Psalm 68:6 - Baptized By Fire

Step 1: Pray. Select.

Today, I thought about God not giving me brothers and sisters; I am an only child. However, I have many friends and a wonderful family, so I am definitely not alone.

At one point, I wasn’t sure if I would have a family or children, but God restored all to me. I have to admit, for the first time in my life, I am mature enough to look at my friends and family and say, without a doubt, we are not meant to walk through life alone. In my youth, I questioned whether or not it was better to let people in, but after going through the deep valleys of life, I am so thankful I am surrounded by people I genuinely love, and I believe they love me back. They are the reflections and reminders of God’s unwavering love each and every day.

I came across Psalm 68 in my reading today as I pondered the importance of friends and family.

Psalms 68:6 was where the Holy Spirit landed my heart today.

Let’s begin our journey, friends!

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Psalm 68:6 - God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity, But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• God Sets The Solitary In Families

• Rebellious Dwell

• In Dry Land

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, make sure to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, God sets the solitary in families, rebellious dwell in dry land.

Step 4: Visualize

As I close my eyes and picture my sentence for the day, I see a large, square, white industrial building in the middle of a barren land. Looking down from overhead, I see people in two lines formed to get into the doors. The lines go as far as the eye can see and beyond. I don't know where they end.

The people are dirty from sandstorms and have little to eat or drink. As my point of view changes to a floor-level stance, I can hear music from inside the building. Now that I am on the ground amongst the people in line, I can see they are lifting their hands in the air. Some are crying, and some praise God, singing words that match the music coming from inside.

It is like everyone knows every word of every song even though this is their first time hearing this music. But how? Where are they all coming from.

There are two doorways made of glass. As each person walks up to the door, they are so thankful they made it and it is not full inside. The funny thing is, somehow, it is never full inside. What appeared to be a rectangle or square industrial building from above, enclosed by four walls, looks very different from the inside. Once you step foot inside, there are no boundaries. Just endless people everywhere singing and praising. I decide to step inside myself, and as I do, I realize there is no band but solely light up ahead.

No one cares about who is wearing what, how they got there, or where they came from; they just care about standing there and praising God. Whatever it is that each person brought into this place from inside of them, as they sing, it is as if they light on fire and burn off anything that is not pure or not created by their creator. You might go into this place with things attached, but you come out free.

I decided to stop for a beat and ask the Holy Spirit in Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, what are the things attached to the people, and what happens after they are burned up and released into the atmosphere?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

“The things that are attached are not really attached at all. The people think they have become a part of the things they carry, but actually just need to burn or starve the thing that lives like a parasite in their thoughts to rid it from them forever. Once they step into this room, the burning glory of God is too much for these things, so they are sacrificed and disintegrated. There is no fear in this room. There is no shame in this room. There is no depression in this room. There is no comparison to others in this room. Only one light carries the glory, and every other burden is light. This is the place where Jesus once walked with his disciples. It is not the physical space but the mental space. It is a room filled with peace. It is a room filled with love—a room filled with forgiveness.”

I have another question:

• Holy Spirit, why do people enter, but I don’t see anyone leave or go back to their lives?

“They do go back. They just exit from a different place than they came. You don’t recognize them when you pass them on the street. At one point, the same people you surround yourself with came in here and were remade and renamed. You have also been here before. This is the place in which you changed. This is the place where you were baptized by fire. It is what God has been doing for eternity. When people walk in here, they are looking for a family, and when they walk out, they are dressed in love and clothed in kingdom, so you can’t tell they are the same. The Holy Spirit dwells here. Outside, the enemy dwells like a dog, not allowed to live inside the castle walls, begging for bones when there are endless vineyards and living water here. This is a well. This is where you drink from a rock, which does not move. It is steadfast. Once you know about this place, you will never thirst again, and the battles outside seem insignificant to who you are today. Take a moment to rest here today. You have been walking for quite a while. Take a moment to just sit and praise God for the fact you made it and will never be the same again. There is no rush, just glory and infinite peace so you will be rested for your mission ahead.”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Today is a day of rest, my friends. Please take a moment to know that if you are reading this right now, we are meeting in this special place ordained for a time such as this and are a part of this amazing, fantastic family of the LORD. It is comforting to know we are not alone and will never be again.

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Friends, there is so much beauty in just sitting and praising the LORD. We don't have to think about more; we just need to glorify him and know that, as we do, he is burning off the things that we are not meant to carry.

Cheers to being baptized by fire! May we be restored, renewed, and renamed for our purpose-filled life ahead.

God bless, and see you tomorrow!