Overcoming Discouragement by Pastor Brent Lokker

I left our Blazing Fire Family Connection gathering last Saturday feeling so filled with love and appreciation for the heart and soul this family carries together.  Then the icing on the cake was the love and power that poured out at Dr. Susan Richard’s “Fullness of Joy” conference last Saturday evening. Many miracles took place.  I prayed for a young woman who suffered from plantar fasciitus (extreme pain in the souls of the feet) that also eventually led to extreme pain in her knees. After praying for a minute or so, there was definite relief, and after praying a second time, all the pain was completely gone!  I have another amazing story that I’ll share this Saturday during our service   Dr. Susan is a rare individual who carries tremendous authority in the Spirit realm and regularly sees powerful miracles but who, at the same time, walks in an ultra-soothing gentleness and humility.  She drips of the love and grace of Jesus!   Dr. Susan will be with us at Blazing Fire Church next Saturday, August 6th, during our regular worship time, 6-8:30 pm.  God continues to bless us beyond measure with people who want to come and pour out the riches Papa has placed within them.    Overcoming Discouragement   Now for something real: The very next day, Sunday, I battled a big-time attack of discouragement.  I can tell you the moment it sprung upon me and instantly I was questioning what I was building and what it was all for.  To appreciate this story, you have to understand that I have been given a strong gift of faith and Kingdom optimism that comes in extremely handy in leading others into Kingdom realities.   I decided to go to the keyboard and worship, but to be quite honest, I was in a sulky mood (also not my true nature) and I just didn’t want to.  So after a minute or two of that futility, I decided to go to my home office to have a good cry with the Lord.  I often find great freedom in sincerely crying my heart out to the Lord (with actual tears) in the times I’m needing to do that.  Well…I tried to cry…and I couldn’t!  Really, I just couldn’t cry.  So then, I decided to tell the Lord why everything was so bad and suddenly I realized…I couldn’t come up with anything.  I tried several times to try and pout about what was so wrong only to discover that I couldn’t do it!   I’m not sure if you’re getting this yet, but the Lord made it so crystal clear to me: “Son, this isn’t you.  This was a spirit of discouragement that pounced on you because, at a certain point, you decided it was easier to give in than to fight it with the truth.  The false feelings it projected were sadness and despair, but it wasn’t real.  There’s no substance to it.  It’s a shadow trying to masquerade as something.  You couldn’t come up with a true reason to cry because it wasn’t there.”   Let me say at this point I understand there are some good reasons to cry and sometimes it’s the healthiest thing we can do.  But this was an outright devious, shadowy attack that had no substance to it.   Once I had this understanding from Papa, I went to the keyboard and worshipped my heart out.  Just as suddenly as the cloud of discouragement descended, it disappeared!   The enemy doesn’t fight fair, but you have a Father who protects you, a Savior who fights for you, and a Holy Spirit who instructs you and gives you discernment.  In the end, you are on the winning side every time!  Do you hear me?!  It’s true!!   I pray for you a keen discerning from the Spirit of God to know when something doesn’t “feel” right, doesn’t line up with what is true in your spirit.  And I pray for encouragement and worship and love and joy to flood your spirit and your soul.  You are alive for such a time as this!  The enemy can do what he wants to try to distract you, but God will win every time and your light is going to shine brighter and brighter!   Much Love, Pastor Brent

Think Big! We Have A Big God by Blazing Fire contributor Julie Carboni

God gives us permission to think really big...outrageously big.  Not because of anything we do or even deserve, but because as children of Abraham we receive that same blessing that has been passed down from generation to generation culminating in the fulfillment of Jesus Christ being given to us as our Lord and Savior, the free gift of His life for ours. United with Christ The law would say we need to follow the rules precisely, in order to expect anything good to happen in our lives.  But thankfully, our Jesus has set us free from religious duty forever!  As Paul says in Galatians: Because we are united with the Anointed One, all the promises of the kingdom are deeded to us, not because we keep the law or fulfill religious duties...And since you’ve been united to Jesus the Messiah, you are now Abraham’s “Child” and inherit all the promises of the kingdom realm!  Gal 3:18, 29 (Passion Translation) We are Blessed beyond Measure Think for a moment....  All the promises of the kingdom...  wow.  That is the inheritance initiated in Abraham’s life but culminating in God’s own Son coming to earth so that we become Joint Heirs with Christ and all the blessings His Father has given Him.  God wants us to dream from the perspective of knowing we are His, and He truly desires to give us good things. Childlike Faith Creates Miracles God wants us to have childlike faith, like many of us had when newly converted. Children think with no limits; they have not yet learned what they “should” or “shouldn’t” believe. They allow themselves to imagine impossible things.  God would like us to do that as well.   Once while Tim and I were still dating as new converts, we prayed for a lady with a brain tumor the size of an orange. We had that childlike faith to believe that of course she could be healed!  We prayed and the next morning, the woman had surgery and the tumor was gone and there were only dead cells left. Why not pray and believe for Big things; our God can do anything. Let’s believe, as John encourages us: “I tell you this timeless truth: the person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do --even greater miracles that these because I go to be with my Father! For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask me in my name. And this is how the Son will show what the Father is really like and bring glory to him.  Ask me anything in my name and I will do it for you!”  John 14:12-14 (Passion Translation) Help us, Jesus, grab hold of how real this promise really is in our lives, that You so value us and have invited us into the same relationship you have with Your Father.  Truly we are blessed beyond measure! May God richly bless you with his Infinite Love,                                                                        Julie Carboni (with Susan Fochler)

Healing for our Nation by Pastor Karena Lout

My heart has been heavy by recent tragic events in our country. Sometimes words don’t suffice when people are suffering and in pain. We can add insult to injury in our attempt to comfort and understand. Our reaction can sometimes be to minimize what others are going through because we ourselves haven’t had the same experience or because we want to fix something that can’t be fixed overnight. But most of the time, the best response is to simply listen and empathize. Listen to someone’s story. Listen to understand. Weep with those who weep and of course, pray. Love closes the distance.   “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”   1 Corin. 12:26    Bill Johnson shared a very powerful message from 2 Chronicles 7:14, addressing the recent shootings, as well as the political state of our nation. God wants to transform our land from the inside out, healing deep fractures and systemic issues. We are called to partner with a spirit of humility to listen, pray, and move forward in faith until we see God’s Kingdom bring light to America.   Be encouraged that the love and light you each carry is making a difference more than you know and that Jesus is faithful to bring healing to our land.   Here is the link to Bill’s message: http://podcasts.ibethel.org/en/    Love, Karena

From Shame to Freedom by Pastor Brent Lokker

Last Saturday we took a journey with a thirsty Jesus who met a Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well.  She had some serious pain from her past that was causing her to make poor decisions in life, leading to deep shame (John 4).  We tend to think sin is the big problem, but Jesus knows shame is the real killer. Shame is used by the enemy to give us a false impression of ourselves, thus leading to further destructive life-choices. The cycle of shame is relentless and lethal and not from God.    Which one of us can’t identify with this woman in one way or another?   Jesus offers her and us His living water instead of our old, tired ways of putting up a good front in our misery (the symbolism behind Jacob’s Well). Then, Jesus does something that’s almost disturbing, unless we really know the integrity of His heart that’s always motivated by love.  He intentionally pushes on a sore spot in this woman’s life by making mention of the very thing she’s ashamed of—she’s had 5 husbands already and she’s not married to the man she’s currently with.  Why would he do this?  Simple.  Out of his great love and compassion for this woman, He was allowing her to get in touch with her pain because he was about to take it’s sharp teeth away, forever changing her life. Rather than judging her, He was going to love her into freedom.   Almost certainly this woman’s choice to move from relationship to relationship with various men was rooted in deep father wounds. So when she asked Jesus, “Where is the right place to worship God, on this mountain or that one?”  His response was to introduce her to a heavenly Father who loves her with all His heart—a father who wants to be with her so much that He would meet with her inside of her own heart!   You have to catch this: Jesus wasn't dealing with her sin. Instead, He was healing her to the very core of her being.  She was receiving tender truth to realign her identity and worth to God’s unchanging opinion.  Jesus was saying to her, “The world says you’re worthless because you’ve made a mess of your life. But I say you’re worth everything to your father and He’s spared no expense to free you and claim you as His treasured one.”   One encounter with the living, loving Jesus rocked this woman’s world and changed her forever!  She had tasted of His goodness and mercy and she would never be the same. She ran back to her city—to the same ones who had despised her—and had this message to share:   “I met a man who knows everything about me and he loves me!”    Then the most amazing thing happened.  The townspeople listened to her!  They came streaming out to meet Jesus!  Can you imagine the depth of healing that took place in that encounter with Jesus that would cause such a dramatic transformation? Whatever it was, the people saw it and raced out to meet Jesus.   This Saturday during our Blazing Fire worship service, we're going to pick up the story where we left off and see how one changed life can be the catalyst for the transformation of an entire region!   As you make the choice to love people around you at home, in the marketplace, in the workplace or wherever you go, never underestimate the significance of one transformed life and the ripple effect it will have! This is why the Lord urges you not to judge people, but to love them and see the treasures within. This is what will set the captives free!   Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.  - Ephesians 5:1-2 (MSG) -

Living in the Presence by Pastor Susan Fochler

by Pastor Susan Fochler We did church a little differently last week.  We opened up space to encounter God experientially all over the sanctuary.  From divinely inspired art, to soaking and communion, hand washing and intimate prophetic encounter; to joyous laughter and fresh infilling.  The atmosphere was charged with His presence; I could feel His joy at how His kids were ministering to one another, giving, receiving, and flowing in His river of life. Giving Space for Daily Encounters I was reminded of how much God is willing to encounter me daily, just like what happened last Saturday night.  However, the tyranny of “busyness” can dull my awareness of where God might be in a situation, a conversation.  In our oh-so-busy world it can be hard to remember to stop and just be for a while.  Yet when I dial down and allow my true heart to surface, I am reinvigorated, joy returns and I am refreshed with the awareness that He is always right here.  His “still small voice” somehow becomes louder as distractions fade away. Gods Presence Heals Our Perspective Nothing compares with being in God’s presence.  We start thinking more clearly, anxieties dissolve and little annoyances diminish.  The Psalmist describes his struggle with the many injustices he experiences in his world, and felt overwhelmed and confused.  He couldn’t sort it all out, until he came into God’s presence.  “...It was too puzzling...too much of a riddle to me.  But then, one day I was brought into the sanctuaries of God, and in the light of glory, my distorted perspective vanished.” Ps. 73:16, 17 The Passion He will Satisfy your Hungry Soul! Let's agree with the revelation King David had about what is available to us when we come to our God hungry and thirsty for the One Thing:  “O God how extravagant is your cherishing love!  All mankind can find a hiding place, under the shadow of Your wings.  All may drink of the anointing from the abundance of Your house!  All may drink their fill from the delightful springs of Eden.  To know You is to experience a Flowing Fountain, Drinking in Your life springing up to satisfy.  In the light of Your holiness we receive Your revelation.”  Ps. 36:7-9  The Passion Oh, yes, Jesus!  Give us an encounter with You as a Flowing Fountain, a Source of life that never runs dry.  You are the One, the only One who meets us and satisfies us as none other.  And launch us, I pray into a new reality of the Kingdom of God that is not about what we eat or drink or do, but Life overflowing in Your Righteousness, Peace and Joy, Unending! Love, Susan

Joy and Vulnerability by Pastor Russ Fochler

Last Saturday night I shared about “Leaning in to Joy”.  We honored the Holy Spirit on the eve of Pentecost/Shavuot.  And we savored the justice, peace, and joy we have by means of the Holy Spirit.  Then I showed several video clips of Brené Brown talking about how we “armor” ourselves against being “present" when we feel vulnerable. Brené listed three basic types of “armor” most of us use to a greater or lesser degree: Foreboding joy, perfectionism, and numbing. Something is foreboding when it is a cue to us something bad is about to happen.  Movies and TV shows often use dramatic music to create a sense of foreboding.  Brené made this observation: “When we lose our tolerance for vulnerability, joy becomes foreboding”.  This means we pair joy with a foreboding expectation something bad is about to happen. Brené noted from her research; no other “affect” or emotion feels as vulnerable as joy.  For example, watching a sleeping child and becoming aware of how much we love them, how much joy we share with them — feeling great joy and vulnerability together.  How often do we then “go” to imagining how we could survive the loss of this one we love more than life?  Brené talked about our choice to “soften into joy”, to “lean into joy” instead of imagining the loss of those we experience joy with. So what do we do when we experience a joyful connection and we’re immediately tempted to imagine/calculate a tragedy around the corner — to try to “beat vulnerability to the punch”?  Or when we feel vulnerable, and we’re inclined to find safety through trying to do everything right — so maybe nothing bad will happen? (This is perfectionism).  Or when those vulnerable feelings tempt us to “numb-out” on food or TV or shopping or alcohol/drugs or porn or finding something to get offended about?   First, it’s important to become curious about what we’re feeling and where our mind is going.  When we realize: “Oh, I guess I’m feeling vulnerable/uncomfortable.”  Then we can respond mindfully instead of catastrophizing, striving to be “perfect”, or numbing. We can receive Bill Hernandez’ encouragement from his talk “Arms of Love in the Night”.  Bill shared his experience of asking Father God to hold him when Bill felt vulnerable – and feeling God’s tangible arms around him with comfort and kindness.  We can do this too!  Another response is to practice gratitude.  Developing a habit of expressing gratitude to God and others in the midst of joy and other vulnerable feelings.  Brené shared how surprised she was when she tried this when she found herself catastrophizing about the possibility someone could invade her home and attack her family.  Being thankful to God for her family, for the joy and love she felt for them actually shifted the foreboding and fear.  The Apostle Paul talks about this:      “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NKJV      “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV There are connections between rejoicing (responding with joy), giving thanks, sharing our needs with God, and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Feeling thankful for you.                              Russ Fochler

Renewed Thoughts by Pastor Karena Lout

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corin. 10:3-5     The Apostle Paul uses militant language like “waging war” because there’s often a very real battle in our minds. My compassion tank is full for those who have felt stuck in destructive thought patterns. I’ve struggled with this myself and know the pain and isolation that can accompany it. The good news is that God has provided a way out. I believe the area of your thought life that you feel the most attacked in, will be the area you will have the greatest victory!     I love that Jesus invites us into a participatory relationship with Him. He uses present tense action verbs throughout scripture (renew, set, take hold, do). "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the Earth.  For you died and your life is hidden with christ in God." Colossians 3:2 The word “set” means to make an ongoing decision. Jesus invites us to live out on a daily basis what He purchased for us on the cross. He has provided new mercy and grace every day that we can grab hold of, to take thoughts captive before they become a stronghold in our lives.     In 1 Samuel, David was anointed to succeed Saul as king. But soon after, he finds himself on the run from Saul and his enemies. He hides in the cave of Adullam. Most archaeologists believe the cave wasn’t far from the place where David killed Goliath. He went from being celebrated, to hiding like a criminal. David’s family followed him to the cave, along with men who were “down and out”. David became the leader of 400 men there.     There are a few things about this story that I think are vital for us when we’re going through difficulties. It’s important we don’t isolate ourselves. Allow those who love you to come alongside you and remind you who you are when you can’t see it for yourself. The cave can be a place we fall into despair, allow our thoughts to spiral and become a victim of our circumstances. OR the cave can be a place where we lean into God’s faithfulness and love for us and grow through the pain and struggles. Adullam means Refuge. God was David’s refuge and help in times of trouble. When he faced hardships, he continually submitted his thoughts to God because he knew how vulnerable his thought life could be during those times. “Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24

Getting victory over our thought life cannot be done in our own strength. It’s by His Spirit that our minds are renewed. Our part is acknowledging our need for God on a daily basis. We can’t do this without Him! I pray that you would hear God’s good, kind and loving thoughts toward you today. I pray He would calm the tumultuous waters and that the traffic in your mind would come to a stop. Jesus provides peace and rest for the weary. Listen to the heartbeat of Heaven for you today.                                                     Love,                                                          KARENA