Rise Up From Your Ashes

"For our God [is indeed] a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29).

The scriptures talks many times of our Father being a consuming fire. The fire comes and purifies or consumes those things that are not like Him. This fire could be wounds inflicted upon us, conflicts with others, circumstances that leave us bewildered. Once the fire has come and done its work ashes remain. Like Job we can choose to sit in the ashes "And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself, and he sat down among the ashes" (Job 2:8), or rise up and allow God to give us His beauty for our ashes. "To grant [consolation and joy]to those who mourn in Zion-to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burden, and failing spirit - that they might be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified"(Isaiah 61:3).

As long as you hold onto your ashes you can not receive the beauty God wants to give you. You must choose to let go of those ashes you grasp so tightly whether it be hatred, resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, hurt, self-pity or any other name that is keeping you in dust or ashes. No matter what ashes remain from your past rise up thank God for the fire that comes to purify and allow Him to give you His beauty for all things work together for good. "We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Here His call today for you to RISE UP FROM THE ASHES!