Spread the Fire - May 2008 - (Page 8)

I worked my first real job when I was about sixteen. I came home one day with my first paycheck. My father must have tuned into my excitement about having cash in my wallet. He looked at me and said, “How much money do you have in your wallet?” I wasn’t totally sure, but said, “About thirty dollars.” He then said, “I’ll give you everything in that jug for everything in your wallet.” This was not uncommon. It was his way of training me to take risks and make quick decisions. of interpretation so that you may understand His purpose for you. Do not back off in discouragement at dreams or circumstances that do not make sense. Rather, understand that God is inviting you into a life of discovery where He will help you solve the mystery. If you choose to enroll, your life will include divine epiphanies and glorious revelation. God apparently loves to tantalize us with mystery. I search this out in my recent book, VOICES: UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING TO THE LANGUAGE OF HEAVEN. In chapter one, I tell the story of my son at the age of two. He was a typical toddler, full of energy and eager to play. Many times, I’d come home from work, just wanting to relax. He, though, was eager to play; and he wanted to get me off of the sofa. I’d lie there and call to him to come and give me a hug. He would reply coyly, “No!” Being the lazy man I am, I developed ways to draw him to come to me. I would call across the room and say, “Josh, come seg moy yum.” Repeating this nonsensical statement over and over again would make him curious. He would move slowly closer, studying my lips, trying to understand what his dad was saying until he would be standing right in front of me. Unaware that he had been lured into my trap through a mystery, he became easy prey for tickling! God uses mystery to draw you closer to Him so that He can reveal His purpose to you. Have you ever heard a sound from heaven that said something like, “Come seg moy yum?” Pay the price to seek the meaning. DO YOU HAVE THE DESIRE? Moses had been living in the wilderness for forty years when a voice coming from a burning bush turned his life upside down. The Bible says that he saw the burning bush and “turned aside to see the great sight.” The text then says, “When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look God called to him.” (Ex. 3:3-4) In this case, a simple “turning aside,” provided a doorway to revelation. Moses solved the Could it be that if we have a desire to understand, we might solve the mysteries of life? I asked him if I could lift the jug, because I couldn’t remember when we had emptied it last and how much money it might contain. He declined. I had to take a risk, and I had to make the decision quickly. He told me that the offer was running out fast. I looked at the jug and into his eyes, back to the jug and responded, “You’ve got a deal.” I handed him the thirty dollars and ran to empty the jug. As I counted the change, my quick estimate was confirmed; I had made a good deal. The jug contained over one hundred and twenty five dollars. Do you know why I made the deal? My father loved me and I knew it! I knew that he would never trick me into making an offer that wouldn’t work for my benefit. That was one of many deals we made over the years. His love empowered me to take risks. He made it easy for me to solve the dilemma, because He loved me. A loving God will not trick you, either. He will train you to do great exploits. (Daniel 11: 32:b) ENROLL IN THE SCHOOL OF INTERPRETATION In order to train you, He will take you to His school S TF - 8

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Spread the Fire - May 2008

Spread the Fire - May 2008 Contents In the River From Mystery to Clarity: Understanding the Language of Heaven Don't Settle for a Substitute Marooned in Bolivia The Sign of Israel's Blooming International Itinerary Resource Center Catalogue Visitor Information Upcoming Events

Spread the Fire - May 2008

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