FIRE BY NIGHT
  
  
                                        "Reflections Upon Reflections" [of The Father's Heart]
  

        ...."You, in Your great compassion, did not forsake them in the wilderness; The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go".... Nehemiah 9:19 NASB


                                                                                                                    AUGUST 31ST


IF WE ARE TRULY SEEKING CHANGE FOR THE BETTER THEN WE MUST CAUSE ALL OF OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS TO LINE UP WITH THE WORD [WILL] OF GOD                      
             

Words of prophecy:


*       My children entering into a place of an abiding and perfect obedience is dependent upon them gaining a deep and "living" [active] revelation of the fact that what is continually sown to the flesh shall end in death, and what is continually sown to the Spirit shall end in life.

*       One should never allow themselves to lose sight of the "seeds" that they have sown in righteousness. For they shall surely come to the "fullness of fruition" - as that one maintains a "constant" faith and patience [perfect obedience] until the "fullness of time".

"constant" - long continuing [if necessary]; recurring; persistent; persevering; unchanging; a steadfast faithfulness in purpose;

*       The constant exercising of faith - and the "daily" maintenance thereof - leads to a continually deeper renewing of the mind.

*       The reason My discipline "seems" not to be joyful in the lives of My children [Hebrews 12:4-13] is because in the beginning of their consecration and sanctification there still remains within them the tendency to "view" all things through the eyes of the flesh. But as they diligently pursue holiness, and as they separate themselves from the world and are continually transformed by the renewing of their minds, this same discipline becomes the joy of their heart because they now have a revelation of the fact that ALL of My discipline is for their greatest eternal [and temporal] good [benefit] that they might become partakers of My nature [2 Peter 1:2-4].

        Without the revelation that ALL that I do concerning them in this area of discipline, is for their greatest eternal benefit, they will not let go of "the ties that bind them", and in not believing that I am a rewarder of those that seek Me, they shall not diligently seek Me. Because of this, they shall not draw near to My Word, and thus the work that I desire to do in their heart shall be greatly hindered. From all of these things that I have just spoken one can easily see that the one who sets themselves in the position of abiding in My Word, shall allow the Holy Spirit to do the "deepest work of the Cross" in them at a more "accelerated" pace.

        As My children place themselves in a position wherein they expose themselves to the purifying fire of My Spirit, all that is not of Me shall be consumed - and truly I say to you, they shall come forth as gold, a fit vessel for My use in this most glorious hour.


        ...."whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh [lower nature, sensuality] will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint".... 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Galatians 6:7b-9 NASB


        ...."we do not become discouraged [utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear]. Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. For our light, momentary affliction [this slight distress of the passing hour] is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal [brief and fleeting], but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Amplified Translation

        ...."Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life] [Matt. 12:37]"....

                                                                                                                                                                                              Proverbs 18:21 The Amplified Translation


        "The definition of the word "stupidity" [foolishness] is one continuing to do [and say] the very same things - and expecting change"!

        In other words, what we sow with our words and actions is what we reap - without exception - and if we are truly seeking change for the better then we must cause all of our words and actions to line up with the Word [Will] of God. Speaking only words that line up with [a revelation of] the Word of God will change us on every level - causing our mind, will and emotions to be continually renewed. This will lift us far above the "feelings" and "thoughts" that had previously kept us bound to the lower life. Many are constantly expressing [in a negative manner] who "they" think they are [based on their "feelings" - and seeming inability to break out of the negative cycles in their life] but, in reality, [and in the light of their desire to truly obey God] what they are speaking over themselves is not the truth. In reality, you are who God's Word says you are [in Christ] not the negative image that the Devil's lies [reproach, feelings, etc.] attempt to form within you. None of us [in our own strength and understanding] are capable of "working up" the will or the desire to obey God - for it is ONLY His Grace [His empowerment] that can see us through from beginning to end [as far as the accomplishing of all that we were created to accomplish, in Christ]. One of the greatest traps that keep so many out of the true Christian life is that they, themselves, are working towards holiness in their OWN strength - which, of course, is impossible. Many truly have a repentant heart and desire to give it ALL to God. He is just simply waiting for you to begin to acknowledge Him in ALL of your ways and, thus, come to realize that "obedience" is not about how we "feel". It is simply a matter of obeying [having gained a revelation of His Will] KNOWING that it is ALWAYS the best possible course of action - not only for ourselves but, also, for all those in our "sphere of existence". When one is consistent in doing what they "know" to do THEN something much better than a few fleeting feelings takes place - and that is an abiding peace and joy begins to rise up from deep within us to both sustain us and strengthen us to live the true Christian life.

        ...."Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength"....

                                                                                                     Nehemiah 8:10 NASB