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. 2h ago

    I Knew Better!

    “But God, who is rich in mercy . . . made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Ephesians 2:4a,5b (NKJV) I knew better when I bought the coat. I got stuck in it while trying it on, but my sisters convinced me it was quite stylish. Surely I’d figure out the tricky belt clasp. The trouble came the first day I wore it. I stepped out of the car and couldn’t move. The belt was caught in the closed door, and I was pinned to the car! No problem. I would just undo the belt. Or so I thought. I tried frantically, but without success. With people beginning to stare, I awkwardly managed to wriggle my way out. Heading home, belt still dangling out the door, I couldn’t stop laughing, “I knew better!” Sometimes we make choices we know aren’t good for us. It can lead us into a place of bondage or feeling stuck. And it’s no laughing matter. In the Bible, Adam and Eve knew better, but still ate the fruit. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. They knew better, but over and over we see the same pattern repeated! But God knew better. God, who is rich in mercy, knew we needed a way to be free of our guilt and shame. While we were yet dead in trespasses and sin, He made a way to give us life through Christ. This is grace. His grace sought out Adam and Eve in the garden after they sinned. His grace raised Joseph to a place of power so he could help his brothers. His grace brought the prodigal son back home. His grace is what saves. By receiving it, we can be free from those “I knew better” moments. It’s this place of mercy and grace where mistakes are redeemed, and regret doesn’t have to rule us anymore. (By the way, that coat quickly got thrifted. Someone else out there may be enjoying it as much as I did!) – Kim (Hill) Elias   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. 1d ago

    Beauty from Ashes

    “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . to comfort all who mourn . . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:1,2c,3b (NIV) My journey began in Kenai, Alaska in 1946. I am “Alaska Native,” the fourth daughter of five sisters, and an older half-brother. My brother began sexually abusing me when I was five or six years old. I told no one, not even my parents. The impact on my life was long lasting. Years later, I sought help from a counselor who told me about Dan Allender’s book, “The Wounded Heart.” I read the book, then attended my first “Survivors of Abuse” seminar in Vancouver. Something I had never talked about was openly shared in small and large groups. I began my healing journey, leaving shame behind. I knew that my people needed this. Returning to Alaska, a committee of 10 Native leaders gathered to discuss ideas, and the Beauty for Ashes Conference was formed. Our first gathering was held in 2003. Locally, the name has changed to “Hearts Going Toward Wellness,” and continues to this day. As my journey continues, I’m grateful to God for opening my prison door and setting me free. All praise and glory to God. Maybe you are a victim of sexual abuse. I encourage you to find someone to talk to. The enemy of our souls delights in keeping you a prisoner. But the Lord wants to bind your broken heart and set you free, bringing the healing that only He can bring, and create beauty from ashes. – Linda Ross   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. 2d ago

    We Wrestle Not . . .

    “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood . . . ” Ephesians 6:12a (NKJV) We have been in ministry for many years. We started soon after we were married. My wife, Edna, and I learned that we needed Bible and ministry training, so we attended a small Bible Institute in Alaska outside of Palmer. Then we started ministry in her home village. The Lord led us soon after to Anchorage. We led a Native ministry for many years, where the above verse became very real to me when I encountered opposition. Surprisingly, the opposition came from Christians who were close to me, but who caused me to question whether or not the Lord had really placed us there. I remember the opposition coming just before I was about to lead worship—two times that I can remember, it came with very abusive language. It caused me to think that I was not doing things correctly. Then, as I met with the Lord, He showed me in His Word the truth of what was really happening. He showed me Ephesians 6:12. As a light dawned, instead of becoming angry, I began to pray for those who opposed me. It created in me a whole new train of thought—that the opposition didn’t come from flesh and blood, but from our enemy. I was then able to look at those who opposed us with love, knowing now that the enemy was trying to discourage us. We turned them over to the Lord and continued, with the Holy Spirit’s leadership, in the ministry the Lord had provided for us. Talk about a victorious life after being enlightened by the Spirit! Lord, help us to depend on You when even those who are closest to us try to discourage our work for You, and to love them even when they are unknowingly opposing Your work. Let it be so. – Don Shugak   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. 3d ago

    Where are the Directions?

    “If a man love Me, he will keep my Words and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.” John 14:23 (KJV) It happens very often at Christmas. Someone gets a present that needs to be assembled. It’s easy to say, “It doesn’t look hard. I don’t need the instructions.” So, you kind of drop the instruction papers somewhere. This has happened in many homes, including ours. I still remember thinking, “Where is that instruction book? I hope someone didn’t burn it.” Sometimes life presents problems two or three at a time—like when you have two or three parts left over when you are supposed to be finished! Sometimes we face bigger issues in life, and we need directions. An example of this was when I became a believer in Christ. We did not have a Bible teaching pastor here, but I was just beginning to understand that a Christian’s life should be different from what mine was. Without a vehicle to travel to an area church, the radio was all I had. Sadly, at that time my radio had preachers who were preaching something else, and not teaching the Bible. I thank God for the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. Then, early in my Christian life I went to a Bible camp to help. I did not know much about the Bible, but I learned more there and by that time I was having my devotions every day. Then I went to Bible school in 1953 and learned more about getting into the Word of God. John 15:3 says, “Now ye are clean by the word that I have spoken unto you” (KJV). This is where we learn that it is the Spirit of God Who comes to dwell in us. Lord, keep me clean through Your Word. – 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

  5. 4d ago

    On the Mountains and in the Valleys

    “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot . . . ” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV) I had the opportunity to create and host a radio show called Pause, Praise & Rock! on 89.3 FM, The Raven. We are to praise the Lord, no matter the circumstance. God is good all the time. Seasons in our lives change, that is for sure. But God doesn’t change, so our circumstances should not dictate or limit our praise. That was what we were trying to communicate as my husband and my brother and I gathered music that could be listened to in people’s ups and downs. Think about the songs (Psalms) that are included in the Old Testament, and Christian songs that have been written since then. We found songs that expressed the believer’s feelings—whether they were shouting in joy or shouting in pain—but all giving praise to God. During my dad’s slow battle with cancer, he was blessed to watch his grandchildren grow up and to spend much time at home with his wife. He also kept serving the church, doing what he could with what he had. And he was my biggest radio fan! Despite his preference for country-style gospel music, he tuned in to our program every Sunday. He supported me and would tell me when he was surprised or fancied a song! I know my dad is with the Lord, and I know that our time apart will be nothing compared to the Lord’s promises and eternity. So, I will continue giving praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. – Tayola Brown (L’Hirondelle)   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

  6. 5d ago

    Love Sent Jesus to the Cross

    “‘Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ [Jesus] said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.” John 12:31-33 (NIV) Many years ago, in a certain church, it was customary for new members to be called to the front at the close of the worship service. The first to be called one morning was a Chinese laundryman who had just moved to the area. He stood to one side at the front. More were called up, and they all stood on the opposite side, leaving the lowly laundryman standing alone. A final person, also new to the area, was called up. He was a chief justice. He walked up and stood close beside the laundryman. The pastor welcomed the group into the church fellowship, then said to the congregation: “I do not want you to miss this illustration. This chief justice took his place beside the laundryman. At the cross of Jesus, the ground is level.” Also, at the cross, the ground is safe. For years, First Nations people and others have saved their homes from prairie fires by setting fire to the dry grass close by. The fire cannot cross where the fire has already been. There is a place of safety at the cross—where judgement has already fallen and can never come again! The one who takes his stand at the cross is saved forevermore. He can never come into condemnation, for he is standing where “the fire” has already been. The saved person is in God’s safety zone, cleansed by the blood of Christ. The cross is the wisdom of God. Who but God could think of such a plan as this, and defeat the enemy at the same time? Only our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! – 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

  7. 6d ago

    Continuing By Faith

    “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) In my third year of Bible school, depression hit me. It seemed like I was not getting any encouragement from God’s Word, and I even questioned if I was truly saved. Deep down I knew that God had saved me—but I didn’t feel it. As students, we used to play a lot of volleyball and floor hockey after study hours. During the week, we were fed good teaching from God’s Word and good food from the kitchen! Those were great years. Little did I know that, when my third year came around, I would experience some of the most depressing times of my life . . . and I dared not tell anyone. I feared that people would think that there was something terribly wrong with me, and I would be sent away. I had thoughts that would discourage me to tears. I felt stuck, alone and abandoned, even by God. But God used the school staff and my sister to encourage me with God’s Word. How we need each other as followers of Christ! Also, during that time, I found a devotional book. As I read each page, along with Scripture, it was as if God was right there with me. On the days when I could not feel it, I still sought God with all my heart. By faith, I continued to live for Him. I don’t know exactly when, but after my graduation and beginning my missionary service, all of a sudden, I realized that I was no longer depressed! I could genuinely smile and laugh and look forward to what God had in store. As I look back, I see now how Satan tried to deceive me to think that I was really not God’s child, that I was hopeless and not worth helping. I learned that, by faith, God had me safe in His arms the whole time. – 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

  8. Sep 15

    Guitar Strings

    “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV) New guitar strings always make a guitar sound better! You kind of get used to the “average” sound of your instrument, but it’s just so refreshing to hear new strings kick in that extra level of twang, crispocity (okay, that word didn’t clear Spellcheck), resonance, and reverberance. I remember bragging about my new Black Diamond strings to another guitarist, Ten-Foot Joe. He just laughed and said, “Cheapest on the market, eh?” I guess I got told! Some guitar players can even remember how they used to “refresh” old strings. When you lived in a remote community, when the store ran out of strings, when you didn’t have enough pesos to rub together, and when the option of getting a new set just wasn’t there, old-time pickers had a solution. They would boil the strings! Boiling old guitar wires takes out all the crud that deadens their vibrancy. Sweat, bacon grease, Aqua Velva, sweat, dust, spilled drinks, sweat, dirt, gravy and more sweat will kill the sweet sound of a guitar string. Boiling takes that away, bringing an old string back to life again. Sometimes our spiritual walk can get to the place where it loses its vibrancy—where the excitement of mercy received and sin forgiven is muddied by the decimating downers of the daily grind. Our “strings” lose their sweet tone and our lives don’t resonate the way our Creator designed them to. God knows what it takes to get us back on track. Sometimes that cure isn’t the most comfortable, and often resembles the string-boiling process! Yup, God uses tough situations in our lives to restore our spiritual vibrancy. Personal losses, strained relationships, overdrawn bank accounts, friends’ funerals, health challenges, discouragement, abandonment or whatever we’re facing . . . God can use those muddy (boiling?) waters to bring us back to where our lives reflect Jesus again! – 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

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Intertribal Life Ministries
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    268
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Intertribal Life Ministries
  • Show Website
    Council Fire