MessagesofLove_TheHeatisOn

Welcome to The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory Women's Ministries Website

Women’s Ministries Programs

Theme:

“Messages of Love”

The Heat Is On

Iva West

Service—March 2008

East Chicago R1

Introduction

Help the members of your group make a heart connection by reminding them about the job and challenges of firefighters. This is a way to say thanks to these local community servants who put their lives on the line every day for our benefit.

Worship Center or Room Décor

Place an open Bible, red candle and firefighter’s hat in a place of central focus. Also display other garments that firefighters wear to protect them when fighting a fire. Use toy fire trucks as centerpieces.

Firefighter Program

Contact your local fire department and invite a firefighter to speak about fire safety or the life of a firefighter. Find out if there are female firefighters in your community. This might add an extra dimension to your program.

Projects

Gift Bags

A month before the program, have the women collect items to be given to your local fire department for the firemen. Some suggestions are: disposable razors, shampoo, soap, deodorant, lotion, snack items. You might also want to include some baked goods.

Greeting Card Ministry

Ask the fire chief to give you a list of the firefighters’ birthdays. Send birthday and other cards to the men and women at your local station. Let them know you are praying for them.

Volunteer Service

Find out if there are ways your group can assist your local fire station. Perhaps they need a volunteer to answer the phones once a week.

Fire

Here by this spot, so peaceful

I hear and feel the sounds of one

greater than I.

The birds are singing,

the babbling brook,

the gentle brook,

the warmth of the sun,

white clouds and blue sky.

Thank you, Lord, for sparing

this place.

Across the water,

visible, the devastation that

came so close.

Fire is like that, Lord.

Your Holy Spirit can inspire

and give us living passion.

Yet, other fires can destroy

all that we hold dear.

Thank you for the reassurance

that You still answer prayer

from the midst of the fire.

—Author Unknown

From Catherine, The Salvation Army, Canada

Devotions

The Fiery Furnace

Open the devotional time by singing song “Send the Fire,” #203, The Salvation Army Song Book. Then read Daniel 3.

F—Faith

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were men of great faith, even when the heat was on. These three men had the faith to step out against King Nebuchadnezzar, knowing the consequences for their disobedience to the King would be fierce. They did not care because their faith in God was more precious to them than life itself. It was so strong that not even peer pressure could deter them.

I—Inspiration

Everyone is inspired by different things. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were inspired by God to be strong and to stand up for their faith in Him. They knew He was the only true God and that He could deliver them from the fiery furnace. Even if He did not deliver them, they determined to remain faithful to Him.

R—Rescuer

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace and everyone assumed they would be killed. Imagine their astonishment when they looked into the furnace and saw not three men but four. These men had not only proven their faithfulness to God, but God had also proved His faithfulness to them. He was not only in the fiery furnace with them but He delivered them unharmed from the fiery blast.

E—Equipped

Shadrach, Messiah, and Abednego did not have the garments and equipment that today’s firefighters wear. The only thing they were equipped with was their trust in God. They understood that no matter what happened to them, God would be with them. God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called.

Many of us have gone through, or may still be in, our own fiery furnace. You may be going through difficult times in which you doubt your faith in God or if He is even with you as you face your problems. Joshua 1:5 reminds us, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” We should be inspired by this promise that God has given to us. When the heat is on, God is faithful. God will not only deliver, but He will also equip us for the fires that we have to go through.