Episodios

  • Faithful Servants

    Faithful Servants
    Apr 6 2026
    “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NIV) I will never forget my mom putting us five kids to bed early on a Saturday night because we were going to go to Sunday school the next day. My six-year-old thoughts were, “What!? Why? It was our day off from school.” A faithful man named Mr. Staley from the Oakridge Baptist Church in Vancouver had been visiting mom, explaining the Christian faith to her. He was obeying Jesus’s words from Matthew 28:19. I’m reasonably sure he came at least three times to talk to her about sending us to Sunday school. As I reflect on these times, I can’t help but think there must have been a lot of people praying for her to say yes. As it was, she only sent my older sister and I because the others were too young. I expect it took some extra encouraging, since mom was a survivor of residential school—something she never talked about to any of us. It has made me believe that mom had a faith of her own, in spite of what she may have experienced or witnessed in residential school. She was a peaceful person, gentle, caring. Nevertheless, Sunday school was where I first learned about God and Jesus. Sunday school was a safe place, bright, full of love and learning, and exciting stories. We memorized verses, earned Bibles, and went to Bible camp. I really looked forward to going every week. A family came to pick us up every Sunday until we were old enough to take the bus. I am forever thankful for these faithful followers reaching out to our family. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your servants who brought us to Sunday school where we learned the Good News about Jesus and came to believe. – Loretta Oppenheim 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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  • Prayers Not Answered

    Prayers Not Answered
    Apr 5 2026
    “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” John 3:21 (NIV) A woman had prayed and prayed for her children to turn from their ways of addiction. She even asked the church for prayer that God would help her children stop and turn from their ways. It was for about seven years that she continued to pray, and it seemed nothing was happening. She slowly stopped coming to the church. We think she has given up on God because her prayers were not being answered. Let me share some Scripture that might help us understand this story. John 3:19-21 in another translation says, “They are judged by this fact: The light has come into the world. But they did not want light. They wanted darkness because they were doing evil things. Everyone who does evil hates the light. They will not come to the light, because the light will show all the bad things they have done. But anyone who follows the true way comes to the light. Then the light will show that whatever they have done was done through God.” (ERV) God does hear and answer prayer. He wants to and is willing to work with this woman’s children. But everyone has a free will provided by God. In her case, it seems that her children are not ready to give up the darkness they are living in and choose to stay in that lifestyle. Everyone who loves evil hates the light, and that is the truth. The ones who are true believers love the light. This woman’s children need to see the light of Jesus and turn from their darkness. Sad to say, many can’t see beyond the darkness they are living in. Let’s keep praying. God waits for people who are living in darkness to come to Him. – Kirby James 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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  • Pride and its Consequences

    Pride and its Consequences
    Apr 4 2026
    “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) It’s late afternoon. Jack, a bright all-around student, dribbles his basketball on his family’s driveway. He stops, aims at the net above the garage door, and shoots. A three pointer! There is no one to celebrate with him, so Jack whoops and dances around. A car pulls up. His friend, Dan, starts toward Jack. “Whatzup?” Jack asks in familiar slang as he continues to dribble the ball. “The debate team is meeting in a half hour. Can you come? We found out that Sohi College dropped out and we’ll be debating that tough Citywide College team on Friday. We need to get together. One of the subjects is climate change. There’s lots of research we need to do. Jack sinks another three-pointer. “Wow! You see that? It’s my third money ball today. For sure, I can go pro some day!” “Yeah, if you grow another six inches,” Dan chides. “Now, what about debate practice? You coming? We need you, man. I told the team I’d pick you up and bring you.” “I don’t need to practice,” Jack replies. “I can out-debate anybody, any place, any time. I’ll be there Friday for sure, okay? Have I ever let my team down?” “But what about that climate change topic? It can go a dozen ways, so let’s get going on the research. You’re our top debater, Jack. We really need you, man!” Dan pleads. Friday arrives. The rival teams are seated on stage. The moderator introduces them. The debate is on. But because Jack’s pride in believing himself unbeatable and too smart to need study and practice, he seems unfocused and cannot refute his rivals. His team loses. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” 1 Peter 5:6 (NKJV). Father God, grant me humility in my thoughts, words and actions, that I may be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. – Kiki BelMonte-Schaller 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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    4 m
  • Gifts from Above

    Gifts from Above
    Apr 3 2026
    “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV) Often when we experience big tests, trusting God is not our first reaction. Then God speaks to our spirit and directs us to His Word. When more cancer was found in my system and I needed a second surgery, I was angry. Angry with the surgeon for not getting all the cancer the first time, angry that I was going back into surgery in two days and, yes, I think I was angry with God for my circumstance. I left to visit my brother who lived about three hours away. On the way, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” popped into my mind. I did not know the reference, so I Googled it and found it in James. I was amazed that God spoke so clearly to me. He reminded me of where my experiences were coming from and that they were good. That scripture brought peace to my heart. God taught me many lessons in that season of my life. I gave up my job and lost my regular income, and my body was changed forever. In retrospect, I realized that these “things” had taken my focus away from God. I had given a lot of my time to perfecting my job, and I often wasted my earnings on frivolous, prideful buying. In the early months of my illness, I was afraid and unsure of the future, so I immersed myself in God’s Word. I spent many hours in prayer. I learned about His “rest” (trusting that He has me and is in total control of my circumstances). Father God, thank You for getting me back on track with You and teaching me that I can trust You in every circumstance. – Theresa Bose 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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  • Using Our Gifts

    Using Our Gifts
    Apr 2 2026
    “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) The early believers were learning how to uplift and encourage each other through the use of their individual gifts. Peter was writing to them to instruct them further in this area. This reminds me of a little girl who always wanted to help. Anything she could do for somebody, she would do it. Whether it was helping her mom with the housework, or looking after her brothers and sisters, she was always there. She didn’t know at the time that her Bible called this the gift of helps. As she grew up, she found that she still liked to help people and, as she began to seek out her spiritual gifting, it turned out to be the gift of helps. She became a singer, and did a lot of counseling, as the doors opened for those opportunities. That little girl was me! I never realized that I had something to offer God. I was really shy and had a very difficult time to interact with people, much less counsel them! As I grew in the Lord, He transformed my thinking and my outlook on life. It was then that I was able to start using my spiritual gifting to help and encourage other people. What a joy! Dear God, You have given every one of us different gifts to serve you with. Thank You for the gifts You’ve given me. Help me to use them to honor You! In Jesus’ name, 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
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    2 m
  • Never Alone

    Never Alone
    Apr 1 2026
    “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Nothing in this world can give us the confidence and security that we need. Only God the Father can. Only God can do this, as He is the one who can give us His presence for eternity, wherever we go and whatever we do. Therefore, I will not fear whatever comes. I will keep my eyes on Him. I know He will lead me in the very best way possible. After my husband died, I wondered, “How am I ever going to survive without him? Am I ever going to be able to go out on ministry again, alone?” I was scared to go alone, as the memories and thoughts of singing together and traveling to places together flooded my mind. “I’ll have to drive alone by myself,” I thought. Then God’s Word came to me from Isaiah 41, a reminder that I do not have to be afraid, and that God will strengthen me. Praise God for His Word and His precious promises. I can have confidence in my God in everything I can do for Him. I don’t have to hide away in my closet and grieve. Yes, I have my grieving and my time of crying, missing my beloved husband, but I also have my joy in the Lord. Father, the joy of the Lord is my strength, for in my weakness I am made strong in You. You have been my Shepherd, led me beside still waters and never left me alone. Thank You for comforting in my grief. And thank You for encouraging me to not stop sharing your love with others. – 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
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  • Resurrection Sunday

    Resurrection Sunday
    Mar 31 2026
    “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” John 11:25 (NIV) A couple years back, about a week before Easter, a fellow musician shared with me this viewpoint on Easter Sunday. I’d like to pass it on to you. Read on . . . he said, “I don’t call it Easter Sunday anymore. I call it Resurrection Sunday. Why? Because every time I say that I’m telling whoever’s listening that Jesus is Risen—that He’s Alive!” Just by naming the day in that manner, he was testifying to everyone in his world that he believed in a Savior who was alive. After mulling that over for a while, I decided to start calling it that, too! I was reading some from J. F. McArthur’s writings and came across a really good resurrection quote: “If He never rose, He wouldn’t be alive. If He wasn’t alive, He couldn’t give us life. But He did arise, and He said in John 11:25, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me even though he dies, shall live again.’ So eternal life is dependent upon the resurrection.” He’s not “just” risen. Look at what Ephesians 1:20-22 (NIV) says: “He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet . . . ” No, He’s more than just risen. The Word says, “... far above all rule and authority, power and dominion . . . ” He’s absolute deity! Not just risen! He’s Lord of All! On Resurrection Sunday, that’s the One we honor; that’s who we’re focused on! – 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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  • Casting It All

    Casting It All
    Mar 30 2026
    “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) I always liked this verse, but I never really understood it until I watched some fishermen casting their nets into the water. The men waited patiently for the right waves to come rolling in, then they would take their circular nets that had weights around the edge and, with all their strength, they would cast their nets out into the water. The word “cast” had a new meaning. They threw their nets into the waves, and they cast them away as far as they could. They let go of their nets. When the nets sank, there would be fish caught in the nets and the fishermen would haul them back and remove the fish. The men did this over and over. They were strong men, but it must have been exhausting to cast the nets out and then haul them back when they were full of fish. Many of the disciples were fishermen—tough, muscular, strong men who worked hard pulling in nets full of fish and casting the nets out again over and over. They didn’t toss the nets, or let the nets float away, or let the nets sink to the bottom. They used all their strength to throw the nets as far as they could, to cast them away. I wanted to cast all my cares on God. I wanted to use all my strength to throw them as far away from me as I could—casting them away forever, never to think about them or worry about them or grieve over them again. The Bible says, “casting all your care.” It doesn’t say some of your care, or part of your care—it says all your care . . . care about your family, health, finances, job, marriage, children, problems . . . all your care. I will cast all my cares on God. I will let go and I will not remember. – 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
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