Saturday, February 25, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Fire of God
The fire of God is an interesting thing to look into during this season where some are looking for a move of God to appear and drastically change this current generation. During many revivals in many different parts of the world at many different times a common theme arises. Send the fire. We see it in past and recent songs. Such phrases as "send the fire", "revival fire fall", and "Fire of God fall on us" are just a few examples. I often wonder though if people really understand what they are asking for. I am all about the fire of God moving through us but I thought I should mention some things I have learned and seen along the way as well. The big question is this. If we are asking for the fire of God what does the fire of God do and what is it?
In Exodus we see that a pillar of fire led the way by night. It was a form of guidance and protection from God for His children in the desert. The fire of God will lead us to the things of God. It will also protect us from the traps of the enemy. It will shed light on those things in front of us that are meant to cause us to fall. The fire of God will also purify us. Like a natural fire the fire of God will apply heat and cause pressure to build up in areas that need to be refined. In the natural gold will melt under such heat and the impurities rise to the top. In the spiritual the fire of God will apply heat, melting us, which takes us out of the man made shape so we can be formed into the shape that God needs or wants us in. It will also cause the impurities in our lives to be brought to the surface, exposed, and sometimes painfully removed. When we are unwilling to let those impurities be removed the purification process changes. The fire of God can burn and scorch you. God and sin can not cohabit and if you ask to be refined and then are unwilling to let go of the impurities it will suddenly get very hot. In 1 Samuel we see that the sons of Eli were destroyed by God because of their unwillingness to obey God and stop scorning His sacrifice. If we are unwilling to have the impurities removed then we become the impurities that must be removed. I am so grateful that we serve a merciful and patient God. That being said if we call down the fire and ask to be purified I pray that each of us is ready to give up the impurities that as humans we so often try to hold onto.
The final thing the fire of God does in bring the power of God. When the Holy Spirit settles into a place for a while there are often, if not always, signs and wonders. There is a tangible sense of the power of God in a place where the Holy Spirit has settled in. When we go through the process and the power of God comes through the Fire of God it is not for us to enjoy being empowered. The fire of God is not for our edification. It is for the edification of God. The fire empowers us to proclaim the good news to the lost and broken.
Keep in mind that the fire of God is a process. First it leads and directs us then it purifies us and finally it empowers us to reach the lost and spread the kingdom of God. Flame on my brothers and sisters.
Pastor Jonathan Noah
In Exodus we see that a pillar of fire led the way by night. It was a form of guidance and protection from God for His children in the desert. The fire of God will lead us to the things of God. It will also protect us from the traps of the enemy. It will shed light on those things in front of us that are meant to cause us to fall. The fire of God will also purify us. Like a natural fire the fire of God will apply heat and cause pressure to build up in areas that need to be refined. In the natural gold will melt under such heat and the impurities rise to the top. In the spiritual the fire of God will apply heat, melting us, which takes us out of the man made shape so we can be formed into the shape that God needs or wants us in. It will also cause the impurities in our lives to be brought to the surface, exposed, and sometimes painfully removed. When we are unwilling to let those impurities be removed the purification process changes. The fire of God can burn and scorch you. God and sin can not cohabit and if you ask to be refined and then are unwilling to let go of the impurities it will suddenly get very hot. In 1 Samuel we see that the sons of Eli were destroyed by God because of their unwillingness to obey God and stop scorning His sacrifice. If we are unwilling to have the impurities removed then we become the impurities that must be removed. I am so grateful that we serve a merciful and patient God. That being said if we call down the fire and ask to be purified I pray that each of us is ready to give up the impurities that as humans we so often try to hold onto.
The final thing the fire of God does in bring the power of God. When the Holy Spirit settles into a place for a while there are often, if not always, signs and wonders. There is a tangible sense of the power of God in a place where the Holy Spirit has settled in. When we go through the process and the power of God comes through the Fire of God it is not for us to enjoy being empowered. The fire of God is not for our edification. It is for the edification of God. The fire empowers us to proclaim the good news to the lost and broken.
Keep in mind that the fire of God is a process. First it leads and directs us then it purifies us and finally it empowers us to reach the lost and spread the kingdom of God. Flame on my brothers and sisters.
Pastor Jonathan Noah
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
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