for us. When a purifier of silver works a piece of silver over, they use a fairly simple, but sometimes drawn out process. They put the silver into the fire - a fire of very intense heat - and after its been in the fire for a while, they will remove it from the flames. Then they will inspect it for blemishes, shape it a little, then return it to the fire. Each time they bring it back out, they are looking for something very important - their reflection. If scripture tells us we are made in God's image, would He not treat us the same way? He wants to see Himself in us! May you be blessed as He refines you.

God continues to allow us to go through the fires of trials so we can grow our relationship with Him through these trials. He desires that we walk so closely with Him, that our steps are one in the same. When you are getting ready for the day, you look in the mirror to make sure you are happy with the way you look, right? You see the outside, God sees the inside. He continues to look there until He sees an image reflecting Him located in your heart! We have to realize that God is refining us, especially when it hurts! He is teaching us something  - growing us to be more like Him!

God will allow us to experience fires (trials) to continue molding us. He has already established our foundation - we were made in His likeness, so the work that remains is His continuing labor of love. This is where James 1:2 becomes so important when we realize that the trials/testing of our faith is a way God is building our relationship with Him, and continuing to shape us, the meaning of the trials become more clear. We have to remember that He is trying to teach, love, and draw us closer to Him through it all! Allow yourself to become more of what He wants you to be!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Jason and Victor

Psalm 46 wrap up

Family, Psalm 46:8-11 will finish up our study of this psalm. We see peace abound in the name of the Lord. Wars shall cease, He breaks the bow and He shatters the spear. He burns the fields with fire. All of these things signify the end of conflict. We can't miss the point here for our lives. Verse 10 (I know I've driven this verse hard this week, but....) signifies the way for us to obtain a peace like this and silence our inner strife. "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD." Allow God to be the one who makes the changes in your life! Allow Him to bless you! Be blessed as He moves!

Jason & Victor

Daily Devotional - Psalm 46, Day 4

Good evening family! Verse 6 - 7 of Psalm 46 is where we are headed tonight. Here in verse 6, we see total chaos. Nations in uproar, kingdoms falling apart... and the earth melting! That can't be good, right? All those events speak of destruction, no safety, danger -- all things we should be concerned about. But then we see verse 7 - "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." Wow - safety in God. We can rest there. Then we are reminded again of verse 10 - "Be still and KNOW that I am God." There is a holy sanctuary and peace we have when we take refuge in God. Crawl up in His lap and rest. Be blessed!

In Christ,
Jason and Victor

Psalm 46 - Day 3

Good evening family. Verses 4 and 5 tell us that God sits in the middle of His city. We get a vision of peace concerning this city - it has a river that makes the city glad, for it is "the holy habitation of the Most High". Then the strength and reassurance appear in verse 5. God is in the city and shall NOT be moved. There's strength for us when God is in the center of our lives, just like this city. "God will help it when the morning dawns." He is the constant source of help for us! Why would you think He wouldn't help us? If He blesses us with a new day, and we honestly seek His will, He will guide and bless us through it! Be a blessing!

In Christ,
Jason and Victor

Psalm 46 walkthrough, days 1 & 2

Good evening family! Psalm 46 is our study text for this week. I want us to focus on verse 10, particularly the first part of it each day this week. This is so very very important. "Be still and know that I am God." No matter what situation you are faced with, no matter what inner struggle you are fighting, BE STILL. Allow God to work in your life especially at that moment. There is a reason He is God. Give Him the opportunity to show you that reason. Peace, be still. God loves you. Allow Him to love you.

Psalm 46:1-3 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength. No matter what happens around us, we should not fear for anything - God is in control. He is our very present help in time of need. Remember to reflect on verse 10 - "Be still and know that I am God." Allow God to love you. Spend time with Him today.

In Christ,
Jason and Victor

Cornerstone Cafe Ministries Joins with I See The Light

Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ!


"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

     You may recognize that greeting as the one Paul uses to open his writing in the New Testament. The message in it is clear. It is powerful, timeless, and speaks directly to our relationships as members of the family of Christ.
     Let me begin by saying thank you for taking the time to read the devotionals Victor forwards to you. If you read this blog and are not receiving them currently, please contact Victor at Murillos8@att.net to begin receiving them. I pray that these devotionals are as much of a blessing to you as they are to me while I am writing them. I am blessed daily as I spend time in The Word, seeking God's will for these writings, and I pray that God speaks to your heart as you read them.
     As Victor mentioned as he forwarded the devotional earlier this week, my name is Jason Webb. My family and I live in Morganton, North Carolina, and we love Jesus with all we are. God's grace has reached in so many times during our lives and pulled us out of the weeds... similar to the way Pharaoh's daughter did Moses in Exodus 2. We are forever thankful to God for His grace and mercy.
     The devotional writings are just a part of what God is leading Cornerstone Cafe Ministries to do. Please pass these devotionals along to others, as they are God's inspired words. Feel free to share them, and pray that they bless those who receive them.
     I have a brother in Christ, Stephen Hines, who is helping develop Cornerstone Cafe Ministries into more of the vision God has given me. We are building a branch of the ministry that is reaching out to America's enlisted personnel, beginning with the National Guard, and prayerfully searching for opportunities to move forward from there. We also do speaking engagements at youth events, churches, community events, and other opportunities as God opens those doors.
     There is also more to the written ministry section of Cornerstone Cafe Ministries. The devotionals will be made into a book series, with sections for times of personal reflection after each teaching. My testimony - orchestrated by God, lived out and put in book format by me - is also in the process of being published by Westbow Press. It will be released in the coming months. There are more books to be written, as God has provided visions and encouragements for them. Our brother Victor will be the topic of one of the upcoming books, as God has blessed him with a tremendous testimony that has to be shared with the world. Cornerstone Cafe Ministries is also developing a men's accountability study and conference series - "Unbreakable Men Of An Unshakeable Faith". We are also in the process of setting up the ministry as a 501(c)(3), developing a website, and many more exciting opportunities in which God is creating openings.
     I humbly ask for your prayerful support as we begin our trip down this exciting road God has opened up in our lives. Please keep those of us involved in Cornerstone Cafe Ministries and our families in your prayers. Myself, Stephen, Victor, and those still to come all appreciate your prayers. What God establishes, the enemy hates. We know and accept the fact that the enemy is going to attack us in every way possible to attempt to prevent us from following where God leads. But with God's divine intervention, His grace and protection, and the prayerful support of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we will be able to accomplish what He  needs us to do.
    
     Thank you, and may God bless you and your family.

Humbly in His service,
Jason