Chocolate For Your Soul with Sheri Rose Shepherd - It's Time to Stop

by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke! — Daniel 3:27

God protected and displayed His power while Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago were in the fire. When they were pulled out of the fiery furnace the bible says that they did not even smell like smoke. Only God can be glorified in a fire.

Many of us feel like we are in fires that are burning up everything we live for and everything we love.

In this three-part series, I want to teach you what you can do when the flames seem to be consuming you.

Be sure and watch the video teaching that goes with this devotion.

When we were young we were taught by a fireman that if we were on fire, we were to stop, drop and roll. In the first part of this three-part series, I want to talk about what needs to stop when there's a fire in our lives that seems to be out of control.

STOP... Fueling your fears and instead feed your spirit with truth!

When we speak about how bad the fire is instead of how big God is, it causes us and everyone around us to become afraid. Think about how many catastrophes you may have suffered in your own mind and lived out when most of them never actually happened.

STOP... What is not working.

It has been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. If we find ourselves constantly burning ourselves up or burning ourselves out with what we are doing, then we need to stop and ask God what is not of Him and what is not fruitful and what is not working according to His perfect will.

STOP... And think about how the flames are affecting those around you.

Never do what ONLY benefits YOU! Do what is a blessing to others and brings glory to God! In other words, when you're willing to give up your WANTS for God's WILL just so you can be a blessing to others, God will bless you and give you a far greater life than you could ever give yourself.

God's Letter to You

I believe if The Lord was going to write you a personal letter about battles this life brings it may read like this....

My Beloved Warrior,

Hopelessness is just an illusion, my beloved. I am your hope and your future is in My hands. Just as I parted the Red Sea of hopelessness for Moses and My chosen people, I will part your sea and you will walk in the promises I have for your life. Don’t allow the illusion of the enemy to become reality. Fires will never burn you out; raging waters will not drown your dreams. I am bigger than any challenge you are facing. Now, My Princess Warrior, fight the temptation to give up and allow Me to walk you into a life filled with indescribable hope for your future!

Love,
Your King and hope!


Treasure of Truth

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." — Jeremiah 29:11