Jesus, Our Ever PRESENT Help

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Last week, the girl I've done home care for the last 10 years went home to be with Jesus. Her brother, whom I also cared for, graduated to greater glory several years ago. Nicole and Josh had a rare genetic disease and they actually lived much longer than doctors determined. Nicole was a daughter to me. She taught me how to love in ways I can't quite describe. Though I have found so much comfort in knowing she isn't suffering anymore, my heart has still been hurting quite a bit. It's in these times of pain, that I have found myself more than ever, pressed into Jesus' chest. He has been so kind, so sweet, so available and so present for me.

This week, I have been experiencing more and more just how “ever present” Christ is. He bore all of our pain when He went to the Cross. It is a done deal, finished, past tense. Yet there are times in our lives that we still hurt in the “present.” The beautiful thing about my Jesus is that He is willing to stay “present” with us though He already took upon Himself every hurt we currently feel. He is not confined by time or space. He is just as present in our pain as He is in all of our joys. He never tells us, “Get over it!” He knows there is a time to grieve and is not uncomfortable with it. He always stays connected with us in every aspect of our lives and knows exactly what we need and when.

I want to encourage you right now, to enjoy Christ in your “present.” Whether it's His hand drying your tears, His breath on your face, His steady gaze in worship, His company as you go Christmas shopping or His joy bubbling up in your belly. He never disconnects from you. You carry Christ inside of you and He lives to stay present with you in every minute, every moment, every day of your life.

“I AM is our past, present and future. Enjoy and express Him daily in total abandonment.” - Francois du Toit

I love you family,
Karena Lout

Brent & Suzanne are going on a Sabbatical Rest!

Suzanne and I will be taking a much needed sabbatical this December and January. After 21 years of ministry, including two church plants, we need the down time to enjoy the unforced rhythms of grace. Don't worry--our stake is in the ground here and we will be back before you know it rested and ready to be part of the huge end-time harvest that is most assuredly on the way!

Our sabbatical rest will start this Sunday, Dec. 4th. I will be preaching this Saturday, Dec. 3rd, sharing from my heart some things the Lord's been doing in me and how I see this sabbatical in light of the bigger picture of what is happening with Blazing Fire and God's plans for the Bay Area. Please make it a point to be there this Saturday, December 3rd at Blazing Fire's worship service if you are able.

This sabbatical is truly a gift from the Blazing Fire family to us! We can't take this time away without your continued support financially. Any end of the year extra gift to Blazing Fire would be a huge blessing! And thank you, ahead of time, for remembering to bring Suzanne and myself before the Lord, asking him to refresh, restore and renew us during this time away.

All of the life-giving ministries of Blazing Fire Church, inlcuding our Saturday night Blazing FIre worship services will continue without missing a beat! Our amazing Elder team is all set to continue providing pastoral care. The Blazing Fire Church phone number (925-997-5774) will still be functional and Pastor Russ Fochler will be receiving the calls. Any e-mails sent to me or Suzanne will not be read until our return on February 1st. You can reach anyone on the elder team via e-mail. Go to this link to see their e-mail addresses:

http://www.blazingfire.org/meet.htm

Again, I will say much more when I share this Saturday night, so please join us.

We love and appreciate you all!
Brent & Suzanne

Transitional Time!

Here are some recent prophetic words from Doug Addison who will be speaking at Blazing FIre Church this Saturday, November 19th:

Transition

Eleven is a number that is symbolic of transition (almost twelve, which represents the government of God and the starting of a new day). We are entering into a new time in which things will begin to flow much more easily. Over the past eleven years (2000–2011) we saw a negative transition occur, which introduced dark events such as terrorism, economic downturn, and global unrest. We now have the opportunity to see a turnaround over the next eleven months.

God is bringing justice and repaying people for all that was lost, stolen, or cut short during the past nine years (from 2002–2011).

God spoke to me that the enemy has overplayed his hand against us and that if we would ask Him to, He will bring repayment. There is not a time limit on this prophetic word, because God is outside of time, but I highly recommend that you continue to ask God to repay all that you have lost. Your repayment might come to you in various forms and increments. So watch for things like new favor, unexpected money, raises, promotions, restored relationships, new spiritual gifts and God’s power in your life.

Deuteronomy 11:11 “But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.”

We are entering into a time of refreshing from Heaven in which God is going to supply our needs beyond what we can imagine.

Prophetic word on Rosh Hashanah

As the sun set on Rosh Hashanah (Friday, September 30th) an old season came to a close. We are now in three months of transition from October through December. Transition is when many old ways of doing things are not as effective but yet the new has not been fully revealed. Don’t be discouraged by this transitional time, as it may look opposite from what you may expect. God is rearranging things, bringing new angelic assignments and lining things up for a fresh new start in January 2012.

Recently, I heard two strategic series of dates: November 14–17, 2011 and December 9–14, 2011. These will be significant times of connections and in some cases restoration of things we have let go of in the past. Watch for new creativity and new relationships to emerge. Pray that God’s purposes will be accomplished especially during these days.

Things that are coming in 2012

We are going to see new medical breakthroughs in the coming new year. With the onslaught of destructive disease and viruses, God is offsetting this attack by initiating radical medical discoveries and cures.

There will be new inventions and business strategies released from Heaven. Some people will be shown how to make a million dollars overnight. Business partnerships will be formed to release finances for Kingdom projects.

New insight will come from God on how to deal with some major political and social “hot buttons” that have separated people in the past. God is releasing the Spirit of Reconciliation that will bring healing of differences between people groups and nations.

Hurray for God!

One of my very favorite passages in Scripture is Ephesians 1:3-6 because it so wonderfully portrays the huge heart of our Father towards us, His beloved children. Each year, I have our Kingdom Training School of Supernatural Ministry students write their own fun and creative paraphrase of that passage and here are two of them to encourage you today.

"Hurray! Shout praise to your Daddy because He unloaded a dump truck full of goodies right into your lap! You were hand picked to be on His championship team before you even knew there was a game to be played. And His team always has an undefeated season, making you a champion over and over! It was His love for you that got you picked--His lavish, gigantic love that you did nothing to earn. And now it's just victory after victory, glory after glory!" (Derek Mitchell, 2nd year KTSSM student)

"Papa Bear is so soft and cuddly. He always has the biggest hugs for each of us every time...all the time...and He thought of me first. Did you know He thought of you first too? Even though we all look different, He sees us wholey and completely as His own and He loves that we love HIs family and are best friends with His Son! Super, big cuddly soft hugs for infinity and beyond!" (Erin Johnson, 1st year KTSSM student)

Blazing Fire Prayer Ministry Team

Calling folks of prayer & compassion! We're forming a Prayer Ministry Team that can help pray blessings & healing after our services. We also hope to meet periodically to grow together. If you're interested in serving or would like to find out more information, we're having a pre-service meeting on Saturday, Nov 19th at 4 - 5:00 pm in one of the downstairs rooms at Sunset Community Church. We hope to see you there!

(If you have questions, you can contact Clayton Jung at thejungs@sonic.net or
Lai-Kit Chan at dunamisozo@earthlink.net)

Unfolding Grace!

Papa is your greatest supporter and encourager. He wants you to rise to the top, to soar into your appointed destiny, to finish strong in this race to receive your gold medal with him on the winner's stand!

And he knows that along the way, it can be very hard at times. If you have been feeling overwhelmed, discouraged or disillusioned in any way, I want to bring you encouragement straight from the throne of God.

First of all, I want to assure you that through the battles, the Father is strengthening your faith in ways that would boggle your mind, if you only knew! I also want to encourage you to run into the arms of your loving Father who has always wanted you and who will never, ever give up on you! Go to that place of intimacy with God, no matter what it takes. Ignore the discouragements and enjoy the huge heart of the One who adores you! Lay your frustrations and anxieties on the One who has the broad shoulders to take the load and choose to fix your gaze on the Lover of your soul! He loves you so very much! He has chosen you to be His forever!

If you want to throw in the towel, listen to these words from the Lord to your heart:

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace!" (2 Corinthians 4:16, The Message Bible)

His unfolding grace! That is his astounding grace that keeps on presenting itself to you each time you require it. God's grace is enough! It is enough for you to make it through the difficult times. It is enough to give you hope when you are disappointed. It is enough to give you vision when you have lost sight of the goal of your faith. It is enough!

Papa says to you, His precious child:

"Don't despair. I am still for you. My heart hasn't changed one little bit. I know you don't understand all my ways. I haven't asked you to. But, one day you will see everything for the way it truly is, from My perspective. Until that time, know that I am with you and I am for you! I will be everything you need! I AM everything you need! Keep drawing into me. My presence will never disappoint you. My presence is everything you need. My presence is your ultimate destiny! Keep believing my good and tender heart toward you because I will never disappoint you!"

New Beginnings TODAY!

On Sept. 28th we entered 5772 of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). Here is the description of the New Year from Chuck Pierce:

We are poised to enter a new season where the Eye of the Lord is looking to see how His House develops. The Hebraic Year 5772 (Ayin Bet) actually conveys piercing into world structures to recover and restore Kingdom blessings that have been captured. Another way of understanding the season ahead is as a time of unexpected favor. This is when both Israel and God’s people aligned with Israel become the “apple of His eye.”

We are entering a season when the synergistic power of the gifts of the Spirit comes together. This is also a time when gender, races and generations come together in a new way. Begin looking for divided hearts to become one, before the Lord. Family will become more important than it has been in the last 40 years, and there will be a recovery of family principles.

We have all the reason in the world to be the most hope-filled, optimistic people on the planet! Our Father is for us and has given us the indescribable gift of Jesus--and with Jesus we have been given freedom, joy, love and every other part of His rich inheritance that is ours. Since this is a new year, why not agree with all of the promises for you that are set for 'Today' (Hebrews 4:7). Say this out loud...

"Today is a day of New Beginnings for me!! I am not stuck! Today is my day to agree that my past is past and my future in Christ is here right now! Today is my day to agree that Christ in me is superabundant and everything I could possibly need! Today is my day to agree absolutely nothing is impossible for me! Today is the day to bust out of old barriers that have held me down. It’s the day to rise up and break free from the bondage of addictions. It’s the day to declare and see miracles in my family, my finances and my personal destiny! It’s the day to revel in the resurrection that I share THIS DAY with Christ as a brand new, completely restored, massively loved, beautifully regenerated creation! No matter what has happened in my life to this point, my slate is wiped completely clean and my destiny lies before me as an attainable, well-lit path because Jesus is walking it with me! Above all, I agree today that I am loved and treasured beyond compare by this astounding Father of New Beginnings!"

Look in the Mirror!

What does it mean for you and me to be a carrier of God’s glory? I talked about this last Saturday night (you can catch the podcast at http://blazingfire.podbean.com/)

Here it is in a nutshell:

In the Old Covenant, Moses made a bold request to God in Exodus 33:18, “Show me your glory,” to which God responded, “All right, then, I will allow my character, the goodness of my nature to pass in front of you. I’ll show you how good I really am.”

Sometimes we read that story and say, “Dang, I wish I was Moses to see that!” No really you don’t—you have it way better than Moses in the New Covenant of Grace!

2 Corinthians 3:13 explains how Moses, after he met with the Israelite people to share what God had told him, put a veil over his face because he didn’t want them to see the glory fading. Why was it fading? Because it was external. Remember that God’s glory passed before him.

Now, you gotta catch this!

For you who are in the New Covenant of Grace, God’s goodness doesn't pass before you, but lives in you! That glorious goodness of God that Moses got to see the backside of as He passed by has made His home in you!! Have you ever really looked at people who spend a lot of time with God? They glow and leak all over the place—they can’t help it!

In the Old Covenant, when Moses said, show me your glory, God’s goodness passed before him. In the New Covenant, when we say, “God, show me your glory,” God's response is...

“Look in the mirror!!”

Have you ever really done that--intently looking to see Christ in you, the hope of glory? It's REAL, my friends! Many times and with much more frequency now, I look into my own eyes in the mirror and see God's glory. “Oh My! There you are Jesus! I can see you! I carry your glory! I release it everywhere I go!"

And so do you! Jesus said to his Father, "I have given them the glory that you gave to me." (John 17:22) The very same glory that the Father deposited into Jesus as the Light of the World, permeates and pours out of each of us as well!

So I want to encourage you today--right now if you can--look in the mirror, but before you do, ask God, “Show me your glory!”

And while you're at it, say out loud these declarations that we made together Saturday night:

I CARRY GOD'S GLORY!

I AM GREAT BEYOND MEASURE!

I AM MADE FOR INTIMACY WITH THE LORD!

I BRING HIS PRESENCE WITH ME EVERYWHERE I GO!

So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord's Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord. (2 Cor 3:18, Contemporary English Bible)