Council Fire

“Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.” Numbers 22:31 (NIV) This story of Balaam, the donkey, and the angel (Numbers 22) reminds me that God knows best and prevents many things from happening that we do not know about. On a cold morning, my family and I were preparing to leave our Saskatchewan home for Manitoba. My van started, but there was no heat, so we ended up staying home. Soon I started having chest pains. I called my daughter into the room. She started crying and called the ambulance right away. I was having a hard time breathing. I saw a very bright cloud coming towards me. I told my daughter, “I want to see Dad!” (my late husband). Well, the next thing I knew I was revived. My daughter told me that my skin had turned grey and cold. I was released from the hospital a few hours later. A few days later I got into my van and cried out to God, “Father, this is your vehicle. I can’t afford to pay any more big bills.” It seemed like God was telling me, “Turn off the fan completely, then turn the key and start it.” I started to pray, and then started it. I waited a few more minutes and then turned on the heat, and the fan started! I started crying and praising God and ran into the house. I told my daughter, “He did it again!” “Mom, what is happening?” she asked. I told her, “God fixed my van. It’s working!” She, too, was happy. If we would have gone to Manitoba that day, I probably would not be here today. Where we were to go, there were no hospitals or doctors close by. Sometimes God prevents us from dangers, whereas we do not understand why things occur the way they do. – Liz Genaille   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

“You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s womb, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this, I have no doubt.” Psalm 139:13-14 (CEV) As a child I had difficulty in seeing value in my life. I looked at other people and compared myself to them. When I didn’t think I measured up (which usually happened), I would look down on myself, thinking I was less than them. That whole thought pattern followed me into my adult years. It took a long time before I realized that I was a real somebody to God! Coming to that place brought a whole lot of changes in the way I looked at myself. I no longer saw myself as a “nothing.” I felt valuable, like I had something to offer. I wasn’t ashamed of who I was or wasn’t. Knowing Jesus made all the difference in the world! As I look back at the way I used to look at myself, I find it so different from my self-evaluation of today. I try to look at myself and see the person God made me to be, rather than the comparisons that I once used to base my self-worth on. I thank the Lord for the transformation He brought into my life. Dear God, thank You for how You’ve helped me see myself as worthwhile and valuable! Help me to never forget that! 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

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” Romans 1:20a. (NIV) Do you ever regret the choices you’ve made? Do you wonder if God exists and, if so, why you are in such a mess? Has a self-proclaimed Christian ever wounded you or led you astray? My faith turned to rubble in 1990. I sifted through broken dreams and shattered trust, trying to find a solid foothold, but I kept slipping on fear, anger, confusion and shame. I lay on the floor crying out to God. I felt like I had a spiritual flu; I felt too heartsick to get up and function. I had always tried to perform well and be a good Christian—only to discover how miserably I had been deceived and how terribly I had failed God and my family. Then, God gave me a different focus. I heard His gentle voice say, “Look at who I am.” I remembered Romans 1:20 and wanted to see Christ’s nature and character. I began with the spectacular northern lights. The bush around me felt like a comforting blanket. I watched the beaver, birds, squirrels, and the occasional bear. I baked cookies and thought of all the foods, herbs and spices God gave us to enjoy. He is artistic, generous, imaginative, and has a funny sense of humor. He created laughter and romance. If you are ever discouraged, look around and realize that He did not have to give us any of what you see. Even if you are in an unpleasant place, look at yourself with your beating heart and know that He has an amazing plan for you. Lord, help each of us to look at who You are through what You have made. You are greater than any failure or any wound. – 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

“Fear not, for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10a (NKJV) The phrase “Fear not” appears in the Bible many times, more than any other phrase. It is strange that God has to remind us constantly not to be afraid. The Almighty God of the Universe loves us, and yet we are constantly afraid of a thousand things that might or might not happen. We need constant assurance that God loves us and is watching over us. When my children were small, I would often hold them on my lap and read the Bible to them. We lived on a farm in Oklahoma and there were thunderstorms and tornadoes. One stormy night I was reading the Bible to my children and read, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock...” At that very moment there was a blinding flash of lightning and thunder shook the whole house. My four-year-old son said, “Mom, I think Jesus is knocking on our door and you’d better let Him come in because He sounds mad!” There is a lot to fear in the world—fires and floods, earthquakes, crime, tornadoes and hurricanes, disease and car accidents. The world can be a dangerous place. Every time we walk out the door, we risk not returning. We have plenty of reasons to be fearful, and one reason not to be fearful. God. God holds us in the hollow of His hand. He loves us. He doesn’t want us to be fearful or worried. He wants us to rest in Him, trust Him, and enjoy life. “The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid” Psalm 118:6a (NIV). “The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore” (Luke 12:7a, KJV). “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John 14:27b (NIV). God, forgive me when I worry about small things. Forgive me for not trusting You to take care of me. – Crying Wind   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

“Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling, there shall be no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your tent.” Psalm 91:9-10 (MEV) Because of my early life experiences, I carried fear into my adult life. As a young Christian, I did not realize that the enemy would use these fears against me. Often when alone, I would hear someone walking in the other room and, at night, I would see ugly faces in the windows. However, it was the evil presence I could feel around me that scared me the most. A young summer missionary was living in our home at the time and noticed that I was struggling. He asked me if he could share my problem with the pastor and ask his advice. I said, “Sure.” A few nights later the pastor and my sister and her husband came over to pray with me. God delivered me from the influence of the enemy that night. The pastor encouraged me to fast, pray and commit scripture to memory. I chose Psalm 91. I was intrigued by the first verse: “I live within the shadow of the Almighty.” God was standing over me, and I stood safe in His presence. Every verse in this psalm made me feel more secure in God’s care. However, verses 9 and 10 held a special promise for me after I learned that “The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). This experience taught me that I need to know God’s Word and become familiar with His promises to be ready for my fight with “unseen forces in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Dear God, help me to remember that You are always with me and I do not have to face the enemy alone. Help me to remember that our enemy is an ever-present threat who comes to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). – Theresa Bose   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

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (NIV) Sending us to Sunday school that first year prompted my mom to celebrate Christmas—something I didn’t remember doing before. As she decorated the small tree, I asked her who God is. Her reply was simple, and something I have never forgotten. “God is someone who will never let you down. He will always be there for you.” She had been raised in the Catholic faith and sent to residential school. For her to know that and trust God was truly a gift for me and my siblings. It reminds me of Jesus’ promise to never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). I remember hearing the account of the angel appearing to the shepherds. The Bible says the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. The angel told them the good news about Jesus being born in the city of David, how they would find him in a manger. Then heavenly hosts appeared and praised God, giving Him glory, and saying peace on earth for men. The Christmas songs described a beautiful scene and powerful words about Jesus being born. The star over Bethlehem, leading the three wise men to Him—all these vivid descriptions thrilled my young heart! The fact that our Lord and Savior was born in a stable gave me a humble heart and love toward Him. I really believe it also laid the foundation of how I would always want to celebrate Christmas, remembering it as the recognition of Jesus’s birth. I love to sing the Christmas hymns. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for your gift of life through Your Son Jesus. – Loretta Oppenheim   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

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.” Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) I’m saying “good-bye” to a gospel musician friend of mine today. We’ll be singing a few songs at his wake, and then the funeral is tomorrow. I’m really going to miss the guy! I’ll remember him as one who lived his life victoriously. Attending a funeral brings to mind our own mortality—something that most of us try to avoid thinking about until the harsh reality of it slaps us in the face. Like the milk carton in your fridge, you and I have an “expiry date.” The biggest difference is that we usually don’t know when that date is. All we can be sure of is what God’s Word tells us in the above scripture. In other words, in this limited earthly timeframe, we are accountable for how we live our lives. It kind of puts life in perspective when we look at things that way. Unlike your milk carton with an expiry date, we might not know when our time is done here, but we need to make sure that we are ready to meet God after that. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (NKJV) Settling things with God is something we need to look after in our time here on earth, not just “hope for the best” after our life here is over. God is so good! – 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

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV) The bell had just rung at the elementary school. Recess was over, and it was time to go in. As I was one of the supervisors on duty, I assisted and followed the students going in, chattering playfully, and continuing to visit with their little friends. Except for two little girls. I noticed there was an issue, so I went over and knelt down to speak with them to find out the problem. They both eagerly spoke at the same time almost in tears, as one was not wanting to be a friend anymore. After a very brief intervention on my part, as we didn’t have much time, I watched as both girls walked away hand in hand—no more tears, just in total friendship again, giggling happily as they rushed to their classroom. Not only did this quick change of heart surprise me, but I realized that we as adults can learn a lot from children. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could forgive as easily, and continue to love one another as God’s Word has commanded? I have learned that forgiving is a gift to myself and allows peace of mind. It is so much easier to let go and let God. Father in heaven, help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. – Hazel 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

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:28 (KJV) My memories of my mother are good ones that I will treasure forever! I remember how us kids were the apple of her eye. Everything she did revolved around her family. She always looked forward to Christmas and other holidays when the kids and grandkids would come home. She’d orchestrate huge meals, and nobody ever went hungry at her place! She’d cry for happiness when we came, and she’d cry again out of loneliness when we left (she’d start missing us a day before we were ready to leave!). When Mom came to Jesus, it was also the start of a spiritual journey for each of us in the family. She passed her life teaching and being an example of faith to all of us kids. She loved the Lord so much and she never turned back from following Him. Mom was real hard of hearing and, when it was time for devotions, she’d take her hearing aids out and tune out everything. She would read her Bible in peace while the whole house listened to her reading. I sure miss hearing that! God really blessed Mom in her faithfulness to Him. She was a beautiful godly lady who drew respect from everyone who knew her. I know this sounds like a eulogy, but these are my memories of a lady that truly knew what it meant to live a life for Jesus. We sure miss you, Mom! Dear Lord, thank You for my mother! In Jesus’ name, 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

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29 There are about 23,000 varieties of orchids. God must have been smiling while He designed these flowers. Some look like butterflies and others like braying donkeys with big ears. The flying duck orchid entices an insect to land on its scented head and then flips the visitor onto its back so that it picks up the pollen before moving on. The Lilliputian orchid is smaller than a pin, while a Cattleya species grows in huge clumps high up in the trees of Venezuela. Some orchids look like a bushy-bearded hillbilly, and caterpillars like to crawl through the beard to pick up pollen for the next flower. Hummingbirds pollinate a little orange gnome looking character with a big hat. They find the nectar in the flower’s mouth. An ugly black orchid that looks and smells like a female wasp is pollinated by a male wasp. Madagascar has a white orchid that holds its nectar at the end of a foot-long spur. Scientists looked for years to find out what bird or insect could pollinate such a flower. They finally saw a huge moth with a foot-long proboscis that could unroll to drink the nectar. The Peruvian bucket orchid doesn’t look pretty, but it has an ingenious design. The insect lands on the scented, waxy lip; it then slips off into a bowl of liquid. Unable to fly out, it swims down to a little trap door and, as it wiggles through, it picks up a bead of pollen for the next flower. Isn’t God amazing? Dearest Lord, what a wonder You are! Thank You for displaying Your handiwork all around us so that we can better see who You are. Open our eyes so that we can better see You. – 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

“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” Psalm 145:13B (NIV) We need to be spending time in God’s Word every day, claiming all these promises. It’s a gold mine, and they are there for us to claim! Sometimes we tend to get discouraged and, for some reason, we choose to stay there. But if we get into the Word, it becomes hard to stay discouraged! I remember there was a time when I was so hurt and discouraged that I found it next to impossible to read and pray, until I realized that I was just hurting myself more, and not having peace and forgiveness in my heart. I was letting the enemy win! So, I didn’t stay in that rut. I climbed out, with the Lord’s help, of course. Sometimes when we pray, we wonder, “Does He even hear me?” or “Why doesn’t He answer my prayers?” That’s when we need to find the promises in the Word that pertain to what we are going through and make them ours. Keep praying and keep trusting! As we get into the Word, it makes us better equipped to do His will, and better able to stand against what the enemy might throw at us. It helps us to be better able to help our children and to help others. Sometimes what we go through can be a real help to others. Usually, we think we’re the only ones going through this hard time, but that is truly not so. I would encourage you to read through the Bible in a year. As you read, at times the words just pop out to you, and it seems just what you need at that time. When these words and promises jump out at you, write them down, believe them and use them in your everyday walk. My main point is to read God’s Word . . . so you can claim the promises! It’s God’s love letter to you! – Pat Hall   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 they shall call His name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23b (KJV) “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Matthew 2:6 (KJV) Many years before Christ came into the world as a baby, God had promised through the prophets that He would send a Messiah—a Savior—for the people, because they needed a way to get right with God. He told them that He would be born in Bethlehem, which was — at that time—a small town about six miles from Jerusalem. There must have been many who knew what the Scriptures said, and some were actually waiting for Christ to come. But for the most part they were not concerned about it, as we see in the case of the priests and scribes that Herod spoke to. Even though they were told about a King being born in Bethlehem, the Scriptures do not tell us that any were concerned or excited about it. The Bible doesn’t tell us that any of them were interested in making a short trip to find out if this was the One that their forefathers had been waiting for over the years. It did not seem to cause any excitement in the community at all. However, it was different with the people who asked Herod where Messiah was to be born. These men had come many miles from the East in a caravan to worship Christ. We can understand unbelief—as we see many in our day that are not concerned about the second coming of Christ, even though they have heard that He is coming again. Lord, we pray that we will all take Your coming back seriously and be ready to meet You. – 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

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) I remember Deuteronomy 6:7 from the early years that my husband and I came to the Lord. It says, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, when you rise up.” (NKJV) However, we were so busy being discipled and helping with the church planting of the Vancouver Native Fellowship that we failed to focus on teaching our own children as we were being taught. Children need to be taught, not left to their own devices. And more importantly, we need to reflect Jesus to them. So, when I had the privilege of raising four of my grandchildren, we read the Bible with them every night (a Children’s Bible). It had questions to answer at the end of each reading. It was a special time for all of us. As adults, my children and grandchildren have faith and believe in prayer. It wasn’t an easy task teaching our own children, even after dedicating them to the Lord. Things were moving so fast with both our lives in the Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon programs, and the growing fellowship that began in our home and then at the Vancouver Indian Centre. I will always be a strong advocate for teaching little children about Jesus, telling them how He came as a baby, grew into a man who performed miracles, died on the cross and rose again from the dead so we can have victory over sin and Satan. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that your Word does not come back void. Thank you for your promise to save and defend our children. – Loretta Oppenheim   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

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as His own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15 (NLT) In 2010, the opportunity arose for me to visit Israel and, of course, I jumped on that chance. My two aunties and cousin and I were ready to visit a place we had only read about in God’s Word! We were waking up one beautiful morning at a hotel near the Dead Sea and decided to go for breakfast. Although we were able to visit many neat locations that are mentioned in God’s Word, for some reason what I heard that morning while having breakfast touched my heart. As I was sitting with my family for breakfast, I overheard a young boy speak a word that I had only heard about in the Bible. I turned around and he was calling his dad. He said, “Abba!” The young boy was calling his dad! It touched my heart so deeply. I grew up without a dad. When I was four years old, he was killed. How I longed to have a father. I never got to know what it was like to grow up with a dad and call him “Dad.” When I see pictures of my dad, it is clear that I look a lot like him. At 20 years of age, I put my faith in Jesus Christ and have followed Him since. I will be 50 years old this year. It is clear to me, as I have been learning, that even though I grew up without a father, that having put my faith in Jesus, I do have a father! . . . a heavenly Father! It is God, who I can call “Abba!” . . . which means “daddy” in Hebrew. He is a Father who loves me unconditionally, totally, consistently— who will never leave me or forsake me. How beautiful it is to know Him. – 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 us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NIV) I went for an eye exam the other day—my first time since 1994. I thought I should make sure that it was okay for me to drive without glasses. I guess it was, ’cuz I passed! It got me to thinking about the conditions and stipulations we have on our driver’s licenses. Ken Antone (of the Antone Indian Family singers) used to laugh about the “No food within reach” condition on his driver’s license, saying “They just know me!” Other conditions I’ve seen include prohibitions about night driving, TV in the driver’s sight line, cell phone usage, seatbelts, medications, etc.—all intended to keep us focused on driving safe. When it comes to our spiritual calling, we need to recognize that there are things that can distract and hinder us in that area also. If we allow them to, they’ll bring us down. Whether it be poor financial decisions, COVID-19 pandemic over-focus, listening to bad advice, discouragement, unresolved grief or sinful choices, there are things that will derail us. “Everything that hinders” can mean something different for each of us, but the end result is the same. If we let it go unchecked, it will drag us down. Hang in there and “drive safe!” – 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

“We who are powerful need to be patient with the weakness of those who don’t have power, and not please ourselves.” Romans 15:1 (CEB) Moose hunting requires a hunter to be patient and to not be discouraged. It is about wind direction, body scent, camouflage, how to push a moose out of the bush and, most of all, have a careful aim. Moose are very large animals and have very thick hides, so you need to ensure that if you are going to harvest a moose, you need to make sure that your kill shot is very accurate. But the most important thing in harvesting a moose is patience. The Scripture verse above (Romans 15:1) reminds us to be patient with others. It would be easy to be patient if everyone did everything according to your plans. The true test God has given you is being patient with those who you find challenging. Patience creates perseverance. We always want to get things done quickly, but we all know that when we start rushing anything in life, it never works. We are probably doing more damage in anything we are trying to achieve. We know who is always in control and always has patience with us, and his name is Jesus. He is very powerful over everything to the weakness that we represent. If you want to learn patience, learn from the Teacher of patience. He never gives up on us. He doesn’t rush us to achieve what He feels is important to our lives. He would be a good moose hunting partner because He can teach us the skill of patience that we need daily in our lives. It is pleasing to Him to know that we use Him as our example to slow down when we are in a hurry trying to be successful. Patience is a virtue. – Kirby James   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 whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25 (NKJV) She (we’ll call her Sarah) and her friend Maya have been close chums since elementary school. They were more like sisters than friends. Then Sarah finds out that Maya has ditched her for a new crowd. Sarah is hurt. Angry. And vows to spread nasty rumors about her “friend” to avenge the betrayal! Sarah’s inner voice—which is the way God sometimes speaks to us—tells her to open her Bible. Sarah searches the concordance at the back of the Bible for the word “forgive.” It takes her to Matthew 6:14, which says, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (NKJV) Sarah quickly looks up the word “trespass” on her laptop. The antiquated definition means “to wrong somebody.” She keeps reading, then raises her eyes. “So, unless I forgive Maya, God won’t forgive me, either. Besides, could there be some reason Maya is avoiding me?” Even the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:12 says, “And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. (NKJV)” “Sounds like God won’t forgive the unforgiver,” she accepts with a sigh. “But I’ll call Maya anyhow and chew her out first!” Just then her phone rings: “It’s me, Maya. How about lunch tomorrow? My Oklahoma cousins are in town, and they’re dying to meet you!” “Cousins? Uh—sure,” Sara agrees. After hanging up, tears cloud her eyes. “Thank you, Father God, for Maya’s call. I would have done a terrible thing without even giving my closest friend a chance to explain!” Gracious and loving Father God, thank You for Your goodness, forgiveness and grace through the Perfect Sacrifice, your precious Son, Jesus, in whose Name we pray. 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

“Let birds fly … across the vault of the sky.” Genesis 1:20b (NIV) One day when I was walking in the woods, I found a tiny baby bird hopping around in the grass. I gently picked him up and looked at the huge oak tree that appeared to have a bird’s nest near the top. There was no way to get the baby bird back to its nest, so I took it home with me. The bird was old enough to have black pin feathers and I thought it might be a raven, so I named him Edgar after Edgar Allen Poe. I bought a cage and toys and birdseed. He would sit on my finger and eat out of my hand. He would chirp when I came into the room. I discovered he was not a raven—he was a crow, but I continued to call him “Edgar,” after Mr. Poe’s raven. On sunny days, I would carry his cage out to the patio so he could enjoy the sunshine and fresh air and the songs of the other birds. He had more than tripled in size and was a full-grown crow now. One day when I went out to feed him, he was out of his cage—he had pushed the door on his cage open. He was sitting on the patio table. I put my hand out and he hopped onto my finger. I could put him back into the cage and keep him, but he needed to be with other birds. He needed his freedom, and he needed a mate. “Goodbye, Edgar, it was nice knowing you,” I said, and brushed him off my finger. He took flight and flew to the top of a pine tree. He hesitated only a few seconds and then fl ew away. I turned my back on him. I didn’t want him to see the tears in my eyes. Thank you, Lord, for all the wonderful creatures you made, especially birds who fly across the heavens like angels. – Crying Wind   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

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2 (NLT) These verses are meaningful to me as a follower of Christ because, when I sin, not only does Jesus forgive me when I ask Him, but I also belong to Him! Although this does not give me permission to keep on deliberately sinning, He has freed me from the power of sin because of His Spirit in me. His Spirit causes me to be convicted of sin and aware of what is wrong and what is right. There was a time I remember, just a few days after I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and make me clean, that I became more aware of my choice of words. At school, my combination lock was not reading my numbers—or was I just mixing them up? I was late for class and getting impatient. Next thing I knew, I swore. Wow, I felt and knew that this wasn’t a word I should be using. I wouldn’t have cared before, but I just didn’t feel right in continuing to use this offensive language. In all honesty, there are times that I fail and continue to sin. But immediately I confess it and ask God to forgive me. At times guilt has still hovered over me, and I kept asking God to forgive me. Usually, Satan will try to keep us from trusting that God has the power to forgive our sin. Then I came upon this verse in Romans 8:1, and how liberating it was to read it! “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” As a child of God, there is no condemnation—I have been forgiven! – 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

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19 (NIV) Several years ago, I worked on a packer boat. We transferred west coast salmon from fish collectors to the cannery. In the bay one day the captain gave orders to lower the ship’s anchor. Down went the anchor, then followed the chain, and then the cable. The anchor picked up speed, so the captain said to apply the brake to slow it down, but the brake failed. Down went the anchor, picking up speed. Then, to our surprise, the end of the cable disappeared from sight! The cable was not secured. We lost the anchor, chain, and cable. We had to head back to the dock—a ship must have an anchor. That anchor still lies on the bottom of the ocean 54 years later. God cannot lie when He says something. This is a great help to us who have come to God for safety. It encourages us to hold on to the hope that is ours. This hope is like an anchor, strong and keeping us safe. It goes behind the curtain. Jesus has already entered there and opened the way for us. He has become our high priest forever (Hebrews 6), interceding for us. Jesus is our hope and anchor and will keep us in the midst of life’s storms. Unlike a ship’s anchor, His anchor will not fail. A time will come when He will call all believers to that blessed place He has prepared for us, a time will come when all our storms will cease. For now, when trouble comes, we must be steadfast in the faith and trust God. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, be encouraged to do it right now. Knowing Jesus as Lord is the true remedy for peace in the midst of your storm. – Terry Hall   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