Blazing Fire's Encouraging Blog

This week’s verses (2 Cor 3:12-18) give us some great news. We “are  progressively  being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord”. (v 18 AMP) It’s not “if” (like if I try harder or better) but “are” (yes, even today) because God is the one already doing that work in each one of us! It’s our part to stop focusing on myself, like despairing “I’m not good enough” (that’s often shame holding me back) or working harder (that often turns into striving). Instead, this chapter encourages us to “turn” to God (v 17) and rely upon Him (v 5). “Turn” is same original word as “repentence”, but rather than thinking of that just as confessing sins and stopping negative behaviors, think of it as turning our focus more upon God. He wants to transform us through RELATIONSHIP with Him, and that can sometimes start with “surrendering” or “depending” more upon Him. Also, instead of me working on changing things in my life I think disple...

I remember the day Jesus became real to me. I had known  about  him previously, but at a moment in time when I was 10, I connected with my Savior heart-to-heart, and something changed. There was an internal awareness of the presence of Jesus in a way I hadn’t known before. How that happens exactly is a beautiful mystery. Scripture is pretty clear that all things, including every living being, were created through and for Jesus (Col 1:16), so I fully believe my life was already flowing with the life of Christ, yet in a moment of sheer grace, what I had no experience of before suddenly became my experience—Jesus was realer than real! Fifty plus years later, I can confidently tell you the life of Jesus in me continues to transform me up to this present moment.   There are certain times when I get stunned all over again with the exceeding goodness and generosity of God whose extravagant love pursues and draws in his children irresistibly until that heart-to-heart connection w...

I grew up with a strong feeling that there must be something wrong with who I was.  So when I was introduced to the concept of grace, it seemed too good to be true.  I have come a long way since then, but am still on a journey to more completely comprehend the fullness of the grace and mercy of God available to all of us in the new covenant.  Paul termed the new covenant of Christ the “greater glory”(2 Cor 3:8).  A glory that Jesus’ death and resurrection made possible, by paying every price required for every sin ever committed, period.  A glory that permanently opened a conduit of connection between heaven and earth to those who simply believe. In this grace we find an ever deepening knowing of how total His acceptance is and how He joyfully meets us in any place we feel weak or inadequate.  His help is ever present; and always comes with kindness, never with shame or comparison.  Jesus walked the earth, just like us, and faced every day issues just ...

…written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God!  (2 Cor 3:2-3 AMP) Last Saturday, we explored what this could mean.  Karena Lout shared about the profound impact Pastor Tim Lout (Todd’s dad) had upon her life as an eighteen year old.  She experienced God’s love, kindness, warmth and life through Tim.  Jesus became real to Karena.   And Susan Fochler shared about two siblings she knew in high school who seemed to shine with life,  kindness, and joy.  And while they didn’t preach the “Gospel” to Susan with words, Susan was drawn to the life of Jesus in them.  Indeed, Susan wasn’t looking for words.  Susan was starving for the authentic kindness and spiritual life evident in their lives. We then broke into groups of 2 or 3 to share about someone who was a living letter from Jesus in our life.  I asked the people sharing afterwards to consider what felt different about this person.  Was it joy or kindness, peace, or someth...

From Bill Hernandez's web site, whisperoflove.net. Click this to see more. The Lord reminded me of this scripture and that this was about relationship with Him. He said it wasn’t so much about a change of behaviors where our actions and attitudes change for the better. It wasn’t about performing. It was about the depth of intimacy and quality of relationship with Him becoming more and more profound. It was about discovering a mutual bond of friendship and love where we are each other’s BFF – Best Friends Forever. It was about us developing greater trust and a sense of security before Him no matter what state we’re in. It’s a sanctuary of bold honesty. It’s a place of discovering His glory of all encompassing love. He reminds us of the First Commandment – “You shall have no other gods before me.” This is about us establishing Him as  the love of our lives and mutually enjoying each other. Here is happiness forever and a return to the garden. The rest of the commandments are a n...

Now it is God who establishes  and  confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit];  it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].   Here we see Paul’s attempt to show the people that true leadership doesn’t have to look like eloquent speech and wealth and poise, but rather a simple person who considers themselves an bondservant to the one who is the king of love and points to Him….Jesus. He is giving emphasis to Corinth that God approves of him to bring messages, that he is sealed with God's approval and ownership. This passage also points to the fact that God has sealed us all. The Blood of Jesus has been mentioned several times in the Word as a seal over us also.  We are, in fact, His!...

This past Saturday, we continued our journey through the book of 2 nd  Corinthians. In chapter 1:23-24, Paul decides not to go to Corinth to confront them because he was working on reconciling with them. He previously made a “painful visit” where he rebuked the Corinthians about their sin and behaviors. But Paul quickly learns that he only has as much favor to speak into their lives as they had trust and relationship with him. As Paul is learning how to lead, he realizes he doesn’t want to rule over the Corinthians or manage their behaviors, but to empower them and come alongside as a loving leader would. Punishment focuses on sin, but Jesus is much more interested in the condition of our heart. He came to heal us wholeheartedly. Our poor choices are often symptoms of deeper pain. As we trust Jesus to heal the areas of wounding in our heart, we begin to live in a way that lines up with who we truly are.   The next part of Paul’s letter addresses a man in their community who ca...