"....Through Fire And...Water"

"....We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment ('saturation')....Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!"  (Psalm 66:12b & 20)

A few days ago I read from Brother Andrew's "Prayer Force" of the, "....fire and...water," through which young children in Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar, are going.  "Buddhist  extremists target children/youth in schools, forcing them to participate in rituals and learn Buddhist teachings."  

So many Followers of Jesus Christ around the Globe are experiencing similar persecution.  Yet, again, I remind us that most of the Biblical personages knew much conflict in their brief sojourn in this life, e.g., Jacob, Joseph, David.  Then there is Paul, who once penned, "....but we were afflicted on every side, conflicts without, fears within."  

You and I may not be going through the experiences of the children/youth mentioned above, but, "....fire and...water," can have different manifestations such as the, "conflicts on the outside, fears within" (CSB).  Whatever that may be in your life today, the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, "The Word of God," is that He will indeed bring, "us out to rich saturation."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I hold fast to Your Promise that in You is my, "....rich fulfillment/saturation."  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

“....A Heart of Stone....”

"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them.  And I will remove from them a heart of stone...." (Ezekiel 11)

I know this is not your conventional devotional, but I call upon you to prayerfully read Ezekiel 8-11.  Along with Daniel 10, there is the Word of Our Lord Jesus Christ here for this time.  It doesn't happen to me often, but for some reason, as I was reading these chapters this morning, tears came to my eyes.

Feel free to send me any impressions which you receive from these four chapters.  There is a "nowness" here which I cannot explain.  Again I am reminded that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to my heart 48 years ago to "get into Ezekiel."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for the revelation which I and Your Church need in theses days.  Amen.  

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“....Enthroned In The Praises....”

"But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel."  (Psalm 22:3)

The Word translated, "enthroned," means, "to sit, remain, dwell."  Glorious!  The Godhead, "sits, remains, dwells in the praises of," His People.  And, Praise Him, this is made possible in the Cross of Jesus, in the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The indwelling Presence of the Godhead brings the "with," "beside," and, "underneath," fellowship of the Old Covenant to their fulfillment-dimension.  Those realities are still present in those who Follow Jesus, but because of the Cross of Jesus Christ, "the Eternal One" can now live in those who surrender to Him.  For the Followers of Jesus, The, "Ever Present," One is the Ever-Indwelling One.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that You dwell in my praise.  Amen.

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Psalm 23

Here is Who/What I have in Jesus Christ, "....My Shepherd...:"

"No lack 

Green pastures

'Quiet waters of rest'

Soul restoration 

My Life Leader

My Righteous 

No fear of evil

My Comforter

Life's Table Full of provision

Anointing 

Overflowing Abundance 

Goodness

Mercy

Eternal Dwelling in Him

Father, in Jesus' Name, You are My Everything.  Amen.

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