Ignite

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28-29 NSAB

It’s summer and we all love Bar-B-Ques and stories around the campfire.  There is something exciting about throwing the first match and watching a fire come to life.  Watching the flames dance as they begin to consume everything they touch.  Soon you can feel the heat from several feet away as the fire intensifies and the embers burn hotter.

This is just how it is with God in our lives.  In Hebrews 12:29 it says, “our God is a consuming fire”.  A consuming fire affects every area, leaving it forever changed.  A consuming fire does not just stay in one place it spreads and continues to grow.   When God ignites the spark in our hearts we can’t keep it in.  We desire to share with others what he has done for us in our lives. 

Throughout the years as a Christian, I have met all kinds of people who were at various stages in their Christian walk.  Some whose fires were barely smoldering, and some whose fires had completely gone out.   But the people who have made the most impact on my own walk are those who have been Christians for years and were still as on fire for God as they day they were baptized.

Have you ever wondered what keeps the fire burning strong in some, while it fizzles out in others?  Don’t we all at some point in our lives desire to be strong for Christ?  No one says after being baptized, “in a few years I’m only going to attend church every once in a while.” Or “I don’t really need to pray or read my Bible.”

So how do we keep the fire for God burning hot inside of us?  For starters, prayer!  How close are you to the people you only talk to occasionally?  My guess is not very close.  God wants us to talk to Him.  He wants to hear about our day, our struggles, our victories, and our hurts that we hide away.  We will never find ourselves in a situation so tough that we can’t fall on our knees.  In James 4:8 the Bible says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”  To ignite your fire for God, you must pray.

In today’s world, instant gratification is all around us.  Anything that we need to find is at our fingertips in a second thanks to Google or Siri.  Rarely do we take the time to study, research and discover truths on our own.  We accept at face value whatever half story a source provides.  We see a Bible verse on FaceBook, like the post and then go on with our day feeling like we read God’s word. 

But if we truly want to set ourselves apart and be on fire for God, we must look past the surface and dive deep into His word.  In 2 Timothy 2:15 it says, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval.  Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”   

For a moment imagine that your home is about to be destroyed and you only have a moment to grab one item to take with you – only one item that would not be destroyed.  What would you choose?  Would you choose your Bible, the one with all your notes and underlined verses?  If not, why not?  God’s word must be precious to us!  To ignite the fire for God, we must study His word.

For those of us who are parents, think back to the moment when you saw your child for the very first time.  As you held this tiny human in your hands you felt an indescribable, overwhelming amount of love for this tiny person you didn’t even know yet.  A love that consumed you, to ignite the fire for God, we must learn the true concept of love.  Love is so much more than sweaty palms and a racing heartbeat.  Love is having true compassion for those around us.   Love is why God sent his son to save the lost.  Love is what held Jesus to the cross to die for all of us.  Our love for others must be strong enough to recognize the needs of those around us, and then to take action to reach out and fill those needs the best we can.

Finally, just as a fire will go out if there is nothing more to burn, we have to put our prayers, study and love into action.  Nothing ignites the fire in our hearts more than serving God.  What we do for God today, may be the only opportunity we get to serve Him.  While we still have breath in our lungs we still have time.  Time to change from being lukewarm for Christ, to a life on fire for God.  Spread the fire and let those around you feel God’s love through you.