Chasing Huckleberries : week 1

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Where Fire Has Been

1 Peter 4:12-13

"Dear friends, don't be surprised by the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 

Instead, be very glad -- for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world." 

When's the last time you were "burned?" 

Peter is writing to people who were just burned.

Don't come to the conclusion that God isn't on the job.

Being burned hurts.

It's devastating at times.

It hurts for a purpose.

It hurts on the way to something

What can happen when fie has been....

Fire helps huckleberries grow.

After fire comes new growth, new life.

*Where fire has been, it lets Light in.*

Huckleberries love sunlight.

After the plants around the huckleberries grow they shade the delicious plants and huckleberries quit growing.

So come a fire, and it helps start at ground zero and the huckleberry bushes once again start over.

We try to do good by taking away fire, but that's not best for the growth that needs to happen.

Quit trying to take the pain away.

God has not abandoned you.

Pain is part of God's plan to strengthen you, and build fruit in you.

Glory is just around the corner.

Suffering with a plan.

Rejoice in the pain. 

James 1:2-3 "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

We have to accept the good with the bad.

I will worship You, though You slay me.

When you look beyond you trials you become more aware of :

1. Look for your priorities to shift

2. Your sense of God's presence

3. Revelation

4. Opportunity

5. Passion

Sometimes it takes feeling alone to realize you're not alone.

Matthew 5:3-4 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

You'll read scripture differently when you're in a trial.

We can miss the redemptive thing God has for you in the trial.

There are certain seeds that can only be used after a fire.

There may be a seed in the pain that is only able to flourish when heat-activated.

Continue to choose to put your hope in Him.

Your worship is the most powerful when you're in pain.

Caution in all of this :

Don't wait for pain to come to try and dig roots down deep.

You mustn't be in a hurry.