Isaiah 43:1-3 – “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 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. 3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” NKJV

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the thought of “Walking Through the Fire” filled my thoughts.  As I read a Bible verse that has long been a cornerstone for me, it leaped off the page and embraced my mind and heart. Times like that are Priceless!

Isaiah 43:1-3 gives us a picture of trial by fire but victory! Each of us, from time to time, faces trials.  None of us is immune to difficulties and even tribulations.  Some of them are of our own making, and some are for the cause of the Kingdom of God.  Regardless, we have a promise from the Father that we can lay claim to here in this passage.  WE ARE HIS! He has given us a simple but powerful promise that I have stood on many times in the past and will probably stand on many times in the future.

The Promise is Powerful – “When we pass through the waters (either people or troubles), HE will be with us. When we go through the rivers (difficult times), they WILL NOT overflow, overwhelm, or overcome us. When we walk through the fire (tribulation, trouble) – we WILL NOT be burned!”

Hallelujah!  Not only not burned, but it was not even scorched.  We’ll walk out as the three Hebrew Children and not even have the smell of smoke on our clothes.  WHY?  Because He is the Lord our God, the Holy One of Israel, or Savior!

Therefore, be of good cheer; there is no problem that God cannot solve! There is no river that He cannot cross! There is no mountain that He cannot climb! There is nothing impossible with Him! Remember, we are in Him, so nothing is impossible to us who believe!

Today is a day of miracles, and I encourage you to walk in yours. No matter what you are facing, face it with the knowledge and assurance that you are not walking alone. HE IS THERE WITH YOU! And, if He is there, then everything’s going to be alright! Make this a day of rejoicing, it is a day of victory!

Lord, help us to learn to walk through the Fire with You!

Romans 12:1-2 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, something captured my consciousness about life and human nature. How easily distracted we are. That is reflected in many ways, including misplaced worship.

In 1 Samuel 8, we read about Samuel’s son’s carnality. Religious corruption opened the door for a longing to be like the world and the desire for a king, not God, to rule them. The root was selfishness.

Romans 12:1-2 reminds us that completely surrendered lives are transformed. Unsurrendered lives conform. Transformed lives see the assignment, whereas unsurrendered lives grope in spiritual blindness.

In Romans 13:12-14, we realize that light (Jesus) draws, but contention repels. If we become examples of Jesus, we will be like a light to a moth, drawing people to the truth. Focus on God, not the error, and we will win souls, not start religious wars.  If we give our entire selves to Jesus, focus on Him, treasuring the Word, we will be strengthened and strengthen others.

Romans 15:4 gives us a powerful truth we need. Value the history and examples recorded in the Old Testament. Those examples teach us life truths and provide knowledge that produces comfort and confidence (Hope). Comfort produces patience (rest and trust). The Word gives Hope! Not wishful thinking, but confident assurance.

Romans 15:13 – “Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace so that by faith you may abound in HOPE, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

If we give God everything, He lights the fire of HOPE in us, and we become transformed and unshakable. We become lights in darkness and heal. Everything flows out of surrendering to Love!   Consider Romans 12. This provides an example of daily function. Become what God made and gifted you to be.

Lord, help us to live surrendered lives so that we can live in your presence!

Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God, I was reminded of something the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart before the new year arrived. That reminder has stirred my heart beyond words.

In the Last Days, there will be a spiritual renewal that will produce a powerful revival, bringing about a restoration of all that was lost.  Out of those three comes a fourth word that is powerful.  What is that Word? It is Revision. What do we mean by Revision?

Let’s consider some elements of the Last Day’s Revision:

•There will be a Revision of our Expectations.

We will become Kingdom Conscious.  We will learn to live in the atmosphere of heaven.  We will begin expecting the Kingdom of God to be manifest on Earth NOW, not someday!

•There will be a complete Revision of our Perspective.

We will rethink our view of the Kingdom.  We will rethink our view of God’s Promises.  We will rethink our view of God’s Purposes.  We will rethink our view of God’s Power.

• There will be a Revision of our Purposes.

It is vital that we comprehend that doing what we have always done will not produce what we have not achieved. If we are going to be the Body of Christ manifest, we have to become the Body of Christ in purpose.

• There will be a Revision of our Prayers.

This will be a total transformation of our prayer life. We will be unwilling to settle for anything less than the fullness of God’s Purposes, Power, and Provision.  We will refuse to excuse ineffective prayers.  We will demonstrate a mental acceptance or verbal expression of belief in the Covenant, Person, Purpose, Power, and Provisions of God. 

There is a Danger and a Warning we need to Heed:

It is possible to give assent to the validity of the Bible and never fully live its purposes.  We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work the work of Revision in our lives so that we are not just followers of Christ but one with Him. We will no longer simply represent Him, but we will manifest Him. We will no longer talk about God; we will demonstrate God. We will no longer pray hoping, but we will pray expecting and pray until.

Are you Ready for Revision? Are you Ready for the Last Days, Revival, Renewal, and Restoration?  It cannot and will not happen until there is God’s Divine Revision in us and through us. In a great sense, we are the Key to the Last Days’ Harvest.  We have the Call, the Commission, and the Covenant. Are we willing to fully surrender our all to Him and die to Self and Live to Him?

Isaiah 1:19 declares that if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the good of the land! Are we Hungry? Are we Ready? There will be a Harvest, a Renewal, a Restoration, and a Revival, and we will either experience the Revision and participate in it, or we will watch it transpire from the outside. My cry is, “Include me, LORD! Revise Me, LORD!” The song “I Surrender All” is echoing in my heart now!

Lord, Revive us, Restore us, Renew us, and Revise us!

John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

As I reread the words in Exodus 3:14 – “I AM that I AM” something stirred in me powerfully.  I was reminded of a recent event in my time of prayer, reading, and musing on the word of God. 

Something is stirring in me powerfully.  About 10 days ago, I sensed that the LORD was speaking to my heart a message that was for me and others, including some entire congregations.

I believe God still speaks today, and in my heart of hearts, I believe He was speaking to me.  I share it with you, and if it resonates and you can embrace it, I believe it will be meaningful.  If you do not, that is your choice and privilege. 

I believe the LORD spoke to my Spirit and said, “The LORD your God would say to you, ‘You say you desire my power, presence, miracles, and gifts to operate in your life and among you.  If that is truly your desire, then give me space, time, place, and opportunity to manifest myself.   I do not want your performance; I want you!  I want your heart, your thoughts, and your love.  I want you to be an empty vessel that I can fill.” 

As I contemplated what I was hearing, I heard,“You do not have to be busy!  You do not have to be afraid of silence.  Be still in My presence, and in that stillness, I will reveal Myself. I desire to release things to you, through you, and in you that you dare not even ask.  I want to use you to bring in My harvest.  I want to use you to set captives free.  Only as you give Me time, space, place, and opportunity will you see the manifestation of My power, presence, and miracles.   Be Still!  Be Still!  Be Still!   If you genuinely believe that I AM real, BE STILL!”

I continued in meditation and prayer and heard this conclusion, “Sometimes you need to stop talking, stop singing, stop doing, and LISTEN!   Be Still!  Be Still!  Be Still, and I Will!   Be still, and I will make it real.  Be still and let Me fill your house!”

Evil abounds, but God’s grace abounds much more!  The harvest is ripe, and the world needs us (all of us) to be who God says we are – Overcomers and Vessels He can use for His chosen purposes.     I want His Power, Presence, Miracles, and Gifts to operate in me and through me!   I want to pull down strongholds through His Name and Power!   I want to see the powers of darkness put to flight!

I know this was for me, and I believe it could be for others as well.   If it resonates with you, embrace it!   God is the Living God!  He is the Speaking God!  He is the Almighty God!   We are more than conquerors through Jesus!     I never want to limit God by my doubt, hesitance, and fear!

Lord, help us to empty ourselves so that we can be filled with You!

Judges 6:12-17 – “The angel of the Lord appeared and said to him, “The Lord is with you, courageous warrior!” ¹³ Gideon said to him, “Pardon me, but if the Lord is with us, why has such disaster overtaken us? Where are all his miraculous deeds our ancestors told us about? They said, ‘Did the Lord not bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.” ¹⁴ Then the Lord himself turned to him and said, “You have the strength. Deliver Israel from the power of the Midianites! Have I not sent you?” ¹⁵ Gideon said to him, “But Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Just look! My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my family.” ¹⁶ The Lord said to him, “Ah, but I will be with you! You will strike down the whole Midianite army.” ¹⁷ Gideon said to him, “If you really are pleased with me, then give me a sign as proof that it is really you speaking with me.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, God’s patience and purpose filled my thoughts. Repeatedly, Israel rebelled, then repented, and God restored them. The cycle seemed endless.

Finally, before his death, Joshua challenged them in Joshua 24:13-15. He invoked the Blessing – This is what God has given you. He gave the Charge: reverence Him, serve Him in sincerity and truth.  Come out from among them and be set apart to God. Then, he asked for a commitment. Make up your mind – God or the world?

In God’s mercy, He chose a deliverer named Gideon. In Judges 6:12-17, we see the progression that inspired faith and courage and produced victory.

• Verse 12 – The Identity. God revealed who Gideon was, not who he thought he was.
• Verse 13 – we find Gideon’s question. If this is true, then why this? We’ve all been there.
• Verse 14 – God gives the commission – You go in this might, you possess and deliver Israel. What might? The might of God in Him and through Him.
• Verse 16 – we have The Promise – I will be with you. That weight of those words carried him to and through his objections to His promise.
• Verse 17 – we have the confirmation. Out of the promise and confirmation, we have Chapter 7 – the Completion of the Deliverance.

The strength of the confidence in the Word of the LORD kept Gideon strong and defeated fear.  An army of 32,000 reduced to 10,000 is reason to fear. But 10,000 reduced to 300 is beyond the pale. God, have you lost your mind?  He remembered the promise, “I will be with you.”  He knew the Pentateuch, and that 1 could chase 1000 and 2 would put 10000 to flight.   

Against all odds, He trusted God! What are you facing today?  God is with you. Christ is in you. As Joshua challenged, it is your choice. We can be one who turns back or one who goes forward, declaring – God is with me. Therefore, I am undefeatable! Your choice!

Lord help us to see ourselves as You see us and live as who You declare us to be!