Refined By Affliction

Photo by Ryan, Venice Beach, Florida

First off, thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement the last few days. God is good, and I was able to eat more yesterday and today. The Lord showed me that He has been refining me in the furnace of affliction. This is all for His glory and my good, and I trust Him. Whether He heals me or not, He is cleansing me of sin and sanctifying my heart, mind, and soul, and I give Him praise.

I went to the doctor yesterday, but there is not much they can do. She told me about different pharmaceutical drugs (which I can’t take), and recommended a gastro doctor I could see, but that’s it. We talked about different foods I could eat for nutrition and electrolytes, but I already knew all that. She said my heart, lungs, and blood pressure are good. There just isn’t anything they can do for Celiac. I am trusting in God and praying for strength, wisdom, and healing.

I believe we are in the end times leading to the Tribulation, and the Rapture could happen at any moment. Christians are talking about increased spiritual attacks and battles they are going through during this time, and it’s good to see believers encouraging and praying for each other. We all need the fellowship and support! Jesus could call us home very soon, and He wants us to be ready!

The church is being tested. Believers in Jesus everywhere are being drawn closer to the Lord and there is a great conviction to be right with Him in every way. We are not perfect, but we must stay away from sin and keep our eyes on Jesus. We must walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and ask the Lord to cleanse us of all unrighteousness, and sanctify us! That is what God is doing with all my suffering. He is purifying me and leading me even closer to Jesus! Even closer to the man He wants me to be in Him.

“See, I have refined you, though not as

silver;

I have tested you in the furnace of

affliction.”

-Isaiah 48:10

I don’t want to stray from the Lord! No matter what happens with this disease, I want to be at peace with Jesus! He is my only peace, hope, and salvation! He is my only forgiveness from all my sins! I just want to walk humbly with Jesus with great fear, reverence, and awe. I fear the Lord and I am so thankful for His never-ending mercy and perfect love!

“But what can I say?

He has spoken to me, and he himself

has done this.

I will walk humbly all my years

because of this anguish of my soul.

Lord, by such things men live;

and my spirit finds life in them too.

You restored me to health

and let me live.

Surely it was for my benefit

that I suffered such anguish.

In your love you kept me

from the pit of destruction;

you have put all my sins

behind your back.”

-Isaiah 38:15-17

If you don’t know Jesus yet, I plead with you with all my heart to repent and receive Him as your Lord and Savior! We don’t know how much time is left before believers in Jesus are Raptured, but it is so close. A time of great Tribulation and suffering is coming to earth! A time when God will pour out His wrath and judgment on earth! God loves you and He does not want you to perish! He has made the Way to Heaven through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved! We have all sinned and we all need forgiveness. There is only One Who has ever died for our sins, and His Name is Jesus. Please repent and receive eternal life through faith in Jesus today!

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

-John 14:6

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

-Jesus speaking in John 3:16

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

-Romans 3:22-24

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

-Romans 6:23

“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”

-2 Peter 3:3-10

There is only one Way to be saved, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can forgive your sins and save your soul. Eternal life can never be earned by good works or any other way. Salvation is a free gift of God that can only be received by faith in Jesus.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.”

-Ephesians 2:8-9

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

-Romans 10:9-13

Please come to Jesus today! Turn from sin and receive eternal life! There is a great spiritual battle going on in 2020 and these are dangerous times. Jesus loves you so much that He died for you, so you could be reconciled with God and spend eternity in Heaven! Please do not throw that precious gift away! Repent and run to Jesus! He will save your soul and you will never be put to shame!

Thank you all for your prayers! The Lord is holding me and I am holding onto Him. He will see me through to the end and fulfill His purpose for me. May the Lord’s will be done in all things as we see the day of the Lord approaching. May He deliver us from sin and evil, keep us strong and righteous in the Holy Spirit, and spread revival through the whole world! Jesus is Lord!!

Grace and peace to you all!

Author: Ryan Callahan

Hello, and welcome to my site! I am an independent Christian author (One Man's Very Strange Supernatural Life), blogger, and evangelist for Jesus. My main goal with this blog is to help people come to know Jesus, help people understand the Bible, and to minister to a lost and hurting world. This site is about hope, new beginnings, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love! I'm glad you are here, God bless you! Copyright © 2023 Ryan Callahan. All rights reserved.

39 thoughts on “Refined By Affliction”

  1. Brother, when I read the words that you write God surprises me, you say the truth of God, you belong to the small faithful remnant for which the Lord comes, oh God make more men of war like you, thank you for your words, thank you for your example of leading others to give glory to God, you win souls, with your testimony and constancy in the gospel, it is our inner being that God breaks and molds for our own benefit, then it was God who found us but we at realize that we have found the truth and embrace it to never let go of it no matter what happens, oh you realize that the eternal joy will be greater than the temporary suffering in this passing world, I love you brother and I will be praying for you with a grateful heart with God for knowing someone like you who is a preacher of the truth in all the senses of your life …..💎✒📖

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      1. 📖✒💎.The peace of Christ my brother, of course if all the Glory is from God forever, it is about the God of Christ Jesus, it is his fame is his presence is his majesty, we are only clay vessels in the hands of the potter, That is why it is for him and for him all the honor and glory, Christ is coming soon, his coming is closer and closer, I hope in God that you are improving your physical health, May the peace of God be every moment of your life with you and with your family …. Merry Christmas

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Philippians 1: 3
        I thank my God whenever I remember you,
        4 always in all my prayers praying with joy for you all,
        5 for your fellowship in the gospel, from the first day until now;
        6 being convinced of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ;
        7 how it is right for me to feel this about you all, because I have you in my heart; and in my prisons, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partakers of grace with me.
        8 Because God is my witness to how I love you all with the tender love of Jesus Christ.
        9 And this I ask in prayer, that your love abounds even more and more in science and in all knowledge,
        10 that you may approve of the best, so that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,
        11 full of fruits of righteousness that are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God…📖✒💎

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      4. – Ephesians 6:10
        For the rest, my brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
        11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
        12 For we do not fight against blood and flesh, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly regions.
        13 Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you can resist in the bad day, and having finished everything, stand firm.
        14 Stand firm therefore, having your loins girded with truth, and clothed with the breastplate of righteousness,
        15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
        16 Above all, take up the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
        17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
        18 praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching therewith with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;
        19 and for me, so that when I open my mouth a word may be given me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
        20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I speak boldly of him, as I should speak.

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  2. I Want To Be Just Like You

    He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug
    He calls me Dad and I call him Bub
    With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh
    He snuggles up close and says, I want to be like you
    I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
    Trippin’ over the toys as I turn out the light
    And I whisper a prayer that someday he’ll see
    He’s got a father in God ’cause he’s seen Jesus in me

    Lord, I want to be just like You
    ‘Cause he wants to be just like me
    I want to be a holy example
    For his innocent eyes to see
    Help me be a living Bible, Lord
    That my little boy can read
    I want to be just like You
    ‘Cause he wants to be like me

    Got to admit I’ve got so far to go
    Make so many mistakes and I’m sure that You know
    Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try
    With all the pressures in life I just can’t get it all right
    But I’m trying so hard to learn from the best
    Being patient and kind, filled with Your tenderness
    ‘Cause I know that he’ll learn from the things that he sees
    And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me

    Lord, I want to be just like You
    ‘Cause he wants to be just like me
    I want to be a holy example
    For his innocent eyes to see
    Help me be a living Bible, Lord
    That my little boy can read
    I want to be just like You
    ‘Cause he wants to be like me

    Right now from where he stands
    I may seem mighty tall
    But it’s only ’cause I’m learning
    From the best Father of them all

    Lord, I want to be just like You
    ‘Cause he wants to be just like me
    I want to be a holy example
    For his innocent eyes to see
    Help me be a living Bible, Lord
    That my little boy can read
    I want to be just like You
    ‘Cause he wants to be like me
    I want to be just like You
    ‘Cause he wants to be like me..

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  5. Preach that truth brother hallelujah. I pray your words as the seed falls on good ground and as it is watered by Gods Holy Spirit produces a great harvest of souls for Him. May Gods anointing and grace for what He has called you to do be upon you Ryan. Keep sharing His great love as it is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit. Blessings to you and your family.

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  7. Amen, Ryan. My trust is in God, too, and I will always be praying for you…for your strength, wisdom, and healing… peace, happiness, and joy! “Father God thank you that you are the Great Physician and for healing Ryan and giving him wisdom, in Jesus name, Amen.”
    Your post was a beautiful and uplifting one, thank you, they always mean so much to me, Ryan. Your teachings are spoken with The Living Word along with heartfelt prayers and words of hope and truth…you are reaching and touching lives, Ryan… you must be winning so many people to Christ! Amen. Thank you for serving Christ as you do, for witnessing as you do, your faithful work is a blessing to me and so many, and I know God is blessing you, Ry. God is good. Here is a verse I want to share that I think reflects our hope and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, the writer is Anonymous.
    Therefore I live for today-
    Certain of finding at sunrise
    Guidance and strength for the way.
    Power for each moment of weakness,
    Hope for each moment of pain,
    Comfort for every sorrow,
    Sunshine and joy after rain!
    Thank you, God, for loving us so much you gave us your only son, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much you died for our sins. Because we have accepted God’s gift of salvation, we are saved, Halleluiah! Someday we will go to our eternal Home…and Christ will be there to welcome us!

    Love you, Ryan
    Mom

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  10. Your faith in Jesus shines even brighter in the dark valley you are experiencing at the moment. His light in you brother Ryan shines like a bright star.
    May our triune God continue to strengthen you, and grow you in the knowledge of Him Who holds all things by the Word of His power.

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    Reply

  11. My dear brother. I was off line for a few days because I am having a challenge with my eyes. Even as we speak my left eye is swollen. but I do pray that you will overcome this health issue that you are faced with. I cannot begin to imagine your pain but we serve a living God who is still in the healing business and I believe that you are healed in Jesus name. God bless you my brother as you continue to fight knowing that God is with you. Be bless.

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  14. So thankful you’re beginning to feel better!! Love your strong faith in the Lord with your health and with our world’s condition..His way is the only way to peace! Thanks so much for faithfully and obediently always sharing the gospel message for His glory!!

    Liked by 1 person

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