darkness part 1

Sometimes in our Christian path, we’re going through very, very difficult

situations. One of these are, what I would call periods of darkness. What we want to do

there is to get help from God for the dark. The dark may not be present today, but very

likely it will be present sooner or later. God does not only give us truth for the situation

in which we currently find ourselves. Very often God prepares us for situations yet to come

in our lives and the lives of others so the Spirit can bring to our remembrance what has

been said perhaps years before. When God, in the wisdom of His providence, leads us through

periods of darkness…circumstances we cannot understand, circumstances upon which God

does not shed any light. We say, “I am simply in the dark. I do not know. I can’t understand.

I can’t understand why God allows this, does this, or doesn’t do this.” We are in total darkness.

We pray for light and there is no light. And yet we can go through a period of darkness while

having the light of the ways of the Lord within, so while we are in the dark, the dark is not in us.

This puts everything the Lord is showing us and teaching us in a whole different light. 

The test is to walk out “in the dark” what we saw “in the light”.

“Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of his servant,

that walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord,

and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

Fire

 

God's dealings in our lives to adjust us unto maturity in Him
are referred to in the Bible as "fire. In six passages of Scripture,
John the Baptist prophesied of Christ Baptizing into the Holy Spirit,
where he also said "... baptizing you in the Holy Spirit and fire."
Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29 tell us

  "for the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God" and

  "for our God is a consuming fire".

The most important of all Biblical types of fire is that of God being

the fire Itself. Fire is an "expression" of the nature of God via His Holy Spirit
(who is the "fire of God") dealing with us Fire is a peculiar and specific
manifestation of God's nature, His energizing force, by which He cleanses
and purifies us, elevates us to a realm of spiritual living, and forms Christ within.
This fire touches every part of our lives and beings as we yield to Him. We His
children are to be baptized in fire. God's fire purifies us, removing self-will
and independence, step by step acclimating us to a “walk in the Spirit”.
This fire is not necessarily to punish nor destroy us but to correct, purge
and discipline us. It removes the remnants of the old nature that filter the
expression of the life of Christ. It is only by Gods fire that we are prepared to
enter the Kingdom. Isaiah 43:2 tells us that "we will not be burned nor scorched",  
not harmed nor destroyed relative to God's purposes for us. In the Old Testament
type of Pentecost, Moses encountered God's fire on Mt. Sinai. The three Hebrew
children (Daniel 3:23-28) went through a Baptism in fire in order to experience
the physical, experiential power of the presence of Christ. When we are saved
we receive the Baptism “of” the Holy Spirit. To experience and embrace the
dealings (fire) we need the Baptism “in” the Holy Spirit. Then we are able
to receive the Baptism “in” fire that will burn within and reveal….
The King of all kings and The Lord of all lords in a “temple not made with hands”

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Difficult Times

God loves us, and every son who follows the pattern can expect to have laid
upon his life the cross of Jesus Christ. Whatever life that remains, whatever feeling
we may possess that keep us tethered to the independence of our natural life must be offered.
There is no death without suffering, neither can we be said to be dead, while there is still
any part in us which is alive. This is a prerequisite for resurrection life. That death with which
God blesses the soul, pierces even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
and marrow. He who sees in us what we cannot see, knows full well where the blow should fall.
He takes away that which we are most reluctant to give up. Pain is only felt where there is life,
and where there is life, is just the place where death is needed. He will prove us, perhaps, by
destroying the liberty of our soul in some area. Would we dare resist? No! Suffer all things!
This working of the cross must be voluntary, and can only be accomplished to that extent to
which we are willing. I see at times that every way is shut up, and that God means to accomplish
His work in us, by cutting off every resource of the soul. There comes a time in our life…..
an appointed time that He moves sovereignly.... He has a place in His Kingdom
that we will function in throughout all eternity. He is about to perform in us something that we
have longed for but have been unable to accomplish….we may be led to a place that is not of our choosing…..
It is in this dark place where all seems lost and lifeless….just then His life….the power
of an endless life will be released!

Hebrews 4:10-16
English Standard Version (ESV)
¹⁰ for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
¹¹ Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 
¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. ¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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