The way is through the fire

As a kid, back in 1974, I remember giggin’ to a hot dance track by the Ohio Players. The song started with a siren….and the opening salvo was: The way you walk and talk really sets me off
To a fuller love, …

This little bit of the song lead me to my word for today….FIRE and asking the question how does fire impact you? Are you singed? Are you burnt to a crisp, consumed in the flames or are comfortable in your refinement process?

Before I get into the word…I want to share a little something that you should keep in mind when you read todays message. Everything that we consider precious in life has been through some type of refinement process; both gold and silver have to go through the fire; coal has to be under tremendous pressure for a very long time in order to get a diamond. Cash has to go through a pressing and even an oyster has to be irritated in order to produce a pearl….you with me? I’m attempting to tell you that FIRE (trial) can be a friend or a foe it depends on YOU!!!

1 Corinthians 3: 12-14  12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.…

What are you building? Can it be tested? What is your foundation? Most, important question, how strong is your faith?

Luke 3:15 -17   …15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. 16 John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn. But He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”…

John the Baptist is giving what’s know as “protoevangelium” or what the old saints sang about “a foretaste” of the greatness to come and the refinement process to take place….

Let me just leave you with these questions and allow you to work it out: Is your faith of the same caliber and strength of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?  Can you go into the fire dancing knowing that God is present and doing a work? Is your process exemplary for other and testament to God?