Getting Real III

". . .the fire of God's love . . ." is how our Native American friend recently described what he and his wife are going through with her many health challenges, as well as economic ones - as are an increasing number of people these days. How do we "get real" in such times? These Scriptures have been coming to mind:

When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. . . To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire . . . (Ex.24:15,17)

In this [coming salvation] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed . . . Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in the body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God . . . "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you . . . For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God . . . (I Peter)

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched . . . you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly . . . See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks . . . At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken . . . so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:18-29)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed, "Father, the time has come. Glorify you son, that your son may glorify you . . .". . . Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him . . . (John 16:13-17:1;19:17-18a)