Protecting your spiritual passion

Like a fire in the fireplace, your spiritual passion is to be protected. 

When you light a fire in the depth of the coldness of winter, the fire must continually be stoked, logs must be put on, embers must be stirred.

Let me give you two suggestions on how you can do that:

First of all, don't take the spiritual fire, the spiritual blaze in your life for granted. 

The tendency of fire is go to out. 

All revival come to an end.

All seasons of renewal plateau and begin to then digress.

We can never take God's spiritual fire in our lives for granted.

What happened yesterday or last month or last year or 15 years ago in the Spirit will not keep the fire going today.  I must stoke the spiritual fire in my life on a daily, consistent basis.

It is the "hot poker principle."  You keep a fire poker near the fire it stays hot.  But if you pull it away and set it aside it will grow cold.  It has to stay close to the fire. 

That's why regular church attendance and participation in worship are so important.  I see people (I call them the "walking dead") who walk the halls of our church - coming in after worship is over (for whatever reason) and leaving before altar times are started.

My heart grieves (with the love of a pastor) for them.

How can I remain spiritually on fire for God if I am not stoking my fire each week by drawing near the Holy Spirit in worship and praise?

Secondly, watch out for fire fighters.  A firefighter is anyone who tries to put out your fire whether intentionally or non-intentionally.

Fire fighters will drag you down.

They can find a problem in every solution.

They focus on what's wrong rather than on what is right.

They possess a questioning spirit.  Asking questions is good.  Asking questions that you know the answer to or with an inner motivation to hurt is wrong.

Never, ever, let fire fighters drag you down and keep you from your spiritual potential. 

And what is mind boggling is that fire fighters will inwardly be jealous of your walk with God and try to tear you down if not bring you down to their level.

Be strong and courageous - for the Lord your God is with you!

Let the Holy Spirit light your fire today!

Just a thought for a Thursday.