Fire Journal - Sharing the Fire of God

Okay so you’ve been struggling with something badly.  Put your trust in him, then praise him for the weakness because it helps you depend on him.  Suddenly, after you’ve cried out to him he will give you strength and out of that strength will come your best ministry.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 corinthians 12:9-10

This happened recently.  I was hurting, and my strength was low.  I was sitting next to one of the strongest men I know.. and yet I was the one who ended up ministering to him.  I wanted to be ministered to.. because I was weak.  But, I admitted my weakness to the Lord and he strengthened me to give some of the most accurate ministry I’ve had.  Praise God that when we are weak he is strong! 

I started this bible study and was shocked by how many scripture I came accross on waiting on the Lord.  The world tells us “NOW NOW NOW” and God tells us to wait on him. 

Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Proverbs 20:22

Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18

Wait on the LORD;Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Psalm 37:7

For evildoers shall be cut off;But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:9

Wait on the LORD,And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalm 37:34

These all wait for You,That You may give them their food in due season. Psalm 104:27

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master  Luke 12:36

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Roman 8:25

so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:7

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

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7

Are you the hand? — then why are you disconnected from the arm?

Are you the ear? — then why aren’t you connected to the brain?

Are you an eye? — then why are you not setted into the eye socket?

Being independant and outside of a church makes as much sense as a body part laying on the ground independant from the body. It is useless and eventually dies.

WE ARE CALLED THE BODY OF CHRIST FOR A REASON

If we are to advance the kingdom of heaven in our own lives and in the world then we need to be accountable to one another. We NEED each other. Why do so many Christians think they can do it alone? Rebellion.

To out-of-church Christians: come back because we NEED you…

Is your house clean?  Is your car being taken care of and fixed?  Are you eating right?  Are you getting enough sleep?  Are you getting to work on time and staying on task while you are there?

Being faithful in the little things is very difficult.  God is very clear in his word that we need to be faithful on a daily basis with the little things before we are bestowed great responsibilities or great wealth.

“A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:19-21

How can anyone say that our flesh isn’t sick?

To our flesh the pleasure of the moment outweights the destruction of life.

Deny it and live.

What if for a day the whole world sought righteousness.
What would that day look like?

Maybe for a day…
clubs, bars, and porn shops would be empty.
Maybe for a day…
people would stop getting lost in fantasy and instead improve reality.
Maybe for a day…
false churches would preach repentance instead of acceptance.
Maybe for a day…
it would not be about you, you, you.
Maybe for a day…
criticism would turn into edification.
Maybe for a day…
forgiveness wouldn’t just be an option.
Maybe for a day…
the almighty dollar would be dethroned.
Maybe for a day…
just a day… the world would see a glimpse of heaven.

What is bread from one man to another? It is a good act. But will wither away and never be remembered. But to sow bread into another hand through the spirit of Christ. THAT is what pushes back the kingdom of hell and echos through eternity. Are you sowing in the flesh? The flesh is powerless. Are you sowing in the spirit? Your actions will become that of a spiritual flame from the heart of Christ to the hand of another man and their spirit will rejoice.

I was TIRED of sowing in the flesh. Went to work… day after day and nothing was returned, no ground gained, and the kingdom of hell tromped over me and wittled my faith down. Was this the life that Christ died for me to live? To sit behind a computer while my boss runs over me. To not grow spiritually and grow dull and flat? Absolutely not!

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WALK ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT AND NOT ACCORDING TO THE FLESH

(more…)

As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. 28:26

A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. 29:11

These verses are all self-explanitory. I just felt on my heart that someone out there will need to hear these.

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute5 Therefore wrath on him who practices evil. you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Romans 13:1-7

God has given us bosses. Even our bosses have bosses. Every single person has governing authorities over their life. These authorities have multiple purposes. Protection, correction, and blessing. When my boss reams into me and points out my every fault. That is correction. Take out the emotion and find the truth and then change. This has been my biggest battle, and will continue on. We are supposed to bless those who curse and submit to our authorities. Don’t let them abuse you, but even when they get angry there will still be truth. We learn to handle truth and accept correction we will be blessed.

HERE IS A LITTLE OF WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PEOPLE CORRECTING US (LIKE OUR BOSSES)

“fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 1:7

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 3:11

He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. 10:17

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,But he who hates correction is stupid. 12:1

Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. 13:8

A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. 15:5

Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. 15:10

The next thing authorities are for is protection! I can tell you time after time where my boss & my pastors have been there for protection. Here is some verses about that:

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 11:14

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. 26:4

So in conclusion. Lets not disobey and rebel against those God puts above us. Whether they appear good or bad. Be submissive towards your authorities. You will be corrected, you will be protected and you will be blessed. Be prepaired for the tests of your lifetime through authorities…

Don’t fear man, don’t fear Satan. FEAR THE ONE WHO HAS THE POWER TO JUDGE, NOT THE JUDGED. Stand in the face of what looks like everything is going to come down on you. If you would stand, if you would not waver. GOD WILL REWARD YOU for your courage. I’ve had people screaming in my face and when I bless them back they get shakin’ up and they can’t believe it. Bless those who curse you and stand in the face of Fear. Gain a healthy fear of God and ditch the fear of man and Satan. Man can’t destroy your soul, neither can Satan. God will keep you strong if you trust in him.

I break the power of fear of man over me and anyone who is reading this now in Jesus name. Lord loose in us the STRENGTH to stand in the face of persecution and fear.  Amen.