Prepare-for-War

indeed already kindled when Jesus was here on earth. Everywhere He went He was hated because His very pre sence convicted everyone of their sin. The religious leaders hated Jesus most of all when they should have loved and welcomed Him most. Why? Because of the sin in their lives. The same is true today. Those who should most wel come the fire of God to consume the sin in their lives, wel come it the least. They serve God in their own strength and for their own gain. We must ask Jesus to baptize us with fire. We must get on our faces before the Lord and ask Him to burn away all that is not pleasing to Him. Believe me, this is a very painful experience, but we cannot serve the Lord without it. The baptism of fire should be just as evident in our lives as the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, any supposed manifestations of the power of God through our ministry are a deception. We cannot have the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives without first having the fire of the Holy Spirit. The day of judgment is fast approaching. The works of every child of God will be put to the test. "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath sur prised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?" Isaiah 33:14

"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he him self shall be saved yet so as by fire." I Corinthians 3:13-15.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.'' II Corinthians 5:10 How much better is it for us to be baptized with fire while

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