Sunday morning's service was a powerful time as the Lord revealed the two-fold purpose of His fire in our lives. The fire not only burns away the things that do not belong within us, but it purifies the qualities and gifts that the Lord has put in to us. Our destinies are tried and refined in the fire.

The Lord wants us to know that He is the friend in the fire. We can be sure that in the fire of our lives we will come out not even smelling of smoke, but having found the Lord faithful. The world will see us in the fire and see the power of our God.

Sunday night was another pointed time of intercession over our nation and the coming election. It is becoming clear that this election has not been decided in the Heavens and that God is waiting for His people to contend for righteousness and justice in our land once again.

We prayed for dreams and visions to capture the hearts and minds of all running for office. That the Lord would turn their heartsd just as He did with King Nebuchadnezzar. God can go behind closed doors where no other man can reach and can speak and reveal himself to a person. Lord, we cry out for our nation!

If you have ever stood on the banks of a creek where the rapids are white tipped, and the sound of water testifies to the strength of that stream, then you are in part familiar to the Spirit of God that is flowing throughout the earth. It is a movement that is powerful, both in sight and in sound. However, just as the rapids in the natural may scare us off a few steps from the shore, we often back away from the edge of God's stream as well. Maybe if we only dip in the river we can "experience" it without being carried away. We can get wet without becoming drenched. Many Christians settle down, toes in the water, letting the current go through their toes. They listen to the crashing waves, feel the breeze, but are never moved from their spot on the banks.

Until we get IN the river, will we never be moved by God to the places HE desires. You see, the river goes where it wants. Men try to build levees and force it to go a certain way, but eventually it breaks free. It deposits where it wants, and picks up where it wants. Think and pray about getting closer to the water's edge. It's time we stopped only partaking of the LORD, while not letting Him partake of US. Let the current grab you. Let the Holy Spirit create in you a new passion for life, for His Kingdom, and for this world.

-Pastor Philip