Going Through the Fire

We overCOME by the word of our testimony.
Satan's driving force is to steal kill and destroy...against YOU.  He's AGAINST you and every GOOD thing God has for YOU.
What's he gonna come after?  Your testimony. 

There is not a single story in the Bible that doesn't bare the mark of opposition from the enemy.  Trying to STILL the hand of God and put a STOP to every plan designed by Heaven.  To destroy destiny.  Testimony.  To STOP the kingdom from advancing. 

Daniel is an example of how doing right can sometimes cause us to go through the fire. 

Don't think for a second that the devil was not USING these circumstances to erase the name and testimony of Daniel.  Worshiping other Gods.  Worshiping ANY other God but the ONE TRUE God ---- getting people to take their eyes and devotion off God and place them on a mere MAN who is UNABLE to save....?  That's Satan's territory.
So when Daniel refused?  and BLATANTLY and publicly PRAYED? Trumpets may have sounded in heaven.  God may have been honored.  Daniel may have increased in FAITH as His courage rose to the task.  BUT.................even for the doing the RIGHT thing he had to go through the fire. 

There is NO way in HELL that the devil will allow this to come to ANYthing but the destruction of Daniel and his heart for God.  God may ALLOW us ---- for whatever reason only known to Him and the secret places of Heaven---- to go through the fire.
It could be because of a situation made by our own hands, because of mistakes we've made, or because we've taken a STAND to do the right thing. 

So through the fire we go.

"Did I make the right choice?"

"I'd have been better off keeping my mouth shut."

"I didn't see THIS coming." 

"This was supposed to go MY way." 

God didn't promise we wouldn't have to go through the fire.
He DID promise that He would never leave.

He DID promise it would not consume us. 

He DID promise He would deliver us.  Even from the mouth of a lion. 

The enemy ROARED!!!!!!! -----and planned to still the HAND of God.
.......but God had plans to SILENCE the enemy. 

He's after your testimony.  Determined to destroy a testimony of a saving Grace.  A God who is POWERFUL to SAVE.  Strong enough to deliver.  And always present to deliver us from the fire. 

If you're going through the fire --- wait for your deliverance.  God knows where you are and He will bring you out.  STAND YOUR GROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 ^{1 Peter 5:8-11} Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation

Lord give me the strength and COURAGE today to STAND my ground regardless of the lion's roar.  Help me to remember that your plans are eternal and you will silence my enemy and stop every intention he has for destroying my testimony.  Thank you for the HOPE and the FUTURE you have planned for me.  Keep me----even in the FIRE----that when I come out I am refined even by the testing.  USE those moments for GOOD and for your GLORY.  You are sovereign and I TRUST you.  Amen.