We See The Fire, But Where's The Smoke?

      WE SEE THE FIRE, BUT WHERE'S THE SMOKE?

*Daniel 3* (The 3 Hebrew boys and Me!)

 One of the fondest things that I remember as a child, was when I would go to Sunday School on Sunday mornings. I loved to listen to the wonderful bible stories that my teacher would read to us, while showing us lots of colorful pictures. I remember the story of 3 young men, who had been cast into a fiery furnace because they would not bow down to worship the king's gods; and while in the fire they were met by an angel of the Lord, bringing the total to 4 men in the fire! We learned that although they were in the fire, they remained unharmed, without even the hint of smoke on them. The story ends with the King being amazed at what he sees and ultimately promotes them within the Kingdom as well as worship their God! Talk about a page turner!! I absolutely love this story because God is all over it!! Some of His greatest work ever witnessed by men!!

If you have ever had science, you are probably well aware, that when there is a fire; at least two things should be happening. Something is being consumed and as a result there should be "smoke!"....Well, this raises a few questions! Why didn't these young men burn up? why did the angel of the Lord meet them?  why wasn't there smoke when they were removed from the fire? and how does their story relate to me? ....... So glad, you asked!

If you are a child of God, who have gone through the fire, and you're still here! Say Amen!! Because this means that you have had a "fiery furnace" encounter!  There will be times, when you are faced with standing up for the God that you serve and as a result, you just may find yourself hitting some turbulence that you never asked for! Your response will be key in how you go through the fire and how you come out of it!  Your response, as a child of God, must be to trust God, count it all joy, and allow him to walk you into your victory! Your trials will land you in a fiery furnace from time to time and if you are in the will of God, you will find yourself face to face with your savior while there! Notice, that God did allow them to throw the three friends into the furnace! Why would he do that? Well, it was because he knew that he would be there waiting. No matter what you are going through, you can trust that God is waiting to supply you with strength, joy, and faith! People will wonder, how you're able to smile, hold your head up, and encourage others while going through a fire! The answer? because God is controlling the "effects" of the fire! What are the "effects?".....Well, its the things that will cause you to be consumed! Sin, doubt, anger, no prayer, no Word, no faith, and no trust! Remember! If nothing is consumed, there can be "No Smoke!" The 3 Hebrew boys knew where their faith  lied. Their faith was in Jehovah Shamah (God is with me!)
So, when life throws you into a fiery furnace, don't fear because God will meet you there! How do I know this? Because although 4 men were in the furnace, only 3 came out!! This is major because, it means that Jesus remains in the furnace of life, ready to walk you through, if you will only trust him! People will watch for signs of "smoke" but there won't be any! Because Jesus has already consumed (absorbed) it all!
Thank you Jesus! I will not fear what life sends my way, nor will I fear the furnace of life, because you, Lord, have made me "fireproof" and although they may see the fire! there won't be any smoke....because in you; I won't be consumed! Amen!

Now unto Him, who is able to do immeasureably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work with us.

                                                                ~Epheshians 3:20 NIV

Falling In Love With Jesus (A True Love Story)

                                            FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS

                                  (A TRUE LOVE STORY)

When I woke up this morning, I laid there staring at the ceiling as if it was speaking to me. There was something different in how I felt this morning; Something special! My heart was overflowing with joy! I began to think about all of the things that I had gone through and how the love of Jesus managed to rescue me when I thought that things would never turn out right. A feeling of warmth came all over me as I began to think of the one who has stolen my heart! Pull up a chair and let me tell you about this man, who must be Heaven Sent, just for me!

First of all, he is the most perfect gentleman! He lets me know every morning that I am on his mind; And when I look out of my window, he's there with an array of beautiful flowers, that seem to be swaying just for me; when I'm lonely, he walks with me and talks with me, and he never complains; he tells me that I am beautiful and worth far more than rubies! (no one has ever told me that before!); and that he loves me to the Heavens and back again! He shields me from the rain and even cares about my hair; yes, my hair! telling me that he has counted every one! I read his love letters every chance that I get and they seem to carry me from day to day.....always encouraging me, always guiding me! Until our next visit! 

Well, today I want him to know that I think the world of him too! I want him to know that I look forward to our daily walks and interesting talks! And it may sound silly, but I believe that the Sun and the moon shines because of him, and I want him to know that, when I smell the flowers that he sends to me daily, I begin to thank him for the wonderful scent all over them, reminding me of his presence; and that I appreciate that he hangs the stars in the sky to remind me of the number of times that he thinks of me! He gives me his all and I love him for that! "What shall I render! for a man who has given me his ALL? "What shall I render! for a man who has walked through the worst storms to rescue me? a man who holds conversations with his daddy about me! a man who has dispatched his angels to watch over me? a man who has anointed my head with oil and causes my cup to overflow! A man who retrieved keys from hell, so that I could be set free! ...and who makes sure that goodness AND mercy follows me!!.... What shall I render! for a man who is even establishing my future, that I may live with him forever! What shall I render to My Lord?.....My Savior....My Master!! I render my heart..... my body......, my mind, and soul to you! For there is none like you in all the Earth! You're Lord of Lords and King of Kings! 

Thank you for loving me so!!                            

 I love you too! To the Heavens and back again!

                                        ~ Michele

                                          

God, I've Fallen, And I Can't Get Up!

GOD, I'VE FALLEN, AND I CAN'T GET UP!! 


Have you ever been face to face with fear? I mean, the kind of fear that won't allow you to move!? I recall a story that a pastor once told his congregation, regarding the day his son was hit by a car. He explained to us, that, he and his wife were in the house talking and one of the neighborhood children ran into the house and informed them that their son had been hit by a car! He went on to explain, that when he and his wife stood up to go to him, his wife's legs went out and she hit the floor! Still in a panic, he jumped over his wife, and leaving her behind, went to his son's aid. Meanwhile, his wife sat on the floor, unable to move, unable to fix what was unfolding before her very eyes! Fear had taken hold of her and left her without the ability to react! He told us that she later explained to him, that all she could do was to pray that God would step in and make it alright! And guess what? He did! Their son was hurt, but alive!


Was God able to make her stand that day? Sure he was! But the truth was, that at that moment, he was teaching her to trust in His POWER! He needed for her to see first hand, that when she is weak; HE is made strong! So many of us go through life unable to receive what God has for us because we are simply, "scared to death!" of the outcome of what lies before us! We have allowed the enemy to render us totally "helpless" and once he gets us to that point, he attempts to squeeze every ounce of hope right out of us! He squeezes out that faith, he squeezes out that joy, and that belief that God is our Banner, always there to fight and work out that, in which we cannot! 
What comes to mind, when you think of Fear? In what ways has Satan brought you to a screeching holt? Unable to move! Unable to think straight! Unable to believe God! Sometimes we are face to face with a roaring lion and we have to know that at that time, only God can bring a lion to its knees! Can you imagine the fear of Daniel, when they threw him into a den of lions for refusing to let go of his prayer life? Are you kidding me? Who does that!! The enemy does! He will seek to devour you, every chance that he gets, but you are a praying child of the Most High King, and you better know that God will shut him down, so that you can stand! Isaiah 59:10 says, that, when the enemy comes in!... like a flood, God will raise up a standard (banner) against him! What I find interesting, is that, it is not talking about the enemy's flood, it is talking about God's flood!!! Hallelujah! It is His flood that comes in and destroys the enemy and his works! And wait! it gets better! Our God is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord, who is our banner, our victory (Exodus 17:15). Whew!! This is great news for you and I! God is raising a "banner" high for us when fear comes rushing in! A banner represents victory and sends the enemy running away with the fear that was intended for you!


This is major, because this means, that you CAN get up! Your God is in your corner, saying, "let me fight this battle for you! There are weapons that I have access to that you don't possess! The weapons that I have equipped you with, are PRAYER, THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE WORD, AND FAITH! Use them daily and trust in their power!!"
 When you fall, don't fear! Call on the matchless name of Jesus! HE is able to make you stand!


Scripture Reference:
Psalms 90:5 says, "you (God), carry them (enemy) away like a flood."
II Timothy 1:7 says, For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.