TODAY’S INSPIRATION:THROUGH THE FIRE…

 “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

A financial crisis, a relationship heartbreak, job problems, family issues, the death of a loved one, a troubling diagnosis, this fallen dark world, whew chile! At times life can seem like you are in a wildfire, which is constantly spreading. While the pain and suffering seems never-ending, the good news is we can get through the fire. We can come out not burned or even smelling like smoke! How do we accomplish that? We get through, with the strength and peace that we receive from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus said that we would have troubles in this world. And scriptures tell us, not only does the world bring trouble, but we have a battle going on within. A battle that starts in our minds. Even after we believe and accept Jesus as Lord, our sinful nature remains, and that nature is an enemy of the Spirit of God. Which means we have to contend with a spiritual battle, flesh against spirit. And the battlefield is our minds.  

“Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7) 

“For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.” (Romans 8:7) 

“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” (Galatian 5:17) NLT 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Is there hope? There is if you are in Christ, because then He is in you. And because He lives inside of us, we can receive calm, peace, and strength from God even in the fires. God and His Word is what keeps the fires of this world from consuming us. The Bible tells us that we are to renew our minds in Christ. The reason being because real change can never happen if we don’t change our way of thinking and how we view the world. Your thoughts lead to actions. Change first takes place in the mind. Renewing our minds is important because it allows us to set our thoughts and affections on things above, instead of on earthly things. When our mind is renewed in Christ, we are able to focus on what is truly important, our relationship with God, others, and our eternal home. Also, when we renew our minds and fill them with the truth of the Bible, we are better equipped to make wise decisions and live in a way that pleases God. Renewing our minds enables us to stand firm against the lies of satan, who will try to deceive and distract us with the fires of this world. With the help of God, we can transform our minds. We must spend time with Him and fill our minds with the Word of God, meditating on scripture daily. This is how we protect and strengthen our minds. This is how we get through the fires of this world! 

“The renewing of our minds is not an instantaneous transformation but a lifelong process, and we must give ourselves to it if we ever hope to see the fruit of Christ’s redemption in our lives.” ___Dierich Bonhoeffe 

“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20) 

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2) 

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8) 

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2) 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 

I am reminded of the three Hebrew boys; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Daniel 3:1-30) King Nebuchadnezzar decided to make sure his authority continued to rule by unifying the races and nations under him with a common religion and image to worship. This was not a problem for other nations, who believed in more than one god, they just added this idol to their list of idols to worship. The Jews, however worshipped God and only God! The King had a dedication service to introduce the golden image, and everyone knew that they must bow before it or be thrown into the furnace. The political powers who led in worship were to be the first to bow before the image. Daniel’s three friends were numbered among the political leaders, thanks to Daniel’s recommendation and the promotion given them by King Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 2:48-49) However, during the celebration, the King was informed that the three Hebrew boys were disobeying his order to serve his gods and worship the golden image. They were summoned by the King, and he ordered them to either worship the golden image or be immediately cast into the blazing furnace. This is what the three boys said, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O King. But if not, be it known to you, O King that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” The King was furious at their refusal and ordered that they be cast into the furnace. By this time the furnace was so overheated that the flames of the fire killed the men who tossed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and was astonished. He said “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then the King came near to the door of the furnace and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” And all the people gathered around and saw that the fire had not burned their bodies, their hair was not scorched, their trousers not damaged, they did not even have the smell of fire on them! Don’t you love how God showed up and saved them and how He got the glory, even from King Nebuchadnezzar! These young men obeyed God by not bowing down even with the threat of being thrown into the fire. They trusted God to save them, and He did! We know as King Nebuchadnezzar discovered; God is faithful to His people. He will deliver us from the fires of life. God is bigger than any problem or situation we may be facing and there is no fire He can’t put out or walk us through!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:4-5) 

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) 

When we focus on God and His Kingdom, the fires don’t necessarily go away, although they sometimes do, but as the Hebrew boys said, even if they don’t, we know God got us. And when we know that God has us, worry, anxiety, and stress take a backseat to our faith in God. I encourage you to continue to have faith and perseverance through the fires of life. Do not faint or grow weary. God is there with you, and He won’t leave your side! Love and Blessings…

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3) 

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalms 68:19)

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never com to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”  (Lamentations 3:22-24) 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)