So Proud of my BF Fam! by Pastor Suzanne Lokker

A couple of weeks ago during a Blazing Fire Saturday worship service, it was such an honor and privilege to stand up with you—your acknowledgement of your victories so filled up my encourager tank! My hope increased and my faith got a huge boost as one by one we all stood up to give testimony to the power and love of God in our lives! We are so a sign of hope to each other and to the world!

Just to recap: I encouraged you to stand up if in the past week, and even for the shortest instance of time,

* you could claim a victory over the enemy

* you walked in wholeness—where the truth of your being matched the ways of your being

* even though you were going through a difficult time, you could still say, “I get to love you, Jesus, through whatever comes.”

* you could say, “Just keep me steady here.”

* during worship, you opened your heart as we sang, “Lord, I know you love me” and let these words go deep into your spirit

* you “Let love win!”

We need to celebrate all these victories in each others’ lives! One of the most profound victories for me was to watch as you stood up and celebrated you. It’s one thing to have someone observe that you are developing more of God’s character in your life, but it’s gigantically impactful when you observe and acknowledge that change in yourself! As you become the brilliant treasure you are designed to be, the way you share God’s transforming love, as only you can, becomes a beacon of hope in the world.

OH, YEAH! YAY, GOD!!

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message Bible)

Covenant of Belonging to our Blazing Fire Family by Pastor Brent Lokker

Last Saturday, I shared about the Covenant of Belonging to our Blazing Fire Family. Any time we talk about intentionality going deeper in relationship with others, there's a going to be some levels of anxiety to work through because, let's face it, all of us have been hurt by people we've been close to and trusted.

However, we (the elders of Blazing Fire Church) also know that God has been leading us to this conclusion: His heart of covenant love for us was always meant to be shared with one another. Choosing to belong to one another in covenant relationships is a healthy foundation for trust to grow as we learn how to care for and honor each other.

To choose to enter into a Covenant of Belonging to our BF Family isn't something to take lightly, but it also doesn't have to remain scary as we understand the Lord's heart and intentions for us to belong to one another. Covenant does not mean that we agree on everything. If that were true, no two people on the planet could ever be in a covenant relationship with each other. We are using the term “covenant” as a choice to stay connected with each other in a way that brings beneficial, positive changes over the course of those relationships—It is an agreement with God that we belong, not only to Him, but to one another.

If you were unable to attend Blazing Fire this past Saturday, especially if you consider us to be your family, please take the time to listen to the message here:

http://blazingfire.podbean.com/e/brent-lokker-covenant-relationships/

And here is the document that the elder team took great care in crafting to be as clear as possible about what we are inviting you to take part in:

http://blazingfire.org/covenant-of-belonging-with-our-blazing-fire-family

Blazing Fire Church will continue to warmly welcome anyone who simply wants to come to our worship services and enjoy the presence of God with us. For those, however, who desire to belong to our Blazing Fire family in a committed relationship, we invite you to enter into a covenant of belonging with us. Genuine love and commitment is risky because we are learning to open up our hearts to each other, but we believe the reward of living wholeheartedly with each other is worth the risk!

The amazing, life-giving journey we've been on with so many of you is about to take another leap forward! Every time we choose to go with God's plan, no matter how unsettling it may feel in the moment, good things happen.


If, after listening to the podcast and reading the Covenant of Belonging to our Blazing Fire Family you desire to belong in a much more intentional way, you can let us know by e-mailing us at info@blazingfire.org. We will communicate back with you how best to proceed.

With Much Love & Excitement for Where God Continues to Lead Us,