Tag Archives: Fire

On Fire for God – Burning with Passion

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-100176173In a previous blog post that centered around The Consuming Fire of God, the topic of fire and its characteristics as an element was briefly described. As mentioned in that post, fire not only consumes what surrounds it but it has the ability to spread throughout the vicinity. As long as other elements within its reach are flammable, a fire will not only scorch and destroy but it will spread.

As it relates to the life of every believer, the burning desire for God should emanate from one’s very life. The world around us should know just how powerful God is by not only the words that we speak but by our actions. How we operate daily should be indicative of our relationship with Jesus Christ and the fact that God reigns supreme in our lives. In the book of Revelation chapter 3, we can see that the writer who was the Apostle John is writing to various churches throughout Asia.

While John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, he wrote letters to 7 churches between chapters 2 and 3:

    • The church of Ephesus
    • The church of Smyrna
    • The church of Pergamum
    • The church of Thyatira
    • The church of Philadelphia
    • The church of Sardis
    • The church of Laodicea

Throughout his letters, the Apostle John is given the charge by God to write to each church both encouraging and also challenging those within the congregation and also church leadership. Each of the churches were commended for maintaining their faith. (e.g. The church of Thyatira – Revelation 2:19) However, in a few of the 7 churches there were sins or issues that led to an ineffective influence throughout the continent of Asia.

For example, the church of Pergamum was found guilty of allowing the doctrine of false gods to be taught to the congregation. Even in the church of Ephesus, it was clear that the Ephesians did not love God as they once had according to verse 4 of chapter 2. However, the focus of this post will be to hone in on an important passage that contain words that God had given to John to write to the church of Laodicea.

In chapter 3 verses 15-16 the following words are given:

(NLT) “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

Verses 17-19:

(NLT) “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

The overall issue with the church of Laodicea was that many within the church were unaware of their spiritual indifference toward God and the things of God. First, God’s message to John was to inform the people of the church that they were ‘lukewarm.’ Why does God use that term and what does it mean in the spiritual sense?

‘Lukewarm’ is meant to suggest that an individual or group of people are indifferent towards a matter. Verse 15 says, “that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!” The point that God wanted to impress upon the church of Laodicea was that their actions were neither for God or against God. Rather, what displayed was a cavalier or indifferent approach to how the church operated. Even verse 19 says, “So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

The key point is that God despises anyone who decides to walk on the fence or live in neutrality concerning the things of God. The message that God gives to the Laodicean church is that of being expelled from the very presence of God. God desires that we as Christians burn with passion for Him. In this scripture, God is saying to us even today that there isn’t an in-between. Our lives are either hot or burning in passion for God, or we are cold and we reject God’s truth and love.

The truth of the matter is, God desires that we all burn with passion for Him, however, there will be those that choose to totally reject Him which can be illustrated in coldness towards God. It is key to understand that God wants us to love Him entirely. He doesn’t want pieces of our heart, but He wants us to let Him have the freedom to reign in our lives. In this scripture, the meaning is that God wants you entirely, or He would rather not have you at all.

You and I who are in Christ must burn for God with a passion that shows forth to everyone. Part of the problem within our world today is that there are Christians who are serving in religiosity, but their heart has not been changed to reflect the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Many act as the Laodiceans did which is to portray a life of connection to God through meaningless rhetoric and routine. Yet, the life of those who perpetrate is wicked to the core. The Laodicean church claimed to be rich in wealth but spiritually they were poor as verses 17-19 says.

The indifference that many today show forth is the very thing that God despises. While God also frowns upon those who choose to be ‘cold’ or live in rejection toward Him and His decrees, God makes it clear that He wants you to find your satisfaction and wholeness in Him. God desires that we who are in Christ burn for Him. When we burn for Jesus Christ, the whole world can see the power of God.

We are living in a time in which sinfulness has abounded and many things that were once wrong are now deemed acceptable in our society. However, God is looking for those who are willing to let the fire of God ignite their very lives. Showing indifference towards sin or even the things of God is one of the things that God hates. This is a part of the reason why many within the body of Christ are ineffective because there is a level of neutrality that has taken root within the realm of Christendom.

There are those who no longer fear or reverence God and they feel as if speaking the truth of God isn’t profitable. However, God’s standard and expectation of those who name the name of Christ hasn’t changed. Religion and rituals adhere to a disposition of being ‘lukewarm.’ However, true relationship and true proclamation comes from the heart of a person who is deeply drenched in the Holy Spirit and the fire of God.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior? If not, then you have a tremendous opportunity to start the ignition process of experiencing the fire of God in your life. Or, perhaps you are a Christian but your life is lukewarm. God wants to ignite your life with His Holy fire so that the world will know who you stand with and for. God desires that we know Him intimately and that our lives burn with passion. Seek God through Jesus Christ and repent of your sins. Allow God to shape you and to burn away the sin in your life so you can spread His love and His truth to the world around you.

The Consuming Fire – An Authentic Relationship With God That Can Change Your Life

23 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10077870The natural element of fire is one of the most common entities that humanity has ever known. It is a natural part of our existence that has provided heat during the time of frigid temperatures and light during periods of darkness. Fire has been utilized for survival purposes for centuries, however, one characteristic of fire, is that it has the ability to spread.

A fire or a flame that is not contained has the propensity to spread to anything within its surrounding reach. While the element of fire has proven itself to be useful for human productivity, it can also be dangerous because of its destructive nature.  Fire can literally burn and purge just about any source of matter that is flammable.  It is a fire that can be difficult to contain if it reaches throughout a wide range of area, with wildfires in states such as California and Arizona being examples.

Nevertheless, there is one who exemplifies the essence of what fire is capable of and that is the person who is the almighty God. It is the presence of God that can be likened to that of fire, especially a fire that consumes. The glory of God is so powerful that we in our human condition cannot stand before God and survive.  It is the very presence and existence of a Holy God that permeates through the Earth and can radically change our lives.

In the Bible, there are a few passages of scripture that refer to God as a ‘consuming fire.’ One of those scriptures is found in Deuteronomy Chapter 4. In this chapter, Moses is recorded as giving the Israelites instructions regarding the decrees and commands of God. Moses is admonishing Israel not to turn to idolatry but to live in obedience unto God. In verses 1-2 Moses says:

(NLT) “And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.”

He also goes on to mention what occurred when there were those who turned to worship the god called ‘Baal.’  Baal was a graven image that was worshiped by some at that time, however, in verse 3, Moses recounts the act of God utterly destroying anyone who worshiped Baal. If you read further in this chapter you will see that Moses challenges the Israelites not to break their covenant with God.  Basically, he gives them specific instructions not to commit idolatry. Here is what Moses says:

Verses 23-24:

(NLT) “So be careful not to break the covenant the Lord your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the Lord your God has forbidden this.  The Lord your God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.”

Notice the words, ‘devouring fire’ in the admonishment that Moses gives.  Why does he use the words, ‘devouring fire?’ When you look at the end of verse 24, Moses says that God is a jealous God.  This means that God will not tolerate any form of idolatry because He is jealous for our love toward Him. Going back to verse 3 of this scripture, Moses mentioned that God destroyed anyone who worshiped Baal. One of the characteristics of fire that was mentioned earlier is that it has the ability to destroy.

One of the things that God will do is bring judgment or punishment upon anyone who decides to serve another god other than Himself. He will also judge any person or nation that openly rejects His decrees which, in essence, is the same as blatant defiance. According to scripture, there is a side of God that produces wrath upon anyone who is opposed to Him or His ways.

However, there is another side of God as it relates to the metaphor used to link the characteristics of fire. While God is a jealous God as the scripture mentioned, He is also a God who is Holy. When you look at what fire is capable of doing, it will literally burn elements that are flammable to the point where it no longer exists. In this context, the devouring fire of God can also mean to purge all forms of unholiness or sin in a person’s life.

When you and I have an authentic relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we are transformed to be more like God. Nothing that is unholy or unclean can remain in the presence of the almighty God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, (ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Basically, once you have had an actual encounter with Jesus Christ and you have experienced the glory of being in God’s presence, you are made new.

Like a fire changes its surroundings, you too become changed when you are truly in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  It is the fire or presence of God that removes the sin within your life.  You may be struggling with old habits or old mindsets that need to be transformed through Christ.  This is why you and I need the Holy Spirit who is available to teach us and to guide us into His truth.

Much of the reason why our world is the way it is, is because of humanity’s sinfulness. It is the sin that corrupts and causes us as humans to be subject to the schemes and lies of our enemy who is satan.  However, when you become connected and bask in the presence of a Holy God, the devouring fire of His holiness begins to change you at the core.

The final aspect of the element of fire that can be applied to who God is, is a fire’s ability to spread.  Once you and I have experienced God for ourselves, it becomes difficult to remain silent about our encounter with God.  The Prophet Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 20:9, (NLT) “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”

Anyone who has truly tasted the glorious nature and presence of God will be unable to withhold such splendor.  That is because the glory of God becomes evident to you personally, and God’s glory begins to emanate from your very existence. What occurs is that the message of God begins to spread to others around you.  It is then that the conviction of the Holy Spirit does the work on the cold-hearted and the lost.

The power of God cannot be stopped, nor can the light of Christ be hidden. There are many who claim Christianity and yet the power and testimony of God is nowhere to be found. Why is that?  It may be because they have not tapped into the presence of God which is available to everyone who will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior. Or it may be that the testimony of Jesus Christ has been silenced due to fear or living ashamedly of the Gospel.

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord & Savior, you can do so while you have an opportunity.  Your life will be changed forever once you experience the glory of God in His presence.  To stoke the flame of this Holy fire, you must maintain a steady relationship with God through prayer, meditation on God’s word, and worship. The life of every person who encounters God’s Holiness will be changed forever. There isn’t such a thing as a person who is unchanged by God’s presence.  The Holy and consuming fire of God will burn away all that is steeped within sinful living.  Let God change your life through His consuming fire.