Gather the Outcasts

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Baptism of Fire

Dear beloved:  Everything in the Christian walk is obtained by asking to receive, and by stepping out in faith believing that you will receive.  In the act of giving there are two parts of the equation; first, the actions of the giver, and the actions of the receiver.  In the Christian walk, the giver is God, the author and perfecter of our faith and in Him there is no change.  James tells us in James 1;17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.  The Giver does not waver, nor is He a man that He should lie.  So when He promises us something, we can rest assured that He will follow through on His promise and give to us that which He has promised.

The other side of the equation is the receiver, that being each of us, which wavers and is not constant.  We come and go, our passions, desires, and motives change from day to day and year to year.  But if we come to the Lord seeking more of Him, and come with the innocence of a child, the Lord will be faithful and true to fulfill His side of the promise and give us the desires of our hearts.  Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Matthew 6:33 Seek first My kingdom and My righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.  Jesus also instructs us to receive the kingdom with the innocence of a child. Mark 10:13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. v14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. v15 Truly I say to, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all." v16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands upon them.

John the Baptist promised that there would be coming after him one who would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Matthew 3:11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. v12 " and His winnowing fork is in in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."  So the promise is for you to receive the baptism of fire, another baptism in addition to the water baptism, and this baptism will not only empower you, it will burn out the useless chaff in you and enable you to go forward walking in all the power that God has predestined for you.

In the natural the harvest is ready to begin.  Here in Kansas the fields are turning white with grain in the heads, and the combines are beginning to move into the fields to separate the grain from the chaff and stubble. Only the good heavy grain will be taken to the barn, the rest will be blown away and eventually decompose.  Jesus told the disciple in Matthew 9:37 "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. v38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers in His harvest."  Ask the Lord to baptize you with fire today, so you can go forth into the harvest field with the power of a new combine, and help the Lord bring in His harvest.  May God bless you as you go forth this day.  in Christ, Jim  www.gathertheoutcasts.com

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