Fire Journal - Sharing the Fire of God

Have you ever wondered how important our faith is in our Christian walk? Look at how many times Jesus rebukes us for our lack of faith just in the chapter of Matthew.

But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Matthew 16:8-9

Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Matthew 17:17-18

Some of us wonder why miracles don’t happen in our lives. Well this scripture is pretty clear as to why that is:

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Matthew 13:58

Our faith seems to be the pivotal point of where the Lord’s miracle working power comes into our life. Here Jesus says these people got healed according to faith:

But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Matthew 9:22

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. Matthew 9:28-30

But what if we believe, but we are having a hard time? God still honors that. This scripture shows that a child is possessed with demons, and the child’s father struggles to believe that Jesus can heal his child.

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. Mark 9:23-27

Jesus taught us that with faith, anything is possible.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

And God tells us that the most important piece of armor is our shield of faith! If we take any piece of armor with us, above all we should take the shield of faith.

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16

We are even justified by our faith!

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28

We need to walk by faith, and not only try to believe when something goes wrong. We need to live by it.

The just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

You simply cannot deny how important faith is in our walk with God. I have seen over and over again how God honors so highly when we have faith in him. I suggest asking for more faith each day because he will give you faith abundantly and will deliver miracles to your front door! God Bless!

Satan wants you to take the blessing before its time.

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: Hebrews 10:36

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:15

God has called you and given you a heart for your calling but you don’t want to wait. Warning: not waiting leads to failure. Hold on to God’s promise that he spoke to your heart!! God will fullfill his promises to us, but will we?

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:19-21

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:25

How do we stay on fire for God while at work? Work for your employer as you would work for Christ himself:

“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”  Ephesians 6:5-8

Think of how much harder we would work if our boss was Christ?  He would know our thoughts, the heart behind each action… etc. Wow, how great would the company be?  Every work would be blessed because there would be so much heart in each project. If things are dead at your work… are you adding to the problem or bringing fire to the workplace?  Oh God help us to serve our employers with a heart of gold!!

Looking at the entire chapter of ephesians 6 - the order of the chapter goes:

1. honor your parents
2. be obedient your masters
3. put on the full armor of God.

Without works, faith is dead James 2

God put the works, (honor your parents, be obedient to your masters) before the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6.  The armor of God is for protection against the unseen.  I think that being obedient to your masters and honoring your father and mother is essential to your protection against the unseen enemy and for you to be blessed abundantly on this earth. Lets have a heart to bless our bosses each day that we wake up and go to work! Typically we go to church one day a week and to work five days a week.  How do we press forth in our relationship with God during the week, not just at church?  By holding his principles and being a blessing to our workplace.

Hebrews 12:29 has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time. Partially because it is the basis for a College-age ministry I am helping to start, and partially because its part of such an awesome concept.

[25] See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, [26] whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

[27] Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

[28]Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. [29] For our God is a consuming fire.

If you read further up, you see that the author of Hebrews is using the story of Moses to illustrate how God seperates the things of Him from the things of this world. On Mount Sinai, God spared only those who remained faithful to HIm. Similarly, God “shakes up” the foundations of our lives, removing the pieces which are not firmly anchored in Him. Kind of like a virus cleaner. File infected? Whoops! Had to delete the whole thing. Heheh. So I’m guessing a modern, techy translation would be “For our God is an up-to-date virus scanner.” Doesn’t quite have the same gusto…

Anyways. I’ll leave you with a question to bounce around in your head: What parts of your lives is God shaking up, but you’re still trying to hold on to?

I desire with all my heart holiness–not apathy I desire to know the Holy Spirit–being holy, even as He is holy. I desire to serve Him as He may require and lift my hands in worship. But my deepest desire, even as Mary left Martha to her good deeds in the kitchen, is to be with my LORD according to Psalm 27:4.
One thing I ask of the LORD,
This is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
See my heart, O God, and know my yearnings. Your name is the sweetest name I know, and I desire you more than any earthly pleasure. I love knowing you. I love you. You are wonderful! If only I could know you more!

Here is a LOT of scripture on righteousness to get us started:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness , For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness , and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness , and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness , and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness .” And he was called the friend of God. James 2:23

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:5

being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness , which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:9

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness , godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;Therefore God, Your God, has anointed YouWith the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Hebrews 1:9

who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness , obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Hebrews 11:33

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 2:29
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10

How many times have you heard from Christians, “Oh I’m just human.” “Oh, everyone does that.” “Everyone would react like that if they were in my circumstances.” “Oh, I think just this time I will do this.” “Oh, God will forgive me later.”

Last time I wrote the scripture, “Those who love me obey my commandments.” Well later that day my boss asked me to work over the sabbath and I said, “No.” And what do you know? He blew up in my face. Amongst many things attacking my faith he said his point-of-view, “We are under grace and the only purpose for the law is to show that we are sinners.” This is a deceived thinking pattern. If we know the law and we are Christ’s we will not compromise because we love him. Not because we are a slave to the law, but we love Christ so we obey God’s commandments!

When are we going to stop sinning just because we can?!?

I am really tired of excuses. I have none. Through faith I will stand, through faith I will obey, and through faith it will be accounted to me righteousness. When you stand for God in the areas that you are weak. That is where Jesus is exalted.
I am guilty of compromising time and time again. I am tired of it. I have been deeply repenting for in my weakness compromising. Now God is giving me opportunities to stand and not compromise.

I WANT TO NOT COMPROMISE IN EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE!!!

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 1 Peter 3:14

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10

Okay, I’ve done some pretty crappy things in my life. But, I’ve taken them to the cross each time. Each time seeking that he would teach me a better way. Relying on his grace. If I could just teach the world his grace!! The Holy Spirit rises up and I obey and he gives me strength to stand in temptation and crappy situations. When I screw up, I just go to his feet and ask for grace. He is sooo happy to give it because it means I get to come to him and spend time with him. I love him so much…

I will yet praise Him.
 
Why am I discouraged by the turmoil around me?  Why have I lost sight of my peace?  Where is my joy?  Why do I feel this way?

 
Yet, I will praise Him.
 
“Why are you so downcast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:4-6)

Life is full of adventure for those who recognise it.  I like to say, “Half the adventure is in the going; the other half is not knowing where you are going.”  In Matt. 14:28, Peter had not the slightest foreknowlege of the great sport of Water-Walking, but he left status quo when he “abandoned ship.”  He could plainly see the storm surrounding their boat.  His desire was to venture into the unknown for the sake of being with the Lord.  Peter had no idea where he was going, but he heard the voice of Jesus; and he determined to come closer.

Zealots for the Lord often have a common flaw:  Their spiritual adrenaline tends to have great swells as well as sudden plunges.  The important point is to get out there.  Peter displayed the ultimate faith in Jesus when he chose to step out on the water.  His faithless descent into the water is not excusable, but certainly understandable.  He would not have started to sink if he had kept his eyes on the One he came to be near.  Somebody once said of those who scoff Peter’s mistake, “Little faith!?  Have YOU ever tried walking on water?”

My challenge for you today is simple:  Walk on the water!  Step out of the boat of mere Salvation and venture into the waves by faith in the Son of Man.  Keep your eyes on Him always.  But venture onto the water!  As Christians we can easily become  freeloaders on Christ’s salvation.  The majority of the saved ones are content to slip into a routine of mere Christianity.  These are the ones who are greatful to be saved from an eternal infernal separation from God, but their interest is not to know Jesus.  Knowing Jesus–that is the true adventure!

Martha was a busy lady.  Wanting to please her Master, she worked hard and made sure others did the same.  She was a “good Christian.”  Maybe even a typical Christian.

Mary chose to spend time with her Lord, rather than do things for Him.  This insatiable desire for intimacy with Him cost Mary her sister’s good opinion.  Her priority was to know Him.

Jesus said that Mary chose the better one.

In Ps. 27.4, King David prayed, “…one thing I ask, this one thing I seek, that I may behold the beauty of the Lord…”