Genesis 15:17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

This is from the story of God's covenant with Abraham, when Abraham split the heifer, goat, ram, dove and pigeon, and they passed between the pieces to seal this covenant.

The "Burning Lamp" symbolizes God's promise of light and truth (Jesus) to Abraham and his decendents.

The "smoking furnace" is God's promise to afflict them, so that they could learn and walk in His ways.
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I did Meth for too many years. I knew THOUSANDS of people, and they all did it too. We thought it was normal...it was for us. I was really good at it. I created quite a network of comfort. I never had a reason to quit.


But Jesus really does save. He sent a witch and He sent Demons.

God tore down my strongholds. He erased my comfort. He cut down the "groves" that hid my actions. I've said this before, but it's all too true...I needed active and literal help from an active and literal God.

Jesus was waiting, with His arms open.

You see, it wasn't love that saved me. It was affliction. I wouldn't have changed any other way. I flushed a rock as big as my thumb and laughed as I did it.
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The whole Jewish existance is based on this furnace, and God told them. Here's just one example of many.

Deut30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
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I guess my point is that "human" love isn't the answer. We should keep the commandments and encourage others to do so always.

Be it addictions, homosexuality, greed...we need to be "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight."

It's time.

Agreed. Human love alone is not the answer. Tell the truth but always with love.

We should be aware, also, that not everyone will obey the gospel. Most will reject it, but that fact shouldn't keep us from doing what God has called us to do. Millions will accept it.

Appreciated your testimony, bygjymbo. It is time and many Christians are giving the straight testimony. The reason it is having so much success, IMO, is that the truthfulness of a loving Saviour, willing to meet those who are being held captive by a devious enemy of souls, where they are and with His love held up as the major source of their deliverance, is being given its' proper place.

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 NIV

"Now when Jesus stepped out on land, there met Him a certain man out of the town who had [was possessed by] demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but in the tombs.
And when he saw Jesus, he raised a deep (terrible) cry [from the depths of his throat] and fell down before Him [in terror] and shouted loudly, What have You [to do] with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? [What have we in common?] I beg You, do not torment me!
For Jesus was already commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had snatched and held him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and fetters, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilderness (desert).
And [people] went out to see what had occurred, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right (sound) mind" Luke 8:27-29,35 AMP
Blessings!

Affliction has its source in tough love.

The divine Surgeon may have to inflict pain so as to remove the cancer that would otherwise kill us.

Gerry

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28 KJV

For one who knows God is Love, this counsel can lead to life eternal. For the one who does not know it, tough love can often elicit hatred for the One Who allowed the damage in the life of the sinful,. A reason for the redeemed to work diligently to present Christ with compassion to the worst of offenders.

"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezekiel 33:11 KJV
Blessings!