Morning by Morning, October 27 - Fiery Trials Produce Fearless Followers of Christ Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and every moment of my day. ... “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13). Fiery trials purify our hearts and fashion our character. Fiery trials reveal our hearts and expose our character. And fiery trials make us more like You, as we “share Christ’s sufferings” and reveal Christ’s glory. Fiery trials produce fearless followers of Christ. That’s another dimension of understanding our true identity in Christ and the true Identity of Christ in us -- “Christ in (us), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). We can’t have a testimony without the tests. We can’t be victorious unless we’ve fought some battles. We can’t be overcomers unless we’ve overcome some challenges. And we can’t be more than conquerors unless we’ve conquered what was set before us on our journey into our personal promised land. None of that’s in our power. In fact, that’s the point -- to learn that apart from You, we can do nothing -- nothing lasting, nothing of significance, nothing of eternal meaning. That’s how we learn what’s just “wood, hay, and stubble” and what’s “gold, silver, and precious stones” among the moments and the meaning of our lives here in this short sliver of time we have between life and death on this earth with our one opportunity to allow You to make us more like You (1 Corinthians 3:12). “Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done” (1 Corinthians 3:13). So I thank You for the Fire. And I thank You that You’re right here with me through fiery trials, just as You promised: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1-3). Though there are times when it seems like it gets almost too hot to bear, when it seems all-consuming, unrelenting. Yet that’s just what we need, as You burn everything out of us that is not yet like You, “for our God is a consuming Fire” (Hebrews 12:29). And that’s just what You promised, as John said of You: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear his threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable Fire” (Matthew 3:11-12). The same Fire that brings the power of God is the same Fire that brings the holiness of God, the character of Christ in us -- here in our hearts and here in our lives, wholly surrendered and committed to You. So I pray for Your grace to embrace the Fire and endure the fiery trials, as You make me more like You each day (Romans 8:29; 1 John 4:17). “In this (we) rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, (we) have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of (our) faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though (we) have not seen Him, (we) love Him. Though (we) do not now see Him, (we) believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of (our) faith, the salvation of (our) souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be empowered and emboldened by the Holy Spirit to stand up and speak out and take action as the Lord leads in your community and your nation to come against the tide of godlessness in our day, in Jesus' name. God bless you! Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org | 
