Christ and a firefighter

Today my brother Bob Ortega was buried. We served as elders in a small church, Calvary Chapel of Frazier Park. For me it was a sad day. I know that many will say Bob is with the Lord and that we should rejoice and praise the Lord. Yet, for me it is a sad day. Bob was a firefighter. Many believe that he lost his life the day he entered a vessel to save two men who had been welding inside. He found the two men dead from toxic fumes. Soon afterwards, Bob began to experience loss of muscle and motor control. His voice once strong became weak. He soon found that he had Lou Gerhig’s disease. He lived and fought for 4 years. He lived longer than most who suffer from this disease. During this time, the church spent many days praying and sharing the things that come with the thoughts of mortality. Today, this season in life has ended. A man who shared in the brotherhood Christ has left this world forever. I mention this thought, the brotherhood of Christ, because that was the message that I heard today. The pastor, the fire chaplain, and the fire captain spoke nothing of the brotherhood that we have in Christ. The pastor and the chaplain spoke of Bob’s love for our Lord. They spoke of the things that must always be preached at this time. They asked all do you know Christ. They asked all do you know that you must make a choice. Many heard the gospel today. But how many heard Him? This is a sad day for me. The fire captain finished the service with a poem. The poem spoke of men who willingly give their life for men, women, and children they don’t know. The poem spoke of the experiences common to firefighters. Thoughts were painted of suffering from lungs filled with smoke. Thoughts were painted of men, courageous men, entering a wild and unknown situations. The poem spoke of the smiles and the praise that these humble men experience from the child they just saved. The poem ended with the ringing of a bell. Ten times, bells all over Los Angeles rang today in honor of a fireman who has answered his last call. The captain spoke of the glory that all fireman share in the brotherhood of man. The words, the glory of the brotherhood of man, rang in my ears this day. This Scripture comes to mind because of these words that were spoken today. 15 \tAs for man, his days are like grass;\tAs a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 \tFor the wind passes over it, and it is gone,\tAnd its place remembers it no more. The glory of the brotherhood of man will not be remembered, the thoughts that were shared today will fade just like all who remain in the brotherhood of man. This consolation I have. My brother Bob also shared in the brotherhood of Christ. The glory that is shared in the brotherhood of Christ will never diminish. It will never decrease. It can only increase.Psa. 103:1 \tBless the LORD, O my soul;\tAnd all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 \tBless the LORD, O my soul,\tAnd forget not all His benefits: 3 \tWho forgives all your iniquities,\tWho heals all your diseases, 4 \tWho redeems your life from destruction,\tWho crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 \tWho satisfies your mouth with good things,\tSo that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.How many, how many will come to give his or her life as my brother Bob did for men he didn’t know. How many are there who will come to give their life to Christ as my brother Bob did. How many will count all things lost concerning this life. How many will be renewed and soar with the eagle’s in the brotherhood of Christ? I’ll miss my brother Bob in this life. In ChristJeff

After a day of reflection this too has been cemented in my mind. I had never been around groups of firemen. I have seen the movies that portray the character of firemen but yesterday I witnessed it for myself. In this solemn occasion I saw unity amongst the brotherhood of men. This unity comes from sharing time together. It comes from risking their lives for what they have been trained for. These men dedicate their lives to the mission that they have voluntarily taken on. And by living the life of a fireman, according to the training and then the execution of their job, they have become one in the brotherhood of man.So they glory in the brotherhood of man, and all is accomplished by there own efforts. They are a proud and wonderful class of men. Their hearts rejoice in the brotherhood of men. They truly love to be recognized as firemen. My question then comes to the brotherhood of Christ. Do we rejoice in the "life" that has been freely given to us? We are given all things in Christ Jesus our Lord. Do our lives reflect the glory of our Savior? Do we cherish Christ as a fireman cherishes his job? Is our life being conformed into the image of the brotherhood of Christ? If a man can be conformed into the image of a fireman, why is the glory of Christ not conforming those who profess Him as Savior?In ChristJeff

To become a fireman, one must go through a rigous time of training. During this time, those that have gone before have now the responsibility to impart the knowledge that has enabled them to become, to be, a fireman. During the course of training, the science of the nature of fire is taught. Fire is both the enemy and the source by which all firemen grow in similitude of one another. The forces of fire creates the law that men are brought into submission of this force. Men are taught the means by which they may overcome these forces. If they adhere to the wisdom that others have learned through fighting fire, they too will become firemen. They too will live to pass on the wisdom that they have learned. The path that they have traveled has become for them the life saving experience that now must be passed on to the next generation of firemen. Paul warns the Corinthian church:1Cor. 4:14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Paul says imitate me. Paul says that he is sending Timothy to remind them of "my ways in Christ..." Where are the fireman of this generation?In ChristJeff

Jeff,My thought's and prayers are with you. You have brought out many parallels and much to reflect on.Men are taught the means by which they may overcome these forces. If they adhere to the wisdom that others have learned through fighting fire, they too will become firemen. They too will live to pass on the wisdom that they have learned. The path that they have traveled has become for them the life saving experience that now must be passed on to the next generation of firemen. How succinctly this applies to the Brethren.Your friend Bob, what an incredible example, no, strike that, it sounds so trite in this instance...Make that life. He understood this by his life more than could be expressed;Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Understanding the comparative of your earlier thoughts as to brotherhood of man and that of the Lord and laying down one's life... Hope this makes sense, but he did both.

Thankyou Brother Mike.In ChristJeff

Matthew 5:11"...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."This is a promise that has been given by God to the bride of Christ. Through the supernatural power of God we too are subjected to the force of fire. As we have seen that the brotherhood of men, in the work of a fireman, are subjected to forces of fire we too should look for the refining work of the Holy Spirit in our time of training. For Paul has written:Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. In this Scripture we learn that there is a time of training, and then a time to do the work. As the fireman must first learn from others that have gone before, we too must learn from Him because He has gone before us.Heb. 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. The brotherhood of Christ has much more to offer those who are refined by the fire.In ChristJeff

Dear Jeff,I don't know why it has taken me this long to read your post. Your thinking is deep and really makes one think. So many of your thoughts/convictions are the same as my own, but i don't have the words for them. As you said the words "brotherhood of man" rung in your years. It is this type of thing that the Lord causes me to pause and ponder on what is not "of Him". What looks good and right and respectable in others eyes, but is not what the Lord is looking for. I hope this is making sense and I have not taken what you've said wrongly.There is something just imbedded in my soul that stands at attention for anything that is not "of Him" but may be mistaken for being His.I have a hard time explaining what I mean but just know it in my heart.I am so glad that your friend is with Jesus. I thank you for your thoughtfulness about this whole situation. It is worth pondering on.As the fireman must first learn from others that have gone before, we too must learn from Him because He has gone before us.In Him, Chanin

Sister Chanin wrote:So many of your thoughts/convictions are the same as my own, but i don't have the words for them. One who struggles, one who asks, one who knocks will find Him. This "life" we have will bring us into the unity that is in Christ and the Father. This is a spiritual precept. This is Jesus' desire for His children that we become one in Him as He is one in the Father. Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.Amen Sis.In ChristJeff

The brotherhood of firemen and the brotherhood of Christ have much in common in the beginning of their training. They both have no understanding of the forces of fire. In the realm of what is seen, men learn from another man more experienced then himself. This experienced fireman has felt the heat of the fire. He has inhaled the products of combustion. He has seen the destruction of life and property in this world. He is a valuble asset to those who have chosen to become firemen and have entered into training. Likewise in the brotherhood of Christ we find that in God's kingdom He also has established men as father's of the church. These men have also been trained by the fire. The father of a church has felt the heat of the fire. However, the source of the products of combustion are different in nature. The fire of God will burn away the old man that is in him. This man will also experience the destruction of life and all things he once held close to his heart. There exists a stark contrast between a man who is trained to be only a member in the brotherhood of men and a man who has entered into the brotherhood of Christ. The fire that can be seen will always destroy sooner or later those who only know the brotherhood of man. Those who have been destroyed by the fire of God will only and always have Christ as his brother. In ChristJeff

What does one experience, what should one expect to learn during the time of training in the brotherhood of Christ? Paul teaches that the examples given to us in the OT Scripture are for our benefit that we should learn from them. Listen to his teaching.1Cor. 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. In the book of Exodus we are given an example of training of those who will go after us. In chapter 17 we are given the story of the battle against the Amalekites. Joshua is the general leading the battle. Moses, Aaron, and Hur are on the mountain top praying for God's provisions. God speaks to Moses in this way. Ex. 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” Here God has given the responsibility to Moses to be a teacher to Joshua. By what means is this task to be accomplished? God says to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua..." I believe this example is given to us so that we too must recount the testimonies of God's work in man by sharing the word of God with all of those who seek to be a member of the brotherhood of Christ. The fire that is from heaven is stored up in the word of God. This fire begins to burn in the hearts of those who submit to the training. Listen to the testimony of its power in Hebrews 4.12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. One who submits to the power of the word of God will experience the refining fire of God. The apprentice, the babe in Christ will begin to experience the call of God in his heart. He will be shown the intents of his own heart. The word of God will convict those intents which are of the old man. The word of God will fill his heart with the intents or unctions that are of God. The babe in Christ will begin to praise Him who has begun to train him in the path that he must go. The word of God will cause the babe in Christ to hold onto that which is good. The babe in Christ will begin to thirst for His righteousness. The babe in Christ begins to understand the forces of the heavenly fire.But all of this is just the beginning of the training. The word of God is the key that opens the door to His sanctuary. In ChristJeff

Brother Jeff, i empathize with you in your pain of not having your friend here with you any longer, as true friends are most rare as the outpouring of your heart surely attests ... In times such as this when i'm feeling loss of a fellow joint heir who has gone on before me i always counter my sadness of thought in the reality that whomever has gone on home ain't thinking one sad thought whatsoever anymore, and i doubt most seriously is thinking about me, or anything else back here on this low plain at all ... In my feeble imaginings i try to picture just what the actual seeing of God in all His glory, surrounded by such we can't even begin to comprehend, must really be like ... Your friend is sad no more and i hope you will take solace in that ... It's said that out of bad things come some good and in this case it difinetly has to be the "word" that's coming from Him thru you regarding this ... i'm being completely blown away by the anology ... i love the questions, because when one honestly answers it give one insight to things one would have never even concidered without them ... Case in point it was thru a series of questions that our Lord revealed to me that the thing i love more than anything else, even if there was no money involved, was to talk about Him ... i would never have known this had He not posed a series of questions via an earthly servant ... Here are a few things you wrote that jumped up in my spirit ...Quote:"Their hearts rejoice in the brotherhood of men. They truly love to be recognized as firemen"That instantly made me think in regards your "brotherhood of Christ" do we truly love to be recognized as Christians? ... i remember when i didn't, and can certainly see now why my life was at a dead standstill, and prayer next to useless ... Jesus said, "If you (love to) confess my name before men, then I'll (love to) confess your name before the Father"Quote:"To become a fireman, one must go through a rigous time of training. During this time, those that have gone before have now the responsibility to impart the knowledge that has enabled them to become, to be, a fireman". "Those who have gone before" in the spiritual reminds me of Rom.11:16 ... "For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches" ... Spiritual elders know what the deal is, they know the routine, but are also most keenly aware that the routine must never be treated as such ... Eternal diligence is a must ... Watching, praying, exhorting and admonishing via the Word is the job of all of us who are further along in the training of the "fire" in brotherhood of Christ against the "fire" of powers and principalities ...Matt.26[41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.Mark.13[33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.Acts.20[31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.1Thes.5[6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.You also asked:Quote: "Where are todays firemen"? ... God knows where His firemen are ...Quote:"The brotherhood of firemen and the brotherhood of Christ have much in common in the beginning of their training. They both have no understanding of the forces of fire.In the realm of what is seen, men learn from another man more experienced then himself. Likewise in the brotherhood of Christ we find that in God's kingdom He also has established men as father's of the church. These men have also been trained by the fire. The father of a church has felt the heat of the fire. However, the source of the products of combustion are different in nature. The fire of God will burn away the old man that is in him. This man will also experience the destruction of life and all things he once held close to his heart ...Amen ... and just like with a literal fireman a spiritual fireman should too have a spirit of self sacrifice, but i find that not so much the case on the spiritual end, of which i use my self as example ... What i've aquired thus far of my spirit of "self" sacrifice for Christ's saving of others thru me i can only attribute to Him ... My love of "self" and my "self centeredness" in the past has caused Holy Spirit much grief, and much quenching of Him on my part for Him to have gotten me where i am today ... i still am somewhat dumbfounded that not only has He chosen me in His service, but that He's put up with my nonsence for so long, but all praises to His mercy i'm now a witness non the less in what you said, "the fire of God will burn away the old man that is in you" ... i know i've said this to you before but i'm just mind boggled that the Creator of the universe would even be mindful of me let alone have such faith in me ... Everytime i think of this it makes tears well up in my eyes ... Amazing grace! ...And amen on all that you said about the babe in Christ's initial learning of the fire of God and most assuredly this ...Quote:"But all of this is just the beginning of the training. The word of God is the key that opens the door to His sanctuary" ...Bless God i've been saved now for a little over 25 years and i'm just now at the point of where as an elder fireman in the brotherhood of Christ that i am comfortable in passing on what i know and am still learning to any new membership our Lord sends my way ... Even when i was younger i used to always ask our Lord that if i was to become an old man that i be one of those strong old codgers of God (like Ravenhill) rooted in him like a Palm tree ... The kind of old saint whose very existence exudes "There are no troubles in this life greater than your faith in God" ...His continued blessings of illumination to you brother Jeff, and your continued sharing ... :knockedout:

Brother Rahman wrote: i know i've said this to you before but i'm just mind boggled that the Creator of the universe would even be mindful of me let alone have such faith in me .I mean this in a good way. The Lord does not have faith in you. We love Him because He first loved us. All who walk with Him learn the depths of His love for us. It is how He loves us that enables us to stand and walk the walk with Him. Amen Bro.In ChristJeff

Ex. 24:13 So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. In the brotherhood of Christ, men are called to help raise up the next generation that would follow after them. We learn from Scripture that Joshua became Moses assistant. In the brotherhood of men, this also takes place. Those veteran firefighters are given the responsibility to train the next generation. Everything they have learned from their manuals and life experiences are to be shared with the next generation. The veteran commands the rookie to imitate him in all things. They work, eat, and sleep together under one roof. The rookie's life and the life of others are dependent upon this time of training. Again there is a stark difference between the scope of training in the brotherhood of men and the brotherhood of Christ. In the brotherhood of men, the most that can be accomplished is that the rookie imitate the man that has trained him perfectly. Yet listen to Scripture to learn of God's way that is most perfect.Exodus 338 So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle. 9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. 11 So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle. From this Scripture we see that Moses' assistant Joshua is brought into the tabernacle. Imagine what Joshua begins to experience. He is there to witness Moses speaking with God. Joshua witnesses the life of a man that has been transformed by God. But there is much more. Please look to the last verse. "And he (Moses) would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle. Do you see the progression of training in the life of a man who is in the brotherhood of Christ? Do you see the most perfect way? In the brotherhood of Christ, the elder begins by sharing the word. Then he demonstrates to the young man the ways of his path that God has given him. Yet, there is more. The elder, because he understands the ways of his Savior, must then point the young man to the Savior. Once the young man begins to experience the relationship he has with his Savior, the young man realizes that it is time to look to Him for His daily bread. Another brother can sow and water, yet it is God who gives the increase. In ChristJeff

Brother Jeff you wrote;"I mean this in a good way. The Lord does not have faith in you. We love Him because He first loved us. All who walk with Him learn the depths of His love for us. It is how He loves us that enables us to stand and walk the walk with Him" ...Amen, and i mean this in a good way too ... :-D My Dad who passed on now almost 13 years ago was my best friend, closest confidant and my prime motivator in life when i'd reach what seemed like an insurmountabe life obstacle ... On the latter he'd give me some type of advice like "Well son there are only one of two things you can do ... You can either dig in, grit and bear it, or go jump off a bridge ... You're not gonna go jump off a bridge are you"? ... To which point i painfully laughed, "No sir" ... Then he'd say to me, "Son you're a piece of the Rock (his nickname was actually Hard Rock) you can do it, i have faith in you" ...Three months after my dad died, i was 41 at the time, i was sitting on my couch one night feeling most alone when i burst out crying like a 12 year old and sobbed, "i want my dad ... i don't have a father anymore"! ... And almost instantly a voice shot back into my spirit, "Yes you do, the same one you had before you had Him" ... It startled me so that i instantly began to repent to God for i'd not known that in all that time i'd reverenced my earthly dad more than my heavenly Dad ... i've not felt alone since ...So technically (intellectually) you are right in that His already knowing my outcome is not in fact "faith" in me by Him but just His straight up "omniscience" ... But even tho i do grasp my Heavenly Father mentally (as much as my small mind can) i tend to deal with and see Him more from my heart as i believe He does with me from His own, emotionally (for we can actually hug one another here), as my loving Dad who prompts me on by ever telling me that He knows that i can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me, so that when i fall, in repentance, i can get back up and continue on ... He does in fact already know whether i will endure to the end of this race but i don't ... And so when i see Him going so far out of His way to prove to me the faith that He already knows i have in Him, that i most often didn't even think i had but He already knew i did, emotionally, not mentally, or technically, i hear my Father in heaven saying to me "go on son, try it again, don't give up, your a piece of the (real) Rock, you can do it, I have faith in you" ... Eph.2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them ...Maybe somewhere down the line i won't need to see my heavenly Father as having faith in me, but right now i'm not there yet, and so like Linus in the Charley Brown comic strip, i'm hanging on to my Comforter for now ... :-P Pray for me ... Amen

Brother Rahman wrote:i've not felt alone since ...You've got the witness of the Spirt and that is all that a brother in Christ needs. I hear the words of your heart.AmenJeff

Apostle John wrote a letter to the faithful brotherhood of Christ. Listen to his description of Christ's brotherhood.1 John 2:12 I write to you, little children,\t\tBecause your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I write to you, fathers,\t\tBecause you have known Him who is from the beginning.\t\tI write to you, young men,\t\tBecause you have overcome the wicked one.\t\tI write to you, little children,\t\tBecause you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers,\t\tBecause you have known Him who is from the beginning.\t\tI have written to you, young men,\t\tBecause you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,\t\tAnd you have overcome the wicked one. Do you see the progression of one who lives day by day abiding in Him? Do you see the consequences that come from abiding in Him? John writes to the children, their sins are forgiven, to the young men the word of God abides in them, and to the fathers, they have known Jesus. The increase that comes from God is the only means by which we can know Jesus as the fathers did in Apostle John's generation. He promises to baptise us with the Spirit and fire. Listen to this Scripture:Heb. 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire. To know Jesus one will encounter this consuming fire. In ChristJeff

To know Jesus one will encounter this consuming fire. My brother Bob was consumed by this fire. Many of the things that cause strife amonsgt the brotherhood of Christ, he was quick to discern. He was a peacemaker. He was a humble man. He always had something to share with those who were hurting. He was a source of joy amongst the brotherhood of Christ. The sweet aroma of Christ flowed from him to all who shared with him in the brotherhood of Christ. There was power in his life only because he had been trained by the forces of the fire that comes from Christ. Many of the things that the brotherhood of man seeks no longer existed in the heart of my brother Bob. I could see the evidence of what he hoped for in this life. Christ had truly done a good work in him. And Christ's work continues even as my brother's body returns to the dust of the earth. The power of a life lived in communion with Christ lives on in the generation that Bob helped to train while he was with us. The power and glory of the brotherhood of Christ will overcome all that the glory of man could not. We live on because of the fire of Christ, and the glory of man will always perish because of the same fire. In ChristJeff