the FireCarrier

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it Psalm 118:24 (NASB) Sometimes we need that reminder to rejoiceful. Sometimes, we just need to speak to ourselves to be glad in whose we are.

“He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God.  But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:  ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’ ””  Mark 4:11-12 (NLT) Open my heart to learn your secrets. Help me to enlarge the space for your Spirit to fill within me.

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples,  “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”” Mark 4:39-40 (NIV) It has been centuries since He crossed that lake with them. We've seen  the whole picture given us in words.  We can read of his ultimate authority  and giving. We can experience his love and forgiveness, yet... I wonder would He still be asking you or me "Why are you so afraid?"

“Again he began to teach by the lake. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there while the whole crowd was on the shore by the lake. He taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching said to them: And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it did not have much soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. When the sun came up it was scorched, and because it did not have sufficient root, it withered.  Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up and choked it, and it did not produce grain. But other seed fell on good soil and produced grain, sprouting and growing; some yielded thirty times as much, some sixty, and some a hundred times.”  And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear had better listen!”” Mark 4:1-2, 4-9 (NET) Father, Help us identify in you, to realize "what" we are sowing and where we are sowing. Help

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NLT) For those periods of drought and inward thinking, look to Him. Ask Him. Seek from Him the plans He has for you.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) Who or what are we reflecting to those we come across in our daily walk? Are they your thoughts or His truths?

“Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him,  “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”  So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.”  And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire;  and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said,

“Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” Exodus 33:7-11 (NIV) We too have this opportunity to ask of God.  

Coincidence??  Early last evening I had stepped outside to feed the birds. When I came back in the tv could not make connection. As I went upstairs to check the equipment I could clearly see that none of the network router lights were illuminated.  All were black nothing was working.  I came back down stairs and did a quick look at the circuit panel and with my expert knowledge I could recognize no issues. As I went back upstairs I realized that the computer was fully down too, yet the room lights were fully illuminated.  I t turns out, the surge-protector / power supply had failed and all items using the right side were powerless, much like myself at this time.  I was reminded of THE source of power in Luke 24:49.  Internal failure identified, correction underway. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  Luke 24:49 (NIV)

“You are to make the altar hollow with planks; as you were shown on the mountain [of Sinai], so shall it be made.”  Exodus 27:8 (AMP) Are we aware of what is important to Him> We must learn to pay attention to what He shows us despite the "where".  

“The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;  The God of glory thunders,  The LORD is over many waters.  The voice of the LORD is powerful,  The voice of the LORD is majestic.  The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;  Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.  He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox.  The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.  The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;  The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.” Psalms 29:3-8 (NASB) Oh that I would learn to recognize that voice

He still answers those who speak with Him... “On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.” Exodus 19:16-19 (NIV) Sometimes we must closely listen, while other times we must stand within the awe which He allows to perfect us.

Reach out to me - I have withheld nothing from you. Look to me and call out what I speak within you.  Let the past lie behind you. Move ever forward in my ways. Stretch to meet what I have each day for you.  Bring wholeness and my acceptance to the poor I show you. Reach out with my guidance and love. Don't worry if it seems too large or daunting for you. It should seem that way, so my works can be manifest through you. Grow in me and watch what I can do. Stop looking at your past failures; I stand before you as the fire-by night and the large cloud of guidance.

Despite how it seems today, know this: Jesus loves you. He’s there with directions, instructions, guidance, support. Despite how you or I act or feel… His love continues. He is never-ending. Call out. He will answer. He is there for you.

It is becoming increasingly common for me to see trains on my daily dog-walks. In fact, we hardly have a day without a train-sighting.  I’ve altered the time of day of the walks, and it is a rarity to not come across a train.  Now there are usually two trains during the walk. We see both their beginning and their end. I realize that trains have always been a sign for me.  It was on an April 1973 train-track which I encountered Holy Spirit.  I’m open, if you feel you have any insight for me. “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”” Luke 8:17-18 NASB