“And what does the Lord require of you, But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8b (NKJV)

Walking. A natural, everyday practice. Simple. Uncomplicated. Generally speaking, everyone does it, or at least tries to. But what

does it mean to walk with God?

My second oldest son was born profoundly deaf. His story is one of miracles, as he does life with special needs and God’s amazing help.

He now has a cochlear implant that helps him hear, but there are times when his little brothers can actually get too loud for him, and he can’t hear my voice. So, we put on our walking shoes and head outside.

He links his arm in mine and leans his mechanical “ear” close to me. We lock in our steps and head off. No distractions. Just him and me. As long as we walk closely beside each other, he can always hear me, and I can always hear him. And, oh the conversations we have! From God’s creation, to thoughts of what heaven is like, we talk and talk. And we discover things along the way. The wildflowers by the road, the colours brilliant in the sky, the birds flying overhead. The discoveries are so much richer when we find them together.

This is my picture of how to walk with God. We lean in close to Him. Put distractions aside to hear just His voice. Talk with Him . . . all

the time. Keep in step and discover the blessings along the way together. Then, out of this place comes the good fruit. Walking humbly with God helps us to “do” justly and make wise choices. We learn how to love and show mercy. It’s simple. An everyday practice. Uncomplicated. Find joy in walking close to God today!

Father, thank You for walking with me. For always speaking, and for never leaving me to do this life’s journey alone.

– Kim (Hill) Elias

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.” Psalm 18:16 (NKJV)

Growing up, I always had a fear of water, especially if I had to swim a long distance. Access to a swimming pool in my northern community was not an option, so our swimming was in dugouts, rivers and lakes. One day, while swimming in a dugout, I was trying to make it from one end to the other. Fear overtook me, and I thought I wasn’t going to make it. However, I had a friend there who kept telling me, “You’re gonna make it!” If he had not been there to encourage me, I am not sure what would have happened.

On another occasion, it was springtime when the ice was breaking up. My cousin and I were standing on a small piece of floating ice with open water all around us, with long sticks to push ourselves around. Just for fun, using our body weight, we started swaying our piece of ice up and down, and back and forth. Suddenly, it seemed that the ice we were standing on was going to flip! In fear, we yelled out for help. Thankfully, my older brother heard and came over on a larger piece of ice to rescue us.

If we look back on our lives, I’m sure we can all be amazed at all the times we have been rescued from potentially harmful situations.

While in Bible college, I remember reading the verse (above): “He drew me out of many waters.” I thanked Jesus for using my brother to be my rescuer that day. Really, Jesus is my Rescuer. He rescued me from the judgement of my sins by taking my place. Not only that, but He also continues to rescue me from dangerous situations in life.

Dear Jesus, thank You for being my Rescuer from sin, and also from all my other difficult situations in life. Amen.

– Frank Ward

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ

Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

God can always be trusted to provide our needs, but sometimes our faith is tested when it looks like we’re going to come up short. We

were in Farmington, New Mexico, working in Gospel music, singing in different communities in the area. I remember one day we drove up to a beautiful hotel that our hosts had provided for us. The kids were so excited about staying there, and they were happy to get off the bus and be able to play.

The problem was that we had no food, no money, and barely any fuel for the bus. The rest of the band were singing at a nearby Navajo camp meeting, but I stayed behind to get the kids ready for bed. They were hungry, and all I had to give them was a chocolate bar split into three. After they fell asleep, I just sat there crying and thinking, “What are we doing here?”

We were so far away from home, and the money coming in had been scarce up to that point. With long distances, breakdowns, and

dates having to be cancelled, we’d been praying for God to supply our needs. But so far, it looked like He wasn’t answering our prayers.

That night Kene came back to the room carrying a bunch of food, and enough money to fuel up the bus again. It was awesome to be reassured of God’s provision! Over the years of working in Gospel music, God has never let us down. As we serve Him, God has shown His faithfulness time after time. And when we need reminding, He shows it to us again.

Dear Jesus, thank You that, as Your children, we can always trust You to provide all our needs. Amen.

– Milly Jackson

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:8 (NKJV)

In today’s society there is lots of pressure to have the best of everything. TV ads tout, “You deserve it!” Then, subconsciously and sometimes unrealistically, they embed in the minds of the susceptible that they can have it all.

Lynda faithfully tithes to her church each payday, and also gives offerings. At Lynda’s workplace, though, Dana, a new employee, is

hired. Beautiful and single, she dresses in name brand styles and drives an expensive sports car. Lynda’s boss extols Dana as the model professional woman and whenever their fi rm needs a representative, Dana is the one he sends.

One day Dana, assigned to yet another function, tells the boss that she will need an extra hand. Just then, she spots Lynda checking her

mail slot. “Would she be okay?” Dana asks. The boss approves. Meeting day arrives, and it’s lunchtime. Dana says, “There’ll be long lines everywhere. I could fi x us something quick at my house.” Lynda agrees. They speed away to Dana’s and once inside the opulent dwelling, Lynda, in her everyday outfit and “on clearance” shoes, has never felt dowdier and more out-of-place. “I’ll cut back on giving,” she thinks, “Don’t I deserve nice things, too?”

Dana prepares their sandwiches and Cokes. Seated on stools at the counter, Lynda spots the stacks of bills on the countertop. Among them are overdue high-end dress shops, car payment reminders, and a furniture store’s “Final Notice.” Lynda silently reminds herself that although her salary is modest, she is debt free and lacks nothing. She also thanks God for the reminder that things are not always what they seem!

Thank You, Father God, for the many ways in which You remind us that You will always provide for Your children who obey Your Word.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

– Kiki BelMonte-Schaller

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone

out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh

is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is

coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3 (NIV)

When a person is teaching or following a way that does not believe that Jesus came from God, it is time for that person to be corrected.

It is not an easy task to correct such a person, but those who are filled with the Holy Spirit need to take on the challenge. Allowing false

teaching in the church is very dangerous.

Jesus said there is only one way to heaven, and that way is Himself. We need to know the Word of God and teach that there is no other

way. Jesus is sufficient. We do this out of love . . . and we also correct in love. Jesus said that in the end times there would be many false

teachers in the world to lead us astray. But when you’re walking close to Jesus, He will be there to lead, guide and direct you by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is sufficient. We don’t need new teachings about our Lord to draw people to church. We need to present Jesus and Him alone. He

will draw people through His love and saving grace.

Dear Jesus, thank You that You are God and God alone. Thank You that You are sufficient for my life. Help me to share You with others

today, that they also may have hope in their lives. Keep us from false teachers. May we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’

name. Amen.

– Jack Ducharme

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

These are words from a letter that the aging Apostle Paul sent to his young protégé, Timothy, as he was coming to the end of his life and ministry.

Today I talked to Ed, a godly elder in his last days here on Earth. He spoke softly and calmly as he talked about the funeral plans. He knew he was dying, but he was more than ready for it. The conversation really moved me, and I started thinking about the others, the ones who step into eternity and aren’t ready for it, not like my friend Ed.

What would that be like, to cross the river without knowing what’s on the other side, and with no possibility of return? Or worse still, to

cross that river trusting in a belief that one finds to be false, but only after it’s too late to do anything about it. Those are not good scenarios.

Ed chose differently. Like the Apostle Paul, he based his belief on God’s Word and followed that faithfully. Now his time’s come to cross that river, and there’s no fear, dread, or apprehension—just a calm assurance as his feet touch the water.

Some sobering thoughts.

– Kene Jackson

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from

destroying people.” Jonah 4:2b (NLT)

The story of Jonah tells of God’s judgement, and of His mercy. Nineveh was a very violent and wicked place. God is holy and can’t stand sin, so He planned to destroy it. He commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh to warn them, and to preach repentance. But Jonah had no love for those people. He knew about God’s forgiving heart, so he went in the opposite direction!

You likely know the rest of the story. God sent a storm that threatened the lives of those onboard the boat. Jonah told the crew that the

only way to stop the storm was to throw him overboard. They did, and the storm instantly subsided. God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah— not to kill him, but to save him and give him another opportunity to obey. After three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, Jonah was vomited out on the shore, and went immediately to Nineveh. Jonah preached, and the whole city repented!

I know a bit how Jonah felt. I have worked as a commercial fisherman, and I know the smell of fish. I can’t imagine what it would be like to try to breathe while inside one! Like Jonah, God has sent me to communities where evil seems to rule—places that are plagued with violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and other evils. Sometimes we want to stay far away from those places, even if those are our home communities.

Let’s not run from God’s plan, like Jonah. As Christ followers, we have experienced God’s forgiveness for our own sins. We need to warn

people about the consequences of sin and share about God’s mercy through Jesus—even with people who have treated us badly, and who are hard to love.

– Gilbert Bekkatla

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 (NLT);

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3 (NIV)

Some people may think that sending “Thank You” notes is old fashioned. However we do it, it should never become old fashioned to

acknowledge our appreciation for others. Like the verses above say, if our hearts are in the right place, then it should be natural to speak words of thankfulness, or put it in writing. I have tried to remember to do this, but I know I have failed many times. Often, we might find ourselves saying, “I will do that one of these days.”

Recently, I realized that I had waited too long to do this. I had often wanted to express my appreciation to a certain friend from way back when we were teenagers. At the time, our church youth group used to play softball every Friday during the summer. Each week, different ones would be captains and would choose their team for that evening. My girlfriend and I were not very good players, so most captains never picked us—we just somehow ended up on one of the teams.

But this one fellow would always pick my friend and me first to be on his team. What encouragement! So, not too long ago, I thought I

would try to track him down and tell him about those incidents many years ago. I was surprised to find out that he had passed away suddenly not very long before. That made me sad—it was another missed opportunity to express my appreciation.

This is just a reminder to all of us to never put things off that we may be prompted to say or do. Most of all, we need to give thanks and

praise to God each day, then to our family and friends. Let us bless and encourage others!

– Bessie McPeek

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b (NLT)

Whenever I read the Book of Esther, I am always so impressed with the courage that Esther showed in many ways. I especially notice it when she requested to appear before King Xerxes uninvited. In that culture, to do so could mean death. Yet she did as requested by her cousin, Mordecai. He thought that maybe there was a reason that Esther had been made queen for this very time—to help her people.

She had courage, and went before the king uninvited, but the king spared her and listened to her plea. We, too, may have fears to do

things that are needed, and it takes courage.

Surprisingly, in the Book of Esther there is no mention of God’s name. Yet as you read through this book, you can see God’s hand in it all. What I take away from this book is that God is always present, even when life is chaotic or deeply troublesome.

God is always with you. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither

fail you nor abandon you” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT).

We may think or feel that we are alone in our struggles and battles, and our hearts are heavy from the load. At times we may feel as if God is not with us or doesn’t care. Yet He is with you, and He certainly cares. He gives us the courage to keep on trusting Him, and we can rest in Him, knowing that His hand is in it all!

– Myrna Kopf

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org

“The Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the Lord is their heritage.” Joshua 18:7a (ESV)

After I devoted my life to the Lord, I went to Bible college. I was tested there—academically, spiritually, and personally. It was a long road. Part of that journey was trying to adjust to a different society. As a Native American coming off the reservation, I was a minority. My worldview and strange sense of humor were basically a foreign language to those around me, and not to mention I was considered an

“older than average student.”

I didn’t do well in high school, so it was stressful trying to learn to write papers at the college level. I had never read so much in my life!

For the first two years I used Google constantly as a dictionary. But the hardest part was listening to other students share about their families and their “Hallmark Holiday” stories. I sat in classrooms with people who had never done drugs or alcohol. They never bore the pain of losing family members to suicide or overdoses. I felt out of place most of the time.

But then I realized that I had been focusing on what others had, and I would often dwell on what I didn’t have. One day I read the verse (above) in Joshua, and I began to cry. The tribe of Levi didn’t receive land like the other tribes, but they received something greater—an inheritance in the Lord!

After I realized what I had in the Lord, something powerful began to happen. I began to be genuinely happy for those other students, and I was able to celebrate with and for them, because I was now secure in Christ. What I’m saying is, “The Lord is your inheritance and that is all you need.” My friends, count your blessings.

– Mark Little Elk

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org