The Fire of God By Bill Carlson Guest Minister Monday July 21st

I am happy to share with you the truth about the fire of God that should change your life and give you hope for a better relationship with Jesus.

I asked a friend of mine, who has a gift of  'word of knowledge', "how can you get closer to the Lord in your walk with Jesus?" He said, "just renounce any doubt, fear or unbelief that has troubled you in the past."

"Father, I thank you for a fresh anointing on your word today, so that changes will be made in their lives that would bring hope, that will make their lives come alive and bring fresh revelation into their spirits in Jesus' name, Amen. Father speak through me as I submit my will to the cross of Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord Jesus for a fresh move and touch of your breath and wind upon them now in Jesus' name, Amen!"

Matthew 23:25-26, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also." This is a metaphorical that highlights the importance of inner purity over outward appearances. It emphasizes that righteousness and cleanliness begin within a persons' heart and character rather than us being solely focused on external action or rituals.  Again, this is a metaphorical expression where Jesus uses the image of a cup to highlight the importance of inner purity over outward 'appearances.'  In essence, Jesus is accusing the religious leaders of their time of being concerned only with outward appearance while their inner lives were full of moral corruption. The cleaning of the outside of the cup or dish while leaving the inside filthy to highlight their hypocrisy. The Pharisees' had the responsibility to clean the utensils by the law in the book of Leviticus.

We all have two parts of us that can be known by man. Our outward appearance and our inner appearance, our heart. God knows our heart. Jesus knows all of our inner thoughts, hidden sin and behavior we have. You may fool your friends by outward actions, but not God. We cannot run from Him. He knows all of our sin and thoughts. The answer is found in what David did for his sin with Bathsheba. Confession and repentance of sin. Read Psalm 51. This way David's 'cup' is clean and forgiven.  You see David did not see his sin, but when he was confronted by the prophet Nathan, his eyes were opened to the sin hidden. 2 Samuel 12:1-7 The prophet Nathan spoke of stealing the poor man's' sheep and let David know he was that man. Again, read Psalm 51.

I had a daughter who had to be disciplined. She was too old to spank so I told her to read Psalm 51 each day for a week and then we will talk. I forgave her for her mistake but she had to forgive herself in order for her not to make that mistake again.

Fire is a symbol that runs deep throughout scripture. From Gods view, His power is a reminder that His work in our lives is to refine us. The fire of repentance is both the awe-inspiring and transformative nature of God. Psalm 66:10 "For You, Oh God, have tried us, You have refined us as silver is refined." Refined through trials, He purifies us, making us like Him. Proverbs 17:3 "The refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold. But the Lord tests the hearts."   Acts 15:8-9 "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."  In 1 Peter 1:7 the Bible also speaks of faith that is on fire. A faith that is alive and vibrant. 1 Peter 1:7 "so that the genuineness (proof) of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes (is perishable), though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Faith on fire is faith that has been tested and proven. It is not easily shaken by challenges or trials. Instead, like gold in a furnace, our faith is refined and purified by the hardship that we face. This kind of faith shines brightly, bringing glory to God and showing others the strength of a life rooted in Him. Having faith on fire means living with conviction, trusting God fully, and remaining steadfast through life's difficulties. It is a faith that is fueled by our relationship with God and makes us stronger. The more we rely on Him, that 'gold' is purified by fire. What does the Bible say about fire? This is one of my favorite bible verses, for wanting to change your life; Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire." This image as a consuming fire speaks to His intensity and the reverence He commands. God's fire purges sin and evil and it also ignites faith, deepens faith and passion.  In His people, God's power and holiness has the capacity to judge sin. It is not merely a description of God's presence, but also that God can consume those who reject Him or defy His will. This verse highlights how we should approach God; Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Fire also represents God's guidance. In Exodus 13:21 "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night." Free air conditioning and heat at night! The refining fire of testing actually clears away within us, so that the fire of Holy Spirit can perform a deep and lasting work within us. Transformation from the inside out. Then, He sets us ablaze with His glory so we can obey what He asks us to do. This reveals His nature and power to others through our lives.

I want to encourage you to decide today to be receptive to His purifying power. Allow Him to teach you what aspects of your life need to change. As you do, those refining fires will make you spiritually richer, and stronger to be used by the Lord for His glory. God's nature is a consuming fire. He is Holy, powerful and demands reverence. This verse invites us to approach God with respect, acknowledging His purity, power and strength. Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not My word like a fire?", says the Lord, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" God's word is compared to fire showing its ability to purify, illuminate and break through the jaded heart. 1Kings 18:20-40 Powerful narrative about choosing between God and idolatry. It highlights the contest on Mount Carmel where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal. A showdown which proved God was the true God. Elijah's victory, demonstrated by fire from heaven consuming the altar, served a powerful testament to power and supremacy of the Lord.

Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you."God promises to protect us through life's fiery trials. No matter what challenges we may face, we are not alone. His presence shields us. This is a message of hope and assurance to his people. He promises to save us.

No matter what you may face in this life, He will be there . Water symbolizes overcoming challenging situations or hard times in our life. Everyone will face these possibilities. Fire trial or suffering something that can harm or destroy your walk through the fire and it will not be burned. Trials may come but not consume us spiritually.

Romans 8:31-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God. When the situation looks impossible, believe God's help will come. You will endure and overcome.

Daniel 3:16-26 The 3 Hebrew young men that refused to bow down to the King. After being thrown into the fiery furnace were not burned or even had the smell of smoke on them. The King exclaimed 'Look I see four men loose and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm. Why? Because God was with them! This reminds us no matter how intense the heat, God's presence protects and preserves us. You may have to declare that you will not bow down to false gods but only to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He alone will you worship. He alone is worthy to receive Glory, honor and power. Revelation 4:11.

God uses fire to cleanse and restore, symbolizing both His judgment and His purification to make us holy. Moses call of God to lead Israel out of bondage into the promised land. See Exodus 3. Moses looked and behold the bush was burning with fire yet the bush was not consumed. God appeared to Moses in the burning bush showing His presence in a miraculous way. This reminds us that God often uses fire to get our attention. Questions that arose from this encounter with God or the excuses of Moses. Who am I? Exodus 3:11 What if they do not believe me? Exodus 4:1 I am not eloquent in speech Exodus 4:10 Please send someone else Exodus 4:13 Do not make excuses for not answering the call on your life. When the Lord calls you, He has a plan for your life. A purpose and direction. He wants you to follow Him. He speaks primarily through His word using the gifts of  the Spirit. Holy Spirit leads and guides us in all truth. He is the Spirit of truth.  John 15:26 "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds' from the Father, he shall testify of me." Someone who can speak the word and build you up in the Lord as found in 1 Corinthians 12. The same Spirit, wisdom, knowledge and faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, interpretation of tongues. One and the same spirit works all of these things, distributing to each individually as He wills. Jude verse 20 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,". Praying in the Holy Spirit, using your heavenly language will build you up spiritually. It is used for personal edification.  An example of the gifts is when Sherrie gave an interpretation of tongues to the church during her fine teaching on the authority of the believer.

Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John is saying, I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but He who is coming after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. The purpose of the baptism of the Holy Ghost is to empower believers for service, to witness, for spiritual warfare and boldness in their testimony.  John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart (belly, inner most being) will flow rivers of living water." It is referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which the believers provide the breath or wind. Jesus provides the language but it has to bypass your brain. Do not listen to your thoughts. Believe the language is from Holy Spirit.   Acts 2:3-4 "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance." At Pentecost, that was a sign of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples, making a transformation of power. You can use that power, moving in the gifts of the Spirit, as the Lord directs. Remember, your salvation in Jesus, this same Holy Spirit came inside of you. The baptism of the Holy Spirit came upon you in a different dimension of the Spirit. We had a pastor from Living Faith Fellowship Canada who told the story that Heb Meroud preached in his church. And the Holy Spirit came as a rushing wind and half of the people fell on their faces, spoke in tongues and others ran out the door! If you want the power of Holy Spirit, then submit and yield to the will of your savior Jesus Christ. You will begin to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Use your faith. Apply the blood of Jesus over yourself if tongues are not manifested.

Keep the fire burning. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 " Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies."  Revelation 2:4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent. But this you have, that you have the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." Do not compromise your faith with sin. 2 Timothy 1:5-6 "when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands."Loving God under trials. James 1: 12-13 " Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God." for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." You have a concept of being used by God with gifts of the Spirit in operation. Learn to trust the Lord as He brings people into your life that are hurting, that need help from the Lord. Speak the truth in love and see them as God sees them. Be bold for the Lord. Temptation does not come from God but from our own desires, which leads to sin and ultimately death.

Living Faith Fellowship was started by two families who were hungry for more of the Lord. After studying for two years in the Bethel series, we knew there was more to discover from the Bible. Our Lutheran church was dead. They used historical teaching with no life because they did not have the key to life. So the Lord led us to Cass & Lida Knoster who were sent to Africa in 1965. They  began to preach Jesus saves, heals and delivers. They also gave us a vision of a New Testament church functioning  the way the Lord intended. By teaching the Kingdom of God, they would produce good fruit and grew and matured in Christ. The church grew from two families to seven families, meeting from house to house, sharing scriptures. 1 Corinthians 14:26 "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." This meant body ministry. Everyone was free to move by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Most churches do not have that Freedom. There is too much control by the leaders. Everything must be submitted to the leadership for their approval. So there was no room for freedom and we felt we were a prototype of a local church. Learning to trust the Lord in a deeper way. Starting in 1972 until 2017, there were up to 53 persons attending. We divided up, going from house to house each week. We had a great revival in our community for many years. We lost members when our leadership passed away. Our church did not want to be a bless me club only. We supported the ministry of Cass and Lida as well as local charities. For all those many years we walked in the light the Lord gave us. We were faithful to the call to start a local church. Each member, even a child, could chose a song, even Father Abraham! Anyone could start to sing in the spirit and to promote worship. It was always controlled by the Holy Spirit.  We enjoyed His presence of freedom of the Lord. The teaching was always uplifting to everyone, whatever level they were at. In 1975, we filed for tax exemption, 501C so supporters could make gifts into living Faith Mission account tax free.

My prayer for you is to be filled with Jesus' power, fire and all the knowledge of Him, the word of God and live your life with faith. Do what He has called you to do and become in Jesus. Be a part of the body that is connected to the head of the body, the Lord Jesus Christ. Have a new vision in your life for growth in your life. Be on fire for the Lord. If you are obedient and are working to have a clean cup for the Lord. He has plans for your walk with Him.

I will close with this Blessing for you. Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."

Be on fire for Jesus! Be a part of revival that starts with you.