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August 3, 2006
"The daily prophetic words that are sent to our 131,000+ subscribers are made possible by the purchase of products like those featured in this email. You may purchase them directly from this email, or visit our online store at www.elijahshopper.com."
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Paulette
Reed: "HE MAKES HIS SERVANTS FLAMES OF FIRE"
 Endorsement
from Francis Frangipane:
"Paulette Reed is serving in our ministry as the Chief Administrator of our
school. She is a Godly woman who has a strong love for excellence. At the same
time, she has proven to be flexible and submissive, quick to adjust to the
priorities of those she serves.
She is a woman of faith, grace and spiritual maturity. We are blessed to have
her among us."
Francis Frangipane
Senior Pastor, River of Life Ministries
Director, In Christ's Image Ministry School
A Baptism To
Undergo
Much of our world insists on things being
accomplished quickly! The computer we purchased only a year ago needs more RAM,
and the microwave seems to take "forever." Granted, we are living in an
accelerated hour in the Church as well, and will certainly witness many
"suddenlies" of God. However, one characteristic of the fire of God, defies
instant gratification.
Those saints who will appear to catapult
into their destiny overnight will have a different tale to tell. Divine
preparation always involves a time of waiting, waiting and, did I mention
waiting? There is a baptism to undergo--a season in the fire before we're able
to send the flame forth with relevance for the Kingdom of God.
Jesus says in Luke 12:49-50, "I have come to bring fire
on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to
undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed."
Preparation to Carry the Fire
Let's ponder how God intends to send the
fire He speaks of around the earth. Well, as always, the Father loves to work
through His precious daughters and sons as we represent Jesus to the people. The
Word shows us in Genesis 22, that Abraham
"carried the fire," implying that we, too, are called to be torches.
In preparation for a sovereign move upon the earth, rest assured, God would not
hide your destiny "from you," however, He may hide it "for you." He will conceal
your destiny until your response to preparation reveals you are ready for
manifestation. God may even ask us to lay our dream upon the altar, as with
Abraham and Isaac. He wants to see if we are serving the dream, or the Dream
Giver. Fear not, He will return the dream unharmed once we pass the test of
obedience.
It only makes sense, beloved, that we are unable to carry the fire of God to the
nations until we ourselves have experienced the furnace. We can impart nothing
unless the Creator first deposits it within us. Consequently, the Father
perfectly orchestrates our steps so all of us are blessed with his or her unique
baptism of fire.
What is the Baptism Jesus is Speaking Of?
What is this baptism Jesus says He must
undergo before He brings fire upon the earth? Jesus speaks of a baptism of
agony. He speaks of Gethsemane--the oil press. He speaks of a baptism of pain,
anguish, and vicarious repentance.
He says, "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how
distressed I am until it is completed." He's saying He's pent-up,
distressed, not free to let the flame go forth. He's saying it is not yet time.
Listen friends, "Everyone will be salted with fire"
(Mark 9:49). Everyone! And, if a baptism of fire was necessary for
Jesus, it will most certainly be necessary for His followers. The baptism of
fire is difficult, indeed. However, we have not sweat drops of blood like our
precious Savior. We must not despise the hour of testing in light of the love
Jesus poured out on the cross.
Jesus proclaims His willingness to drink the cup full of bitterness, betrayal,
and mental and spiritual suffering. This cup contains agony and loneliness. He
is assured His baptism of fire will not be in vain.
Isaiah 53:11 states, "After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of
life, and be satisfied..." In other words, we rest in the knowledge
that this suffering will accomplish God's purposes. As you endure difficulties,
challenges or trials, dear ones, consider them purpose driven fires, suitable
for the Master Craftsman. James 1:2-3
challenges us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your
faith develops perseverance."
Tested in the Fiery Furnace
Many, many Christians today are being
tested, stretched, and tried. It's as if our God, whose eyes are like blazing
fire, is blowing His mighty wind from Heaven. He's fanning some smoldering wicks
as He equips His servants to become flames of fire. We should not be surprised
or amazed. The Apostle Paul writes that the believer's spiritual "foundation"
would be tested by fire to reveal the endurance of his faith and love
(I Corinthians 3:13-15).
When we consider the fiery furnace, we readily think of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego. We can compare the furnace of affliction and the process of refining
to that of pottery being fired in a kiln. In Genesis 11,
the Word speaks of bricks being baked. The brick kiln is mentioned in
Jeremiah 43, Nahum 3, and II Samuel 12.
It's important to note that the temperature in a kiln is always perfectly
controlled. So it is with God's processes. He won't turn up the heat any higher
than necessary in order to burn away impurities, producing transformation.
Another noteworthy feature of a kiln is its insulation. Without proper
insulation, it's impossible to control the heat. That says to me that we must be
appropriately covered in the righteousness of God, cloaked in humility, and
clothed in Christ Himself. It is when we are properly "insulated" that we can
trust God in the fire for transformation and not cremation.
Take heed, beloved. When entering a season of firing, don't run! Fleshly running
can produce more earthly oxygen, causing the flames to flare even hotter. Allow
only the breath of God do its work. Stop, drop, roll, and ask, "Father, what
part of self needs to die in here?"
God Transforms Tragedy into Triumph
Most of the impurities the fire burns away,
are obvious. Jealously, lust, pride, and greed, for example, cannot withstand
the fire of God. Yet, the Lord also uses what the opposition has thrown at us as
fuel for the fire of God. This Divine strategy creates the opposite of what the
enemy intended. Our Father is the champion of taking potential tragedy and
transforming it into triumph! In doing so, He creates an antidote for the glory
of His Kingdom!
Please, allow me to expound on this:
As God longs to bring unity to His
Church--He may allow a season of the fiery pain of disunity.
As God delights in igniting joy in the morning--He may allow sorrow for a night.
As God wants to engender honor--He may allow a season of dishonor in the
furnace.
As God desires for us to grow in grace--we may first experience a baptism of
disfavor.
As God longs to entrust us with Kingdom wealth, according to His riches in
Glory--He may allow a season of walking through the fire of poverty.
As God intends to exalt He servants--He may humble us in the flames.
As God begets us to be love--we may first experience the fiery darts of hatred.
It's important to remember, the enemy had
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego BOUND when he threw them into the furnace.
However, it was in that very fire that Jesus set them free. Alleluia!
Listen, friends, we don't just go from glory to glory. We are CHANGED from Glory
to Glory. II Corinthians 4:7 says,
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that
this all surpassing power is from God, and not from us." When jars of
clay go into the kiln, they are a brown, gooey consistency that doesn't have
much strength or resistance. But after firing, a beautiful piece of pottery
emerges, strong and translucent, aglow from the fire, crafted by the Master
Potter's hands.
We need the refining fire, beloved. We need to see the Church on fire, ignited
for Christ Jesus. Since we know our God is a consuming fire, the Spirit of God
lives and dwells in us, and we want to do only what we see the Father do, should
we not be a consuming fire also?
When we lay hands on someone and pray
for them, they don't need to experience doctrine, they need to experience the
fire of God, the power of God! The world is waiting for a consuming fire, one
that burns up all that is not of God: cancer cells, addictions, sickness, and
disease. This is a fire that will light up the world!
Fire Produces Passion
In addition to the purity created in the
fire, a passion is imparted. This inner passion, imparted by the Holy Spirit, is
for God's righteousness and for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Fire is the image used throughout the Bible to describe the inner nature of
God's heart. I want to know the Father's heart; I want to have the Father's
heart. How about you? To possess the Father's heart is to walk in the love of
Jesus Christ and, at the same time, to feel wrath against sin. If that involves
a baptism of fire, so be it!
Fire heals, cleanses, purifies. The fire Jesus brings is holy fire! Fire
produces passion! It's in the fire that that all of our false heroes, all of our
false kings die, and that's the season we will see the Lord.
Listen friends, it's in the fire that the Son of God is manifest. Alleluia! We
become more and more passionate for Him and His Kingdom because we realize we
must cling to Him, walk with Him, and become one with Him, as exquisite crystal
fused in a kiln. It's all preparation for an eternal dwelling as we recall in
Revelation 15:2, "And
I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the
sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the
number of his name. They held harps given them by God" (emphasis
mine).
Can I get an Amen here? The Son of God is manifest in the fire! In the fire of
our experiences, we truly realize He is all we will ever need. If you've been in
the fire, are in the fire, or will be in the fire, be encouraged; you are not
alone. The Savior of the world stands with you. The Rock of my salvation is in
that fire with you. The Restorer, the King of Glory, The Son of God, The Word,
Rabbi, The True Light, My Shield, My High Tower, The Great Physician, The
Ransom, The Peace Offering, A Ruler, The Refiner, and Purifier are in there with
you! "When you walk through the fire, you will not be
burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:2).
Beware, "wet blankets" will attempt to douse the fire and extinguish the
passion. Let me ask you this--what really happens when water is poured on the
fire in the trenches? I propose to you today, that it only fuels the fire! Where
is the God of Elijah? He's in you. Don't let the enemy lie and use water to put
out the fire. Maintain your faith in the promises of God. Keep an attitude of
gratitude, speaking truth so there is redemption, and use the water for fuel to
fan the flames. And when the people see the fire, they'll say,
"The Lord He is God, the Lord He is God" (I Kings
18:39).
We Must Persevere
Once you've endured the fire and have
received the passion, you must persevere. You made it; you've come so very far.
Jesus didn't quit at Gethsemane. He went all the way to crucifixion! Once you've
sustained the fiery furnace you can't give up, put up, shut up, or turn around.
You must set your heart like flint, ready to go all the way with God! It's in
"Gethsemane" that we say, "Father, not my will but Thine be done."
Dear ones, may we allow the Lord to prepare us in the fire for,
"In the last days, God says,
"I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My
servants, (flames of fire) both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in
those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the Heaven above and
signs on the earth below..." (Acts 2:17-19,
emphasis mine).
May we allow the Lord to prepare us down here, so we'll fit in up there, when we
meet our God whose eyes are like flaming fire? II
Timothy 2:8-13 from The Message:
"Fix this picture
firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the
dead. It's what you've heard from me all along. It's what I'm sitting in jail
for right now--but God's Word isn't in jail! That's why I stick it out here--so
that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory.
This is a sure thing: If we die with Him, we'll live with Him; If we stick it
out with Him, we'll rule with Him; If we turn our backs on Him, He'll turn His
back on us; If we give up on Him, He does not give up--for there's no way He can
be false to Himself."
Paulette Reed
Daughters of the Morning Ministries
www.dotmm.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paulette Reed's Upcoming Itinerary:
August 19, 2006
Womens Tri-State Retreat
Soaking in the Presence of God
Keokuk, IA
Contact: 319-524-8329
October 13-15, 2006
Releasing Freedom and Empowerment through Servanthood
Bethel Church/Multi-Church Retreat
Gold Beach, OR
Contact:
office@bethelchurcheureka.org or
Cheryl, 707-845-2360
"The daily prophetic words that are sent to our 131,000+ subscribers are made possible by the purchase of products like those featured in this email. You may purchase them directly from this email, or visit our online store at www.elijahshopper.com."
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"The Cycles of God"
Chuck Pierce says this about Robert Heidler's informative and fascinating book: "If you desire to walk in God's timing, and bring your life into line with His cycles, this book is for you!" You'll be amazed with God's calendar, and how it impacts your everyday life--and destiny. You'll also discover many awesome keys (some from the Old Testament) that point you back to God's plan--without putting you under the law. These keys will actually revive deep spiritual truths that lead to great blessing and liberty in Christ!
"Shake the
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"The Dream Giver"
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