{"id":826,"date":"2022-02-21T05:09:53","date_gmt":"2022-02-21T11:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/?p=826"},"modified":"2022-12-19T13:25:31","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T19:25:31","slug":"keep-the-fire-in-your-heart-burning-4-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/keep-the-fire-in-your-heart-burning-4-thoughts\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep the fire in your heart burning\u2026 4 Thoughts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\u201c<\/span>The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously, it must not go out.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

(Leviticus 6:12\u201313).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I am not a fire-making expert. In fact, I struggled for many years to get a campfire going in my backyard in order for my daughters to roast marshmallows. So much so that we decided last summer to purchase a gas fire pit. Push a button and\u2014voil\u00e0\u2014a fire appears! In my attempts to make fire, I have come to realize that making a fire and keeping it burning requires some work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here in these verses, we see that the Israeli priests had a job to do. Keep that fire burning! Not just a small ember, but a bonfire, so the sacrifices could be offered and the community could see the flames. <\/span>However, for the fire to burn brightly, the priests needed to work. Wood had to be found and cut and laid on the altar. Animals had to be examined and then offered. Ashes had to be removed. And that fire, God said, “shall not go out!” <\/span>[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Four Thoughts about the Fire Burning<\/h4>\n

For several days now I have reflected on the fire of my heart. How\u2019s it burning? Where is the wood coming from? Are other people seeing the flames? I\u2019ve thought about these verses and begun to pray them for my own life and yours as well. Here are four thoughts that I hope bring you encouragement as you lead and minister from a heart burning for the Lord.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The Holy Spirit is the fire. <\/b>This fire referred to in Leviticus was started by God Himself. \u201cFire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering.<\/i>\u201d (Leviticus 9:24). We see here that God is the source of the flame the priests were told to keep fueled. Even more, throughout the Bible we also see that the Holy Spirit Himself is often in<\/i> the flame. God dwelt in the pillar of fire in Exodus 14:24 and the Holy Spirit dwelt in the flames of fire that fell at Pentecost in Acts 2:3-4. God is your consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). The reminder for us is that the Holy Spirit lives and dwells in us, and we are reminded by Paul in 2 Timothy 1:6 that we are to \u201cfan into flame the gift of God.<\/i>\u201d Praise God my friends that the flaming fire of the Holy Spirit actually lives within us!<\/li>\n
  2. We are to be living sacrifices<\/b>. To the altar we bring our lives. Through the gospel we have been offered resurrection life. Therefore, we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2). Our time, gifts, bodies, dreams, families, ministry\u2014we bring it all to the altar that burns with the flames of the Holy Spirit, as living sacrifices. This, Paul says, is our \u201cspiritual act of worship\u201d (Romans 12:2).<\/li>\n
  3. The fire needs to be stoked<\/b>. As followers of Christ, we fuel the fire through God\u2019s word applied in our life. Through prayer, worship, singing and joyful praise. Through sabbath practice, study and community with others. Through loving one another and spurring each other on towards love and good deeds. Stoke the fire daily my friends so that the fire may burn continuously on the altar.<\/li>\n
  4. Your flame is contagious<\/b>. God wants to make your life and faith in Him like a bonfire that burns with intensity. A flame that both warms all those in its presence as well as serves as a light to this dark world showing others where the love of God is to be found (Matthew 5:16). [2]<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    When the fire wanes<\/h4>\n

    I know there are days in ministry where it seems hard to find the wood to keep the fire roaring. Days when the flame seems to only flicker. In those moments, may you be reminded of the great joy there is to be found in the presence of the Lord. Ask the Spirit for strength to get that fire burning bright once again. And remember, servants of the Lord, <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful<\/span><\/i>\u201d (Hebrews 10:23).<\/span>[1]\u00a0<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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    Growth Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Christ followers are called to keep the fire of God constantly burning in their hearts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Scripture Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Read Hebrews 12:29 and reflect on the meaning of this verse.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Action Point:<\/span><\/h4>\n

    When have you seen God most ablaze in your heart? What were the circumstances that surrounded that season and what can be learned from that?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

    <\/div><\/div><\/div>
    [1] https:\/\/www.nateholdridge.com\/blog\/dont-let-your-fire-go-out-leviticus-6-12-13<\/span><\/h6>\n
    [2] https:\/\/hopeinchristchurch.wordpress.com\/2013\/05\/22\/let-the-holy-spirit-burn-in-you-leviticus-612-13\/<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/div>
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