Council Fire

Intertribal Life Ministries
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Council Fire is a podcast and book set of daily devotionals written by Indigenous followers of Jesus across North America. It's a year long journey through Scripture and story. Council Fire is a collaborative project between Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

  1. 12 UUR GELEDEN

    Never Hopeless

    “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!’ ” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) The Bible is not clear as to the author of the book of Lamentations but, regardless of who wrote it, it appears to be someone who was in deep distress, particularly over the fact that Jerusalem was being destroyed by the Babylonians. Imagine having your country and people in ruin! It is a terrible loss and the person who wrote this book shares what is going on. The author was in deep distress, but was never hopeless. The author penned the words so beautifully, “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each morning.” That doesn’t sound like someone in terrible ruin. Even though the author was in the midst of ruin, they put their faith and hope in the Lord. This encourages my heart to know that when discouraging times come (and they do), there is always hope! It is hope that is certain and never wavers. God is in control of hard and discouraging times, and I know that I, too, can trust Him for the time and for the outcome. – 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

    2 min

  2. 1 DAG GELEDEN

    Lord, Use Me for Your Glory

    “Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.” 1 Peter 1:2 (NIV) When the Lord first called me to His work, I was so excited and ready to go about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. But then things happened to destroy all that. I felt shame. There were people relying on me, but I had come up way short of everyone’s expectations— most of all Jesus, who gave up all things for me. I felt like an outcast. I sought to restore my relationships, but I remained hurt and angered because I was convinced that people did not understand what I was going through. I met with a Christian friend, thinking that he will be on my side and see things my way. After we talked quite a while, he said three words that angered me. Those words were, “You are selfish.” But it was godly advice. My friend was telling me that I was serving myself and was sitting on the throne that was meant for Jesus. All these devastating things that happened to me brought me into a closer relationship to Jesus. I had been placing “I” at the front, and not putting all things in His hands. First Peter 5:6-7 says “Humble yourself, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you.” I prayed to God, saying I was sorry for serving myself, pleasing myself, and not placing God before me. Not many years after, the Lord opened a door of ministry for me once more. Praise God, I am still remembered by Him and have been restored for His glory! – Ken Mitsuing   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

    2 min

  3. 2 DGN GELEDEN

    Strengthen That Which Remains

    “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” Revelation 3:2 (KJV) In Revelation 3, Jesus gave the church in Sardis a warning to repent and turn back to God. It sounds as if most of the believers in the church had become spiritually weak. But there is hope! . . . although death is mentioned, the possibility for renewal remains. Some people have a life motto. My own motto is the title of this devotional. In our little village, language is what kept our people intact. That was a big part of our cultural identity, and the Oji-Cree dialect is what I speak. Many of our people were forbidden to speak our language in residential schools. I personally experienced this and could have lost my language, as many have. I was led to believe that there is something wrong with my language and, sadly, it impacted my life. What kept reminding me of my language, though, was my father’s teaching when he would sit me down at our kitchen table. He had me memorize the syllabic chart from his hymn book. I thank God for how He has helped me restore that part of my identity—today I speak and write my language. It’s a blessing to worship God using the Cree hymn book. I encourage others to use our language any way we can, as it’s quickly becoming lost, especially among our youth. We all have beliefs and values that have defined us—especially how we walk with God. Are there other losses that we need to speak about? Perhaps godly lifestyles the church no longer practices? The Scripture states, “Be watchful and strengthen that which remains.” Let’s take time to reflect and pray for what grieves us. Do our actions meet the requirements of our God? Let’s go back to what we heard and believed at first and hold to it firmly. “Repent and turn to me,” says the Lord. – Liz Beardy   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

    3 min

  4. 3 DGN GELEDEN

    How Do You Take Your Coffee?

    “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV) I was thinking about the different ways we do things. For us coffee drinkers, we seem to have a wide variance in the way we like our coffee. The coffee chain I gravitate to has four sizes of coffee: S, M, L and XL . . . three kinds of coffee to choose from: regular, dark roast and decaf . . . then they have sugar, cream, or sweetener options. If you do the math, it comes out to 96 ways to build your own version, and that’s not counting the double-double, triple-triple, and quad-quad variations! Yup, we all do things a little different, but the common denominator is that we’re all coffee drinkers. In the realm of the “Christ-Follower” community, we find huge differences in the group demographics. First Corinthians chapter 12 brings out the scope of the variances in nationality and social status . . . “Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (12:13b-14, NIV) We are from such a mosaic of backgrounds, cultures, languages, and ethnicities. Our worship styles are all over the map and we embrace a range of doctrinal shades. We serve God in hundreds of ministry methodologies, but at the center of it all is our Crucified, Risen, and Reigning Savior, Jesus. We worship and obey Him as our Creator and Lord! Next time you’re in a coffee shop, eavesdrop and listen to all the ways people order their coffee. Springboard off that to consider the demographics, diversities, and differences among those with the highest privilege on earth, members of the gospel community . . . God’s family! – 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

    4 min

  5. 4 DGN GELEDEN

    God Knows Best

    “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

    3 min

  6. 5 DGN GELEDEN

    Seeing Myself

    “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

    2 min

  7. 6 DGN GELEDEN

    Look at Who I Am

    “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

    3 min

  8. 6 MRT

    Fear Not

    “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

    3 min
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Council Fire is a podcast and book set of daily devotionals written by Indigenous followers of Jesus across North America. It's a year long journey through Scripture and story. Council Fire is a collaborative project between Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

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  • Maker
    Intertribal Life Ministries
  • Jaren actief
    2025 - 2026
  • Afleveringen
    73
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    Veilig
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    © Copyright 2026 Intertribal Life Ministries
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    Council Fire
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