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Destiny In Flames Destiny and purpose are two buzz words that have become an anchor in many circles of the church. The danger is when we get comfortable in our relationship with Christ Himself, we carry a banner that says “Jesus,” yet we make up our destiny as we go. We have the ability to do a lot in the “name of Jesus.” We are blind sided to the fact that our “doing” is as a result of who we are at heart. Our character not our deeds, will define the legacy that we leave behind us. Our deeds can only flow from out of the established character. Heb 5:8-9 (KJV) “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him…” Obedience itself is an expression of the character of Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that His suffering that gave Him freedom to move into obedience. Fascinating enough, if you and I want His penmanship, as an author, in our lives it will come through our obedience. But answer this, how will we come into obedience? Yes, we come through suffering. If name denotes character, then for us to do something in the name of Jesus, we must first be able to tap into the character of Jesus. That is where suffering is established in our lives. 1 Pet 4:12-14 (KJV) “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings…” For those who have been on the church block for some time it will be hard to embrace a facet of truth such as this. We have lived under the thinking that if something is wrong with my circumstances than something is wrong with me. John 9:2-4 (KJV) “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” The same mentality the disciples had toward the blind man is the same we have had in the past for people who have had hellish circumstance: “I wonder what sin they have in their life.” Truly, the church has been shallow in her thinking. For those who hunger after the heart of God that kind of mentality will be cut loose from their thoughts. The beautiful thing for us who are willing to endure the fiery trials is that they will have the works of God manifest in their life. Your circumstances will become your fiery furnace. It is worth mentioning, the works of God are found in the hottest of fire. The next question is: Will the fourth man be seen in your circumstantial furnace? Hebrews 12:29 (KJV) “For our God is a consuming fire.” We certainly would not argue that Jesus is the King of Kings, but in light of Hebrews 12: 29 it could be said that He is the Fire of Fires. No matter how trying the trial in which we find ourselves, He will consume even the fieriest ordeal. Revelation 1:14 (KJV) “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire…” With those two scriptures in mind, let’s look at: Luke 11:34 (KJV) “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light…” The light of the body is the eye. That means that the light with which the body is filled will be dictated by the eyes that see for the body. As a side note, be reminded that the church of Jesus Christ is the Body of Christ as well. However, let it be known that if we are not in line with or in subjection to the head, which is Christ, we are neither in His body nor His church. The body must be obedient to the head. Finally, if the eyes of Christ are as a flame of fire then in our obedience we will find ourselves, as His body, filled with that same light and we will know that our God has consumed us. This is our destiny and this is our purpose. - John L. Frost March Newsletter 2003 | Faith to the Finish | Are You Ready to Ride? Pastor's Journal March 2003 | Destiny in Flames | Precious Seed - part 3 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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