Never thought I would name a message after a DragonForce song...but there is a first time for everything...
But how true it actually is...it is through the fire and the flames that we carry on. Last night, my youth had a bonfire since they had no school today. They had a blast and that was the goal...for the last half.
The first half was devoted to their souls and what God had to say. God was desiring for them to understand that He wanted to be the fire that not only burned inside of them passionately to change the world, but also He wanted to be the fire that purified and perfected them. The spark came from Malachi 3:2-3---
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire...He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons and daughters of [Lees Chapel Youth] and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.
(P.S.---Zechariah 13:9 is another great verse)
They were given the opportunity to write down on paper something that was holding them back, something that had them stuck in a position that blocked them from giving God all they had in service and faith. Who knows what they may have put down...but they were challenged to throw it into the fire, to forever be burned away, turned to ash....symbolizing how Jesus scatters our sin as far as the east is from the west.
It was pretty awesome to see them take one piece or five pieces of paper. I now trust them with the follow through. These are things they have to let go of!! These are things that they have to release and let God burn out of their lives so they can become "sons and daughters" who bring offerings of righteousness to God. And I want this to be in every area of their lives...church, school, jobs, hang outs, and home! Because THEY CAN DO IT!!
What do you have holding you back that you need to let God burn away, so that you can carry on in service, love and passion for Him?
