Much of our world insists on things being accomplished quickly! The computer we purchased only a year ago needs more RAM, and the microwave seems to take "forever." Granted, we are living in an accelerated hour in the Church as well, and will certainly witness many "suddenlies" of God. However, one characteristic of the fire of God, defies instant gratification.
Those saints who will appear to catapult into their destiny overnight will have a different tale to tell. Divine preparation always involves a time of waiting, waiting and, did I mention waiting? There is a baptism to undergo--a season in the fire before we're able to send the flame forth with relevance for the Kingdom of God . Jesus says in Luke 12:49-50, "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed."Preparation to Carry the Fire
Let's ponder how God intends to send the fire He speaks of around the earth. Well, as always, the Father loves to work through His precious daughters and sons as we represent Jesus to the people. The Word shows us in Genesis 22, that Abraham "carried the fire," implying that we, too, are called to be torches.In preparation for a sovereign move upon the earth, rest assured, God would not hide your destiny "from you," however, He may hide it "for you." He will conceal your destiny until your response to preparation reveals you are ready for manifestation. God may even ask us to lay our dream upon the altar, as with Abraham and Isaac. He wants to see if we are serving the dream, or the Dream Giver. Fear not, He will return the dream unharmed once we pass the test of obedience. It only makes sense, beloved, that we are unable to carry the fire of God to the nations until we ourselves have experienced the furnace. We can impart nothing unless the Creator first deposits it within us. Consequently, the Father perfectly orchestrates our steps so all of us are blessed with his or her unique baptism of fire.What is the Baptism Jesus is Speaking Of?
What is this baptism Jesus says He must undergo before He brings fire upon the earth? Jesus speaks of a baptism of agony. He speaks of Gethsemane --the oil press. He speaks of a baptism of pain, anguish, and vicarious repentance.He says, "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed." He's saying He's pent-up, distressed, not free to let the flame go forth. He's saying it is not yet time.Listen friends, "Everyone will be salted with fire" (Mark 9:49). Everyone! And, if a baptism of fire was necessary for Jesus, it will most certainly be necessary for His followers. The baptism of fire is difficult, indeed. However, we have not sweat drops of blood like our precious Savior. We must not despise the hour of testing in light of the love Jesus poured out on the cross. Jesus proclaims His willingness to drink the cup full of bitterness, betrayal, and mental and spiritual suffering. This cup contains agony and loneliness. He is assured His baptism of fire will not be in vain. Isaiah 53:11 states, "After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life, and be satisfied... " In other words, we rest in the knowledge that this suffering will accomplish God's purposes. As you endure difficulties, challenges or trials, dear ones, consider them purpose driven fires, suitable for the Master Craftsman. James 1:2-3 challenges us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. "Tested in the Fiery Furnace
Many, many Christians today are being tested, stretched, and tried. It's as if our God, whose eyes are like blazing fire, is blowing His mighty wind from Heaven. He's fanning some smoldering wicks as He equips His servants to become flames of fire. We should not be surprised or amazed. The Apostle Paul writes that the believer's spiritual "foundation" would be tested by fire to reveal the endurance of his faith and love (I Corinthians 3:13-15). When we consider the fiery furnace, we readily think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We can compare the furnace of affliction and the process of refining to that of pottery being fired in a kiln. In Genesis 11, the Word speaks of bricks being baked. The brick kiln is mentioned in Jeremiah 43, Nahum 3, and II Samuel 12.It's important to note that the temperature in a kiln is always perfectly controlled. So it is with God's processes. He won't turn up the heat any higher than necessary in order to burn away impurities, producing transformation. Another noteworthy feature of a kiln is its insulation. Without proper insulation, it's impossible to control the heat. That says to me that we must be appropriately covered in the righteousness of God, cloaked in humility, and clothed in Christ Himself. It is when we are properly "insulated" that we can trust God in the fire for transformation and not cremation.Take heed, beloved. When entering a season of firing, don't run! Fleshly running can produce more earthly oxygen, causing the flames to flare even hotter. Allow only the breath of God do its work. Stop, drop, roll, and ask, "Father, what part of self needs to die in here?"God Transforms Tragedy into Triumph
Most of the impurities the fire burns away, are obvious. Jealously, lust, pride, and greed, for example, cannot withstand the fire of God. Yet, the Lord also uses what the opposition has thrown at us as fuel for the fire of God. This Divine strategy creates the opposite of what the enemy intended. Our Father is the champion of taking potential tragedy and transforming it into triumph! In doing so, He creates an antidote for the glory of His Kingdom!
Please, allow me to expound on this:
As God longs to bring unity to His Church--He may allow a season of the fiery pain of disunity.As God delights in igniting joy in the morning--He may allow sorrow for a night.As God wants to engender honor--He may allow a season of dishonor in the furnace.As God desires for us to grow in grace--we may first experience a baptism of disfavor.As God longs to entrust us with Kingdom wealth, according to His riches in Glory--He may allow a season of walking through the fire of poverty.As God intends to exalt He servants--He may humble us in the flames.As God begets us to be love--we may first experience the fiery darts of hatred.
It's important to remember, the enemy had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego BOUND when he threw them into the furnace. However, it was in that very fire that Jesus set them free. Alleluia!Listen, friends, we don't just go from glory to glory. We are CHANGED from Glory to Glory. II Corinthians 4:7 says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God, and not from us." When jars of clay go into the kiln, they are a brown, gooey consistency that doesn't have much strength or resistance. But after firing, a beautiful piece of pottery emerges, strong and translucent, aglow from the fire, crafted by the Master Potter's hands.We need the refining fire, beloved. We need to see the Church on fire, ignited for Christ Jesus. Since we know our God is a consuming fire, the Spirit of God lives and dwells in us, and we want to do only what we see the Father do, should we not be a consuming fire also?
When we lay hands on someone and pray for them, they don't need to experience doctrine, they need to experience the fire of God, the power of God! The world is waiting for a consuming fire, one that burns up all that is not of God: cancer cells, addictions, sickness, and disease. This is a fire that will light up the world!Fire Produces Passion
In addition to the purity created in the fire, a passion is imparted. This inner passion, imparted by the Holy Spirit, is for God's righteousness and for the advancement of His Kingdom.Fire is the image used throughout the Bible to describe the inner nature of God's heart. I want to know the Father's heart; I want to have the Father's heart. How about you? To possess the Father's heart is to walk in the love of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, to feel wrath against sin. If that involves a baptism of fire, so be it!Fire heals, cleanses, purifies. The fire Jesus brings is holy fire! Fire produces passion! It's in the fire that that all of our false heroes, all of our false kings die, and that's the season we will see the Lord. Listen friends, it's in the fire that the Son of God is manifest. Alleluia! We become more and more passionate for Him and His Kingdom because we realize we must cling to Him, walk with Him, and become one with Him, as exquisite crystal fused in a kiln. It's all preparation for an eternal dwelling as we recall in Revelation 15:2, "And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God" (emphasis mine). Can I get an Amen here? The Son of God is manifest in the fire! In the fire of our experiences, we truly realize He is all we will ever need. If you've been in the fire, are in the fire, or will be in the fire, be encouraged; you are not alone. The Savior of the world stands with you. The Rock of my salvation is in that fire with you. The Restorer, the King of Glory, The Son of God, The Word, Rabbi, The True Light, My Shield, My High Tower, The Great Physician, The Ransom, The Peace Offering, A Ruler, The Refiner, and Purifier are in there with you! "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burn! ed; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:2).Beware, "wet blankets" will attempt to douse the fire and extinguish the passion. Let me ask you this--what really happens when water is poured on the fire in the trenches? I propose to you today, that it only fuels the fire! Where is the God of Elijah? He's in you. Don't let the enemy lie and use water to put out the fire. Maintain your faith in the promises of God. Keep an attitude of gratitude, speaking truth so there is redemption, and use the water for fuel to fan the flames. And when the people see the fire, they'll say, "The Lord He is God, the Lord He is God" (I Kings 18:39).We Must Persevere
Once you've endured the fire and have received the passion, you must persevere. You made it; you've come so very far. Jesus didn't quit at Gethsemane . He went all the way to crucifixion! Once you've sustained the fiery furnace you can't give up, put up, shut up, or turn around. You must set your heart like flint, ready to go all the way with God! It's in " Gethsemane " that we say, "Father, not my will but Thine be done."Dear ones, may we allow the Lord to prepare us in the fire for, "In the last days, God says, "I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, (flames of fire) both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the Heaven above and signs on the earth below..." (Acts 2:17-19, emphasis mine). May we allow the Lord to prepare us down here, so we'll fit in up there, when we meet our God whose eyes are like flaming fire? II Timothy 2:8-13 from The Message:
"Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It's what you've heard from me all along. It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now--but God's Word isn't in jail! That's why I stick it out here--so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing: If we die with Him, we'll live with Him; If we stick it out with Him, we'll rule with Him; If we turn our backs on Him, He'll turn His back on us; If we give up on Him, He does not give up--for there's no way He can be false to Himself."
Those saints who will appear to catapult into their destiny overnight will have a different tale to tell. Divine preparation always involves a time of waiting, waiting and, did I mention waiting? There is a baptism to undergo--a season in the fire before we're able to send the flame forth with relevance for the Kingdom of God . Jesus says in Luke 12:49-50, "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed."Preparation to Carry the Fire
Let's ponder how God intends to send the fire He speaks of around the earth. Well, as always, the Father loves to work through His precious daughters and sons as we represent Jesus to the people. The Word shows us in Genesis 22, that Abraham "carried the fire," implying that we, too, are called to be torches.In preparation for a sovereign move upon the earth, rest assured, God would not hide your destiny "from you," however, He may hide it "for you." He will conceal your destiny until your response to preparation reveals you are ready for manifestation. God may even ask us to lay our dream upon the altar, as with Abraham and Isaac. He wants to see if we are serving the dream, or the Dream Giver. Fear not, He will return the dream unharmed once we pass the test of obedience. It only makes sense, beloved, that we are unable to carry the fire of God to the nations until we ourselves have experienced the furnace. We can impart nothing unless the Creator first deposits it within us. Consequently, the Father perfectly orchestrates our steps so all of us are blessed with his or her unique baptism of fire.What is the Baptism Jesus is Speaking Of?
What is this baptism Jesus says He must undergo before He brings fire upon the earth? Jesus speaks of a baptism of agony. He speaks of Gethsemane --the oil press. He speaks of a baptism of pain, anguish, and vicarious repentance.He says, "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed." He's saying He's pent-up, distressed, not free to let the flame go forth. He's saying it is not yet time.Listen friends, "Everyone will be salted with fire" (Mark 9:49). Everyone! And, if a baptism of fire was necessary for Jesus, it will most certainly be necessary for His followers. The baptism of fire is difficult, indeed. However, we have not sweat drops of blood like our precious Savior. We must not despise the hour of testing in light of the love Jesus poured out on the cross. Jesus proclaims His willingness to drink the cup full of bitterness, betrayal, and mental and spiritual suffering. This cup contains agony and loneliness. He is assured His baptism of fire will not be in vain. Isaiah 53:11 states, "After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life, and be satisfied... " In other words, we rest in the knowledge that this suffering will accomplish God's purposes. As you endure difficulties, challenges or trials, dear ones, consider them purpose driven fires, suitable for the Master Craftsman. James 1:2-3 challenges us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. "Tested in the Fiery Furnace
Many, many Christians today are being tested, stretched, and tried. It's as if our God, whose eyes are like blazing fire, is blowing His mighty wind from Heaven. He's fanning some smoldering wicks as He equips His servants to become flames of fire. We should not be surprised or amazed. The Apostle Paul writes that the believer's spiritual "foundation" would be tested by fire to reveal the endurance of his faith and love (I Corinthians 3:13-15). When we consider the fiery furnace, we readily think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We can compare the furnace of affliction and the process of refining to that of pottery being fired in a kiln. In Genesis 11, the Word speaks of bricks being baked. The brick kiln is mentioned in Jeremiah 43, Nahum 3, and II Samuel 12.It's important to note that the temperature in a kiln is always perfectly controlled. So it is with God's processes. He won't turn up the heat any higher than necessary in order to burn away impurities, producing transformation. Another noteworthy feature of a kiln is its insulation. Without proper insulation, it's impossible to control the heat. That says to me that we must be appropriately covered in the righteousness of God, cloaked in humility, and clothed in Christ Himself. It is when we are properly "insulated" that we can trust God in the fire for transformation and not cremation.Take heed, beloved. When entering a season of firing, don't run! Fleshly running can produce more earthly oxygen, causing the flames to flare even hotter. Allow only the breath of God do its work. Stop, drop, roll, and ask, "Father, what part of self needs to die in here?"God Transforms Tragedy into Triumph
Most of the impurities the fire burns away, are obvious. Jealously, lust, pride, and greed, for example, cannot withstand the fire of God. Yet, the Lord also uses what the opposition has thrown at us as fuel for the fire of God. This Divine strategy creates the opposite of what the enemy intended. Our Father is the champion of taking potential tragedy and transforming it into triumph! In doing so, He creates an antidote for the glory of His Kingdom!
Please, allow me to expound on this:
As God longs to bring unity to His Church--He may allow a season of the fiery pain of disunity.As God delights in igniting joy in the morning--He may allow sorrow for a night.As God wants to engender honor--He may allow a season of dishonor in the furnace.As God desires for us to grow in grace--we may first experience a baptism of disfavor.As God longs to entrust us with Kingdom wealth, according to His riches in Glory--He may allow a season of walking through the fire of poverty.As God intends to exalt He servants--He may humble us in the flames.As God begets us to be love--we may first experience the fiery darts of hatred.
It's important to remember, the enemy had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego BOUND when he threw them into the furnace. However, it was in that very fire that Jesus set them free. Alleluia!Listen, friends, we don't just go from glory to glory. We are CHANGED from Glory to Glory. II Corinthians 4:7 says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God, and not from us." When jars of clay go into the kiln, they are a brown, gooey consistency that doesn't have much strength or resistance. But after firing, a beautiful piece of pottery emerges, strong and translucent, aglow from the fire, crafted by the Master Potter's hands.We need the refining fire, beloved. We need to see the Church on fire, ignited for Christ Jesus. Since we know our God is a consuming fire, the Spirit of God lives and dwells in us, and we want to do only what we see the Father do, should we not be a consuming fire also?
When we lay hands on someone and pray for them, they don't need to experience doctrine, they need to experience the fire of God, the power of God! The world is waiting for a consuming fire, one that burns up all that is not of God: cancer cells, addictions, sickness, and disease. This is a fire that will light up the world!Fire Produces Passion
In addition to the purity created in the fire, a passion is imparted. This inner passion, imparted by the Holy Spirit, is for God's righteousness and for the advancement of His Kingdom.Fire is the image used throughout the Bible to describe the inner nature of God's heart. I want to know the Father's heart; I want to have the Father's heart. How about you? To possess the Father's heart is to walk in the love of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, to feel wrath against sin. If that involves a baptism of fire, so be it!Fire heals, cleanses, purifies. The fire Jesus brings is holy fire! Fire produces passion! It's in the fire that that all of our false heroes, all of our false kings die, and that's the season we will see the Lord. Listen friends, it's in the fire that the Son of God is manifest. Alleluia! We become more and more passionate for Him and His Kingdom because we realize we must cling to Him, walk with Him, and become one with Him, as exquisite crystal fused in a kiln. It's all preparation for an eternal dwelling as we recall in Revelation 15:2, "And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God" (emphasis mine). Can I get an Amen here? The Son of God is manifest in the fire! In the fire of our experiences, we truly realize He is all we will ever need. If you've been in the fire, are in the fire, or will be in the fire, be encouraged; you are not alone. The Savior of the world stands with you. The Rock of my salvation is in that fire with you. The Restorer, the King of Glory, The Son of God, The Word, Rabbi, The True Light, My Shield, My High Tower, The Great Physician, The Ransom, The Peace Offering, A Ruler, The Refiner, and Purifier are in there with you! "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burn! ed; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:2).Beware, "wet blankets" will attempt to douse the fire and extinguish the passion. Let me ask you this--what really happens when water is poured on the fire in the trenches? I propose to you today, that it only fuels the fire! Where is the God of Elijah? He's in you. Don't let the enemy lie and use water to put out the fire. Maintain your faith in the promises of God. Keep an attitude of gratitude, speaking truth so there is redemption, and use the water for fuel to fan the flames. And when the people see the fire, they'll say, "The Lord He is God, the Lord He is God" (I Kings 18:39).We Must Persevere
Once you've endured the fire and have received the passion, you must persevere. You made it; you've come so very far. Jesus didn't quit at Gethsemane . He went all the way to crucifixion! Once you've sustained the fiery furnace you can't give up, put up, shut up, or turn around. You must set your heart like flint, ready to go all the way with God! It's in " Gethsemane " that we say, "Father, not my will but Thine be done."Dear ones, may we allow the Lord to prepare us in the fire for, "In the last days, God says, "I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, (flames of fire) both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the Heaven above and signs on the earth below..." (Acts 2:17-19, emphasis mine). May we allow the Lord to prepare us down here, so we'll fit in up there, when we meet our God whose eyes are like flaming fire? II Timothy 2:8-13 from The Message:
"Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It's what you've heard from me all along. It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now--but God's Word isn't in jail! That's why I stick it out here--so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing: If we die with Him, we'll live with Him; If we stick it out with Him, we'll rule with Him; If we turn our backs on Him, He'll turn His back on us; If we give up on Him, He does not give up--for there's no way He can be false to Himself."
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