picturesfromheaven

"Campfire, Candle & Cole" -Three Pictures of Fire

My husband is in Nigeria. He just texted me that the place he is staying has no electricity or running water. I am so thankful that I'm sitting here typing this out on my lap top instead of there with him. Is that bad? Probably. But I'm just being honest. As you can see, God still isn't finished with me yet. I have a ways to go before I'm like my Lord. I will be flying to Turkey in less than a week to meet my husband there for a retreat/conference. This mission's trip will be held on the seashore. A little different venu. It will be a nicer setting, but it is still a very important trip. We want to be a blessing to the church in Turkey which has experienced their first martyrs for the faith. I ask that you will join with me in prayer that God's purposes will be accomplished in us and through us. I so want HIS love to flow through us. I want to make a difference. How about you?

Picture…a campfire with people sitting on the ground surrounding it. You can tell that the fire once burned hot and bright, but that it is starting to dwindle. The people are still illuminated by the glow of the flames, but just beyond the circle of light there were wolves snarling and waiting to pounce. You can’t quite see them, but you can sense that they were there. The people sitting around the fire are looking over their shoulders into the darkness, obviously afraid of what lies out there.

Hear…the Lord say, “What are my children doing looking out into the darkness fearing what is still unseen when they should be building the fire? If they will keep the fire burning bright there is nothing that is going to approach them. NO danger or harm will fall upon them. It is only if they focus on what is going on in the darkness to the point of neglecting the flame and doing the things they know they are suppose to do that they will ever find themselves in danger.

Consider: Have you neglected to keep your focus on Jesus and keep your fire burning bright with prayer, worship and the Word. You can’t get spiritual enough that you can neglect the fire. There is no level in God where you can neglect the fire; whether you are a new convert or someone that has been serving the Lord for 50 years. You have to keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep building the fire by adding wood or whatever you need to keep the fire burning bright within you. When you keep your focus where it belongs, nothing, no matter how it snarls or growls, is going to harm you.

Pray: “Lord, I’m sorry that I’ve allowed myself to be distracted by the problems and struggles of my family and friends. I’ve been so afraid that I wasn’t going to be able to help them that I’ve forgotten that it is not up to me anyways. It’s up to you. I need to keep up my time in the Word, prayer and praise and release you to keep them safe. I’m even more sorry that I’ve been focusing on some potential disasters in the making rather, than focusing on you, the one who can nip it all in the bud. I am going to focus my attention on you, and let you handle the rest. Thank you. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

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Picture…a very small candle being carried by a woman. They are just standing outside of a closed door of a room complaining about how little light the candle was giving off. They say to themselves, “This is not enough to do anyone any good.” But God hears them and challenges them, “Just go…go ahead…do it! Open the door and shed your light.” Reluctantly the woman opens the door and sees that the room is very dark and there are many people huddled in fear. But as the woman walks into a room with her little candle, it sheds just enough light to remove their fear. The people stood, and lifted their own candles to be lit from the original. When all the candles were finally lit, the room was ablaze with light.

Hear…the Lord say, “Do not complain about how little you have to give to others. Give and it will be multiplied over many times. Did I just need a little boy’s lunch to feed a multitude? Can I not use what you have to accomplish great things?”

Consider: It all started with one little candle. Even though the woman thought her flame was insignificant, it was enough to start a blaze. You might be thinking that you came up a little short when the talents and gifts were given out. You might be thinking that your prayers aren’t as powerful as others. You might be thinking that you are too old, or young, or shy, or spiritually weak to accomplish anything of significance for God. But God wants you to know that you are strategically important to His plans and purposes. He can and will use your little fire to change the lives of many, if you will be obedient to His directives. Give Him what you have; no matter how small and He will make sure it is enough. So be bold. Walk through the door of ministry. Lives will be forever changed.

Pray: “Yep, I’ve been guilty of comparing myself to others lately and I’ve not liked what I have seen. I know that you are not supposed to do that, but it comes so naturally. I’m sorry I’ve slipped up in that again. I know that you used a donkey to correct a straying prophet, a small smooth stone to bring down a giant, a big black bird to feed your man for over 2 ½ years as well as that little boy’s lunch. I also know that if I will give you the little that I have, you can do remarkable things with it. ‘Cause it really isn’t about my little, it is about your great power. I give myself unreservedly, everything that I am, everything that I have, everything that I can do to you. You use it as you see fit. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

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Picture… a fire that is burning on a golden altar in the heavenlies. An angel uses a tong to take a burning coal off the blazing altar and he walks directly towards you.

Hear…the angel say, “Whoever will receive this…whoever will take it and not be afraid, that person will be healed of their insecurities, attitudes, relationships, emotions and body.”

Consider: God wants to do a significant work in your life today. Do not be afraid. Although we are grown-ups, we still deal with a lot of fears. Instead of being afraid of the monster in the closet or under the bed, we are afraid of the unknown, of failure, of rejection, of people. Do not allow any of these fears keep you from receiving all that God has for you. Do not put God in a box. Do not limit Him to “this much” of your life and no more. Be brave enough to say, “Here I am, use me. Cleanse my lips. Cleanse my heart. Start a fire within me that cannot be quenched. Burn your purposes in my heart.” If you will give God permission, He will heal your heart, mouth, mind, body. Receive that coal of fire that the Lord is making available to you. TAKE IT!

Pray: “Lord here I am…I’m saying it one more time…use me. Cleanse my attitudes. Cleanse my thinking. Cleanse my heart of the hurts that have been residing there. Cleanse my heart and mind of unrealistic expectations both of others and myself. Wash me with your precious blood. I give to you my fear of the unknown. I give to you my concern about what people will say and think. I give you all of my worries about not getting it right or not finishing what I start. Use me for your purposes until the day I stand before you face and face and hear the words, ‘Well done.’ In Jesus Name, Amen.”

posted by pastorc @ 4:53 PM