Fireproof your Life

By: Kathryn Epps

“Satan is the God of this world, his work is to deceive and he has
blinded those that do not believe in Jesus Christ” 2 Corinthians 11 14-
15

The allure of sex, drugs, money and power blind people to the truth of
the word of God. Those who reject God and His word or choose their
own pleasures and pursuits unknowingly make Satan their God. Do not
be fooled by external appearances. Satan uses many tactics including
smoke and mirrors often presenting illusions to lure you into his snare.
Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing to be attractive,
good and moral.

Another one of Satan’s tools is to discourage, divide, conquer and

ultimately destroy our faith in God. Causing us to give in and give up.

Fireproof does not mean fire will never come, it

means
when it comes You are able to withstand it.
(Fireproof~Movie)

Be Not Discouraged
It is easy to lose heart and quit. We all face problems in our
relationships, at work and in our daily lives that make us feel like
quitting or think about giving up.
Rather than quitting or giving up when persecution wore Paul down,
instead he concentrated on the inner strength that came from the Holy
Spirit.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you
with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home
in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into
God’s love and keep you strong.” Ephesians 3:16-17

“Now all glory to God , who is able, through his mighty power at work
within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think”
Ephesians 3:20
Do not let fatigue, pain, or criticism cause you thoughts of giving up.
Trials and tribulations should not waiver your FAITH, or cause you to be
disillusioned. We must realize there is purpose for our suffering. There
are spiritual benefits that are produced from the suffering.

 They remind us of how Christ suffered.

 They keep us from being prideful, accepting our human limitations.
 We must look beyond the world at the Power Greater than
ourselves.
 Opportunity to prove the Power of Faith to others
 Gives God the opportunity to demonstrate his Power.

A Plan within the Word of God

As written within the word of God, the soldier doesn’t get tired, the
athlete follows rules and the farmer enjoys his harvest. It speaks of the
endurance and discipline it takes to get to and the rewards of the
harvest. We are equipped with the tools and the strength to endure
and overcome the suffering and ultimately have the Victory. It is
written in the word of God if we only follow his direction. As Paul has
shared in 2 Timothy 2:3-8, we will face suffering, trials and tribulations
but we will be able to endure.

In 2 Timothy 3:2-5 there is a warning about the difficult times to come.

“For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be
boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and
ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving
and unforgiving, they will slander others and have no self control. They
will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be
reckless, be puffed up with pride and love pleasure rather than God.
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make
them godly. STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE LIKE THAT!!!!!”
Don’t give in to society’s pressures. Don’t settle for comfort without
commitment. Stand up against Evil by living as God would have you
live.

Pleasure vs. God

Why is it so tempting to “love pleasure” rather than God?

Pleasure: brings instant gratification, most pleasures are easily

obtained. Pleasure has a drug effect it can take us away from our
problems and ourselves. It is a codependent of Pride, it makes us feel
good or look good to others.

God: requires work, understanding and commitment. The benefit is in

the future. God reminds us of our needs, responsibilities and our
vulnerabilities. With God we must put aside Pride and acknowledge
His power in which we gain the strength to achieve our goals and
successes.

“All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me”

(Phillipians4:13)
There is nothing wrong with desiring a pleasurable life-God gives us
gifts he intends for us to enjoy. Living “of the World” involves seeking
pleasures often at the expense of not honoring God. Pleasures that
keep us from pleasing God are “sinful”. Pleasure from the rewards of
God are good.

James explains that conflicts are a result of the evil desires that battle
within us. We are often motivated by greed or envy. We pray and
often because of our own hidden agendas the prayers are unanswered.
“Do you only ask to satisfy your desires?” “Do you seek our God’s
approval for plans you have made?”
Prayers become powerful when we submit ourselves to God, ask God
to remove your selfish desires and allow Him to change our desires to
conform to His will in your life.

In 1 John 3:21-22 John tells us:

“Dear Friends, if we don’t feel guilty we can come to God with bold
confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we
obey him and do things that please him.”

God has not forgotten you.

He has plans 4 U

We are encouraged by a God who wants us to move forward. He

believes we can do the tasks he has given us. He believes in us and He
will be there the whole way. He knows the future and the plan He has
for us is good and full of HOPE.

As long as we follow where God leads and we follow His agenda for His
will in our life ~ We will have infinite hope and possibilities. It does not
however, mean we will be spared pain, suffering or hardship but He
does promise we will have the Victory.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, they are plans for
good not disaster, to give you future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

David states, the Lord is my shepherd, he writes this because he spent

many years caring for sheep. Sheep are completely dependant on the
shepherd for guidance and protection, We could learn from them, In
Hebrews 12:20, Jesus is called the Great Shepherd. As the Lord, as our
shepherd, we are his sheep. Not the frightened passive animals but as
the wise followers. Wise enough to follow one who will lead us to the
right places and in the right direction.
The shepherd knows the “green meadows” and “peaceful streams”
that will restore us. We can only reach them by following where the
shepherd leads. To disobey the direction of the shepherd is to rebel
against your own best interests.

God’s Guarantee of what’s to come.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7 Paul describes us as fragile clay jars containing a

great treasure. Revealing our great power is from God and not
ourselves. Paul reminds us though we may feel as though we can no
longer hold on we are never without hope. We will see sin and
suffering but God will never abandon us. All of our pain, suffering and
trials are opportunities for God to show his power and presence in and
through us. Look to God for strength when facing opposition, slander
or disappointment threaten to steal your joy or peace of mind.
Remember: No one can destroy what God has accomplished
through you.

“God himself has prepared us for this and as a guarantee he has given
us his Holy Spirit” 2 Corinthians 5:5

The Holy spirit is “God’s guarantee” of what’s to come. His work in our
lives confirms that the healing process has begun and will be
completed in the Lord’s presence. Each time your spirit is given a
scripture, convicted of sin, restrained from selfish behavior or moved
to love, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit in you. You have the Holy
spirit which is the beginning of the transformation process. When you
are faced with trials, pain or even suffering Trust God that his total
renewal of your body and spirit is in process.

The Holy spirit gives new life and you will not be the same. We are not
reformed, rehabilitated or reeducated, we are recreated. The
transformation process is complete and we become a brand new
person. It is not a superficial change it is a renewal of mind, body and
spirit. It requires a new way of looking at other people and the trials
and tribulations of life. It gives a fresh new perspective and a new way
of living, loving and forgiving.

“So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view.

At one time we thought of Jesus Christ merely from a human point of
view. How differently we know him now. This means anyone who
belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new
life has begun.” 2 Corinthians 5:16-17