Through the Fire

Matthew 3:11 (NLT) I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Jesus desires to baptize you with fire - a fire that will burn up everything that is unrighteous and ungodly and only leave what is pure and pleasing to Him.

Matthew 3:12 (NLT) He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.

This purging can be a painful process because it will require a sacrifice. Bad company will have to go, feeding the lustful desires of the flesh will have to end, but it is such a great cleanse for your soul that you will not miss the old ways. God allows us to learn a lot through this process which can be any time frame really. It's like someone who desires to do a detox or a cleanse with their physical body - the beginning is a struggle because you're starving your flesh by not feeding it what it's been craving - sugar, carbs, greasy foods etc. But once you get over that hump, your body will no longer desire what it was once fed. It will want to eat the healthy options for fuel rather than the sugars for a quick rush and even quicker crash.

God will always be with you during the process - the entire journey here is not done alone. We have a mighty savior that is coming to get a spotless bride - are you ready? Have you gone through the fire - the cleansing process, yet? Don't allow fear to stop you - the enemy would love for you to sit back and relax while more people get further away from the one true living God. We have a lot of work to do on this earth and I don't want anyone left behind - especially if there was something I could have done about it.

Matthew 24:12-14 (NLT) Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

As more and more nations are learning about the living God, the enemy is working even harder to distract people and distort their image of Jesus. Telling people there are no absolutes so their minds can become trashed with lies. Will you be one to stand up for Truth even when it isn't popular to do so? May we all be more concerned with what God thinks of us rather than man. The opinion of others will change by the day in this "woke" generation, but God's word is always a timeless Truth that must be preached so others may be saved. Choose to be a bright light in the darkness around us - press in more, study more, pray more, be persistent and do not give up and never give in to the lies of the devil. Seek Jesus, Seek Jesus, Seek Jesus!