Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Refined By The Fire
    Refined By The Fire
    Refined By The Fire
    Ebook172 pages2 hours

    Refined By The Fire

    By A C Cuddy

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    "So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. "1 Peter 1:7

    I will venture a guess and say that many of you reading this book are, as we speak, either walking in the Refiner's fire, have just come out of that fire or unbeknownst to you – are headed for the fire. I believe that there are few Christ followers in this world that have not been a fire walker at some point in their life. I know that I have.

    My life has been an on-going and amazing series of events that have afforded me the opportunity to learn and grow in my faith. Thus far I have had a remarkable life. Has it been full of unicorns and pixie dust? Absolutely not! It has not always been wonderful. It's been a life of sickness, marriage, divorce, widowhood, murder, financial ruin, and my own personal cancer diagnosis... and that's just the first half of my life.

    However, it has also been a life of second and third chances in the repeated and continued blessed forgiveness from my Heavenly Father that sits on the Throne.

    This book is a compilation of my life and my stories - it is a reflection of lessons learned. What I share with you here in these pages are my thoughts, stories, teachings, life events, and blessings, and not-so blessed blessings of what I have learned while in and amongst the Refiner's Fire.

    I pray that you will be blessed, and possibly inspired by these stories. But most of all, I pray that you will recognize your own time in the Refiner's Fire and learn to embrace the process.

    Be blessed and know that you are loved by the King!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherA C Cuddy
    Release dateSep 4, 2017
    ISBN9781370289622
    Refined By The Fire
    Author

    A C Cuddy

    Hello and welcome, my name is Ann. I’m a Christian, Blogger, Author, Teacher and most of all a Daughter of the Most High King. I don’t have a long list of degrees or titles. I have just one title - forgiven. I live a fairly quiet life in New Hampshire with Michael, writing the words He gives me. I’m just a simple woman who’s been given the opportunity to live an amazing life. Writing has been just a hobby since my teen years that I’ve not really taken it seriously until this last year. I hope that you will follow, linkup, and like what I might have to say by way of these social media icons.

    Related to Refined By The Fire

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Jun 15, 2020

      A lot of people are asking why the world is the way it is. What’s going on? What on earth is God doing? Most of these people have never considered God before, but are questioning now that there is this terrible international crisis that is killing th

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jun 16, 2023

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 5, 2024

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      10 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Nov 19, 2021

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      8 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jun 24, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Sep 29, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      8 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Nov 27, 2020

      I I believe b that we are living in the end times as we read about in all the books of the Gospel and listen to what Jesus had said. He warned of pestilences and famines. I believe that Covid-19 is one of the pestilences, as well as all the locusts t

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 18, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      The Incurable Optimist

      Sep 11, 2019

      The Incurable Optimist
      8 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 21, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      6 min read

    • Article

      Activate Hope

      Jun 9, 2021

      Activate Hope
      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 14, 2023

      Send your letters to editor@joymag.co.za Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Aug 25, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Dec 29, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 10, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      8 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Oct 22, 2021

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      4 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      May 20, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Feb 11, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Dec 30, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      8 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Sep 23, 2022

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      May 19, 2023

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Apr 22, 2019

      The Bible in a Nutshell is amazing! I have just received a ‘Bible in a Nutshell’ book as a gift from my mom. Wow, wow, wow – what a treat. I can’t put it down and have learned so much from it. What a treasure. Thank you for producing such a valuable

      5 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Aug 7, 2020

      Greetings in the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In your July issue of JOY! you asked what we are grateful for. I’m grateful for the fact that Jesus Christ saved me and my family. My third born son suffered severe burns on his body, and my last b

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Dec 31, 2021

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      3 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Refined By The Fire

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Refined By The Fire - A C Cuddy

      Introduction

      As I’ve begun the final edits of this book, doubting thoughts have come into my brain… what makes me think I can write a book? Why would I write a book? Who would possibly care to read a thing I have to say? What will they say about what I’ve written?

      And while I know where the doubt comes from, these questions are real. The short answer’s are: Can I write a book? Sure anyone can. Why would I write a book? Because I can. Who would want to read my a thing I have to say and what will they say about what I’ve written? That is not up to me to say.

      I have enjoyed writing stories and keeping a journal for many years.  I think my first writing course was when I was 18; I so thoroughly enjoyed it. When I’ve been up against it in this world, being able to put pen to paper has helped me to wade through the crazy. I found that I can’t write or type as fast as my brain goes, so it helps to slow me down and really give thought to what is going on. Being able to write about my joys, fears, concerns, worries, devastating, amused, scared, anxiousness, bored, confused, sad, disappointed, hopeful, important, insignificant and overwhelming thoughts has helped me to face whatever this life has brought to me.

      For quite a number of years, I’ve had the deep desire to take those stories and combine them into a book. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve found out how to do that. These stories are the good, the bad and the really bad events that I’ve had the occasion to experience. I don’t share my life in these pages for pity or applause. I share my life in these pages as a testimony of God’s love and faithfulness and His continued blessings on my life.

      It is my hope and prayer that you are blessed and perhaps encouraged by these stories. Who knows, perhaps you will take a leap and write your own life stories.

      A final thought… it is not my intention to claim that my life has been more horrible or more wonderful than anyone else.  It saddens me that there are those out there that have horrific and ungodly acts perpetrated against them. My heart hurts for what one person can inflict on another. I don’t claim anything like that in my life or any of these stories.  These are just my stories of life events that for me, at the time, were overwhelming.  I have used those stories, and the lessons learned to shine a light on the goodness and mercy of our Father in Heaven.

      Give thanks to the Lord and pray to Him. Tell the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him. Tell about all His miracles. Be glad that you are His, let those who seek the Lord be happy. Depend on the Lord and His strength; always go to Him for help. Remember the miracles He has done, His wonder and His decisions. 1 Chronicles 16:8-12 (NCV)

      The Refining Fire

      So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:7 (NASB)

      I will venture a guess and say that many of you reading this book are, as we speak, either walking in the Refiner’s fire, have just come out of that fire or unbeknownst to you – are headed for the fire. I believe that there are few Christ followers in this world that have not been a fire walker at some point in their life. Walking in the fire, at the time you are in it, is not a pleasant experience. It can be and has been, at least for me, ugly, painful, disturbing, dreadful, troubling, unsettling, distressing, exhausting, heartbreaking, confusing, sad, grievous... you name the emotion - and it applies.

      Sometimes even when you are so sure, so confident that you are walking in the center of God's will, that you are correctly discerning His plan for your life, that you truly believe you are covered in God's amazing grace, somehow you find yourself in the fire and you question why. What did you miss? What did you do, or not do, to cause this trial. Confusion, disappointment, anger… all seem like a logical reaction at the time.

      All of these are normal human emotions when we find ourselves in a place where we don't think we deserve to be. It usually isn’t until we come through to the other side of the fire that we can see with clarity and hindsight the purpose, and spiritual benefit, of the time spent in the refining process.

      "Our suffering has a purpose-it helps us toward the end of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls. Suffering is a crucible. As gold is refined in the fire, purged of its dross and impurities, so our faith is tested by fire. Gold perishes. Our souls do not. We experience pain and grief for a season. It is while we are in the fire that perplexity assails us. But there is another side to the fire. As the dross burns away, the genuineness of faith is purified unto the salvation of our souls."[1] ― R.C. Sproul

      I personally have spent what seemed like years at times walking in the fire and other times walking so close to it that I can feel the heat. I’ll be honest, I don't like it. What I've finally learned after so many decades of being in, out and around the flames is that it takes an amazing amount of heat and time and patience to burn off the dross - the impurities that are typically found mixed in with raw gold and silver.

      I've also come to recognize that while I'm in this refining fire I am not alone. My Father God is right there. He does not allow me into the fire and then walk away. The refiner never leaves the flames. His job is to oversee the burning off of the dross without causing irreparable harm to the precious metal. At the end of the refining, all that remains is pure. I know that I will never, on this side of Heaven, be completely purified. I often wonder if I could have spent less time there, had I just not been so hard-headed, had I been just a bit more teachable? (Okay… a lot more teachable). Perhaps. But alas, there is no benefit to looking backwards.

      My life has been an on-going and amazing series of events that have afforded me the opportunity to learn and grow in my faith. Thus far I have had a remarkable life. Has it been full of unicorns and pixie dust? Absolutely not! It has not always been wonderful. It's been a life of illness, marriage, widowhood, family murder, financial ruin, and my own personal cancer diagnosis… and that’s just the first half of my life. It has also been a life of second and third chances as well as the repeated and continued blessed forgiveness from my Heavenly Father that sits on the Throne.

      I have not traveled this road alone. Along the way, I’ve met some incredible people, some of which are in my stories. Some of those people have come into my life for a short season, some a long season. However, the one constant through every step of my crazy life has been my Lord and Savior. And while I might not have always recognized it at the time, He is faithful and He is true and He has been there through it all. He has walked beside me through every victory and He has carried me through my failures. He continues to be my strength; the place where I’ve run to and hide when I don’t have the desire to go on even for one more hour.

      What I am sharing with you here in these pages are my thoughts, stories, teachings, life events, blessings, and not-so blessings of what I've learned while I’ve spent some time in and amongst the flames. Some of these stories are just that, stories or writings of my thoughts put into teachings that I share on my website and blog at www.titus345.com. While there is an occasional teaching put forward, the stories that I share are my real life events and the lessons learned.

      These stories that I am sharing with you are really in no particular order; though I have tried to make some sense of them for you, my gentle readers. They are merely a compilation of my life. I pray that you will be blessed, and possibly inspired by these stories. But most of all, I pray that you will recognize your own time in the flames and learn to embrace the process.

      Be blessed and know you are loved by the King

      A story to better understand the refining process that I think you will enjoy:

      Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse. And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

      One lady’s opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.

      But Sir, she said, do you sit while the work of refining is going on? Oh, yes madam, replied the silversmith, I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.

      The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.

      Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

      As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had still further to mention, that he only knows when the process of purifying was complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver.

      Beautiful example! When Christ shall see His own image in His people, His work of purifying will be accomplished."[2]~author unknown

      "Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner." Proverbs 25:4 (KJ21)

      "But who can endure the

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1