“He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language,

for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b (NIV)

Have you ever thought about how much damage a lie can do? According to the above scripture, the father of lies is a murderer. Murder

brings a lot of damage and pain! Wes and I got married at age 19 in the mid-1960s. Back then, a lie was a great offense, even in secular society. I don’t have room to explain the circumstances here, but we joined a wonderful group of people who passionately wanted to walk with the Lord. Many of them are still our closest friends, even though we have not lived near each other for over 30 years.

The trouble was that we had a lying, manipulative leader who must have lain awake at night conniving ways to hurt people. After 23 years of spiritual abuse, we knew that we needed to know the truth. We needed to walk away from his toxic leadership so we could grow spiritually. We studied the Bible for ourselves and followed what it said, and we received spiritual and emotional healing.

In the secular media, we hear things and see people’s responses, and it reminds us of the power of deception. It seems that people easily believe lies—they are like sheep without a shepherd. I wish I could gather them together and tell them the truth about our Savior. He came to set us free and give us an abundant life, now and for eternity.

Father, we come in Jesus’ name to ask for Your Holy Spirit to reveal Your truth to people who do not know You. Cause them to long for truth to such an extent that they will seek You with all of their hearts.

– Sue Carlisle

 

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 after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore,

confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)

After lifting something too heavy, things went very wrong with my health. I ended up in emergency surgery for an umbilical hernia

that strangulated. After surgery, my body rejected the mesh they’d put in, and I had three surgeries in three months in an effort to save my life. I spent over 120 days on a couch, as my body tried to heal. Home Care workers were my daily visitors as they dressed the wound, and cared for the vacuum pump machine I was hooked up to.

I was in so much pain, and it had been a long journey. One day I walked to a window that was open, looked up to the sky, and said,

“You’re still there, God?” In that moment, a gust of wind blew through the open window, with the sweetest smell of blossoms . . . but it was not the season for flowers or blossoms! With tears streaming down my face, I felt God’s beautiful reminder to me—I was not lost to Him.

If you’re going through a valley, God still sees you. You might not understand the circumstances, but He has not left you as you face

these trials. In the Bible, we read of Daniel being thrown into a lions’ den (Daniel 6), but God closed the mouths of the lions, so he was not harmed. In the same way, God can keep you as you walk through life. Stay rooted in the knowledge that God is present with you no matter what you are going through. He was with me through my health crisis, and because of this, I know that He will be with you in everything you might face. Trust Him in all things, and you’ll find that He is faithful with the promise of His presence.

– Corrie Hill

 

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

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself

from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 (NIV)

I remember Chris, a divorced single mom who’d recently lost her IT job and was struggling to live for Jesus and make a living for her and her daughter. After helping her move to yet another apartment, we struck up a conversation and the topic of foster parenting came up. Had she ever considered becoming a foster parent? She responded with a resounding, “No way! I’m not great with kids!” We encouraged her to think some more about it, to which she just kind of shrugged.

About three months later, we saw her again, and I sensed the difference God had been making. When asked if she had thought any

more about fostering, she blurted out, “That’s all I can think about! I’m scheduled to start the foster parent training on Tuesday!”

I remember her walking into our Native Church Fellowship with her first foster kids. She was hovering over them like a mama eagle, a smile beaming from ear to ear! She shared about how she looked at this as her ministry . . . and maybe the only godly parenting that these kids would ever experience. I just thought, “Wow, thank You, Lord!”

Fostering isn’t for everyone, but it is an open door to positively impact some children who will look back on your time with them and

remember what it was like to have someone in their life who actually cared about them, prayed for them, and lived out godliness as a

life pattern for them. I tip my hat in appreciation to all the Chrises, Franks, Carols, Jacks, Melindas, Dougs, Ruths, Cathies, Jims, Lindas,

Audreys, and everyone else who has taken on that challenge!

Think about it. Check it out. Is that a door that God is inviting you to walk through?

– 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 am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 (NKJV)

Well, there was no such thing as summer hockey before artificial ice. Now, in the month of June, the Stanley Cup is being contended

for well into the best part of our summer. That’s the NHL, but some people might have wondered about me when they recently saw me

walking across a parking lot with a hockey stick on a hot summer day!

Yes, I was a hockey enthusiast when I was young but, as I write this, I am neighboring 90 years. Well, I’ll try to explain why I was carrying a hockey stick that day. There’s a Goodwill Thrift Store on the west end of Edmonton. We decided to stop there for a few minutes on our way home. That is when it all happened! I shut the truck door before I asked my wife if she had her purse with the extra key. Her

answer? “Oh, no!”

As I stood there looking at my keys in the ignition, I thought, “I’d rather be locked out on a warm day than when it’s 40 below zero.” I then

remembered that I had left the windows slightly open, the rear one a bit more. It might work to use a hockey stick to reach in and tap the lock. It didn’t work — I had to call the Motor Association.

As I was waiting there, I thought about the fact that there is a “lockout” day coming in the spiritual realm. When the Lord destroyed the

world with a flood, there was one door into the ark. Genesis 7:15-16: “... they went into the ark to Noah . . . and the Lord shut them in” (NKJV).

Today, Jesus is the Door to the offer of an eternity with Him (John 10:9). Friend, if you have not already accepted Him, don’t you think

you should do it now?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my Door to salvation.

— Bill 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

“The Lord watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm; he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and

forevermore.” Psalm 121:5-8 (NIV)

Years ago, during my backslidden state, I hung around with people who drank. One of those times I went to a party with some friends

and my sister. Shortly after we arrived at the party shack, I felt uneasy and told my friend that I wanted to go home and not stay at the party. When I got up to leave, my friends left with me. It did not make sense to me at the time why I felt that I could not stay.

When I got home, I went to bed, planning to sleep right away. However, my dad came up to ask if we were at that certain place, and I told him that we had been there. I asked him why he was asking that, and he indicated that there were police all over that place. We were curious, but my father told us to stay put and not to go back there. The next morning, we found out what had happened. There were shootings and five people were killed. A very angry young man had come with a gun.

I have thought a lot of times about that night at that place . . . about how we were sitting by the doorway along the wall. We did not know how close we were to getting hurt, even killed.

The verse (at the top) comes to mind of how God looked after us even when we were in a backslidden state. It is so comforting and so

reassuring that God loves us, and His love is for everyone.

— Chris Quequish

 

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

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your

paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)

I recently saw a cartoon drawing of Jesus kneeling down in front of a small girl who is holding a little teddy bear. His hand is outstretched as if asking for her bear. She’s sad and is saying, “But I love it, God.” Little does she know that behind His back He is holding a larger, more beautiful teddy bear and He is saying, “Just trust me.”

How many times in our lives do we hold on to things, events, loved ones, and grudges, while God whispers to us, “If you just let it go and

surrender it all to Me, I will bless you! I know what is best for you. Just trust Me!”

When I was younger, I feared losing my loved ones. I held on so tight and was always so anxious and worried about losing them. One day I was praying and worrying, and God brought that hymn to my mind, “I Surrender All.” That day I let go and gave them over to God. “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.” I gave Jesus my “little teddy bear.”

It has not been easy, and I have still lost loved ones along the way, but I also know God does not make mistakes — He is still with me, and I know I can lean on Him for everything. He has blessed me with the larger, more beautiful “teddy bear.” All I had to do was let go and surrender.

“Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.”

— Leana Patenaude

 

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 beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which

is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

Now and then, when you’re studying God’s Word, you run across “nuggets” that you just never saw before! I found one recently that I figured I’d share with you. 2 Chronicles 17:16 tells about King Jehoshaphat’s army and the generals that he had. In the middle of the

list, we find Amasiah.

“Next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men

of valor” 2 Chronicles 17:16 (NKJV).

Who was he? We don’t find him anywhere else in Scripture. All we know is that he “willingly offered himself to the Lord.” What did he do to garner such an accolade? I don’t know . . . we’re just not told. That one line puts him in a historical category that few others share!

What a way to be remembered, eh? No one coerced, coaxed, or coached him — he just came to a place in his spiritual walk where he

realized that giving himself totally to the Lord was the best thing he could do with his life.

Amasiah’s life was what was described centuries later in Romans 12:1 as a “living sacrifice.” Here was a top-ranking army general living

out his faith in the pressure cooker career of military leadership.

It doesn’t matter what our occupation, role, or position is. We can each give ourselves totally to God and live out our faith in daily life —

like Amasiah!

Lord God, I give myself totally to You today. Help me to reflect you in every area of my life.

— 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

“Among the seven things the Lord hates and calls abominations is . . . a false witness who speaks lies.” Proverbs 6:19 (NKJV)

Most people agree that there are few things more despicable than a false witness — one who lies and says that a person is guilty

when he knows he is not. Pete had hired Ray, a friend, at his store selling business machines, furniture, and other items. “We’re finding it

hard to keep laptops in stock,” Pete says to Ray one day. “Folks must be shoplifting ours, because the sales aren’t showing in our records.” “Just the other day, a street kid offered one to me,” says Ray. “Then I saw him sell it to another guy. Probably a gang operating around here,” Ray adds, avoiding Pete’s eyes as they close shop.

“Keeping track of things is your job,” Pete says, then locks the door behind them. “I can’t afford to lose merchandise. I’ll call my buddy at

the police station. He’ll look into it.” Ray hops into Pete’s truck. “He should talk to that skinny kid with the scalp lock hair. I hear he rips off

stuff to sell!”

When Pete opens the shop the next day, his policeman friend parks beside him: “Morning, Pete. I need to talk to you.” “Did you find anything about the laptops?” Pete asks, as he unlocks the shop door. “We searched your friend, Ray Blackstone’s place. We found stacks of stolen laptops and stuff. He says you both sell through street kids. He says you know about it, and that your whole business is built on marketing stolen goods.”

“What?” Pete replies incredulously. After being interrogated, then failing a lie detector test, Ray snarls, “It was my chance to run something my own way. Pete gives me stupid stuff to do while he struts around like he’s king of the world!”

Our Father in heaven, I repent for ever having spoken falsely against another, and ask Your forgiveness. 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

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation.”

Luke 2:29-30 (NASB)

These were the words of a man who wanted to see Jesus. It was Simeon, a man to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that he would

not die until he had seen Jesus. One day the Spirit led Simeon to the temple, and it was there that he knew that he was looking at the Savior of the world!

Jesus was just a baby at the time. There were certain requirements by Jewish law that Joseph and Mary needed to fulfill at the temple in Jerusalem. Luke 2:22-23 reads: “And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’).”

Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and said, “Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace. According to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation.” What a joyous moment for Simeon, to see the Savior!

January 14, 1994, is when I first met my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By this, I mean that I put my trust in Jesus to save me from my sins, and to help me to live for Him. He saved me! What a joyous moment it was, and continues to be. It has been 30 years now that I have

been living for Jesus. Praise God for His salvation!

— 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

“Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

I often thought that I would never fall away. The Lord had strengthened me many times, and I was at peace. I loved to preach and witness to people. God had used me to lead many others to Christ. One day the missionary went on a four-month furlough and left me in charge. We had church planning meetings, and a decision was made to turn the direction of the seats. (We had been seated so that when someone came in late, we could all see who it was.) We voted to put our backs to the door.

When the missionary came back, he set up the chairs the old way. I mentioned that we had voted to change the seating. He got upset. Later, I stopped by his house to clear the air. The missionary was a good man, but always liked to be in charge. I felt I could not go back to the way it was. It all caused such problems that I left the church.

I started searching for another church. I went to many different ones, trying to find a loving church. (I sometimes even dressed weird

to check peoples’ reactions!) I found a church where the presence of God was very real, but my wife was unable to enjoy it, so we stopped attending church altogether.

I wandered aimlessly for many years. Previous to all this, I had heard stories of people leaving churches over silly reasons, such as the

color of the carpet. Even in our churches, there will be people and issues that will make our lives difficult. We must not let those situations keep us from following Christ daily, from worship and fellowship, and ministering to others. I eventually found a church where I felt loved and encouraged, and I began preaching and evangelizing again.

Lord, help us keep our focus on the things that are most important. Many stumbling blocks may get put in our path, but help us keep our eyes on You.

— Richard Knott

 

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