"Fanning the Flame in Our Hearts"
"…..FERVENT in spirit; serving the LORD." - Romans 12:11

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor HOT: I would thou wert cold or HOT. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor HOT, I will spue thee out of my mouth. - Revelation 3:15-16

One of the subjects that WEIGHS HEAVIEST on my heart, as far as the Christian walk, is the subject of "FANNING THE FLAME IN OUR HEARTS".

I used Romans 12:11 as one of our main text because in the Greek "fervent" (ZEO) means to be HOT, to boil. Metaphorically used of fervency of spirit. (quoted from Vine's Dictionary of New Testament Words). We should be HOT in spirit in our serving the LORD.

NOTE: We are going to assume that you are not living in unrepented sin. But if you are living in unrepented sin, even before this message can apply to your life you MUST repent and ask forgiveness for your sins.

Now let's talk to the Christian who is not willfully living in sin, BUT is NOT on FIRE for God. Since you are not living in known unrepented sin, why is there FIRE for God lacking in your life?

I would like to briefly offer at least part of the reason (I believe a BIG part) for why you don't have the FIRE of God in your life.

This devotion is in NO WAY meant to condemn you or discourage, but to bring you HOPE for becoming on FIRE for God. This devotion is written by the leading of the Holy Spirit, but is also based on personal experience in my own Christian life.

In my 24 ½ years as a Christian, I can point to long and short seasons of being on FIRE for God, but I can also point to long and short seasons of spiritual coldness in my Christian life.

Recently, I have been convicted that I need to be fanning that flame in my heart. It's EASY to grow cold, but you know it can be EASY to stay on FIRE for God IF we take the godly way of living out our Christian life.

The PROBLEM is that most of us do not choose the godly way of living out our Christian life; thus, it is HARD to stay on FIRE for God.

Among the most common temptations in Christian life is to just go with the flow of society or of a lukewarm church (i.e., lukewarm Christians).

Without getting legalistic, as I believe legalism can put the flame of God out in a Christian's life, I do believe there are ABSOLUTES in the Christian life. THINGS I CAN'T DO AND THINGS I MUST DO to keep my spiritual fires burning HOT toward my LORD.

There are two essential things that I want us to look at on keeping HOT on FIRE for GOD (i.e., fanning the flame).

To follow these TWO essentials will take some discipline on your part AND a humble, broken and teachable heart before our LORD and His God-appointed leaders (i.e., pastors, etc. - Eph. 4:11-16).

I deeply believe spiritual growth, and thus, being on FIRE for God involves BOTH of these things.

ONE INVOLVES OUR PERSONAL WALK.
Without our personal, intimate time alone with God in the Word of God and prayer, we will never be as on FIRE for God as we could be. Personal fellowship with God through the Word and prayer will fan the flame!

Take TIME to develop your time with God in His Word (the Bible) and also time in prayer.

SECOND, IT INVOLVES OUR WALK AMONG OTHER CHRISTIANS (i.e., the church, the Body of Christ).

I know there are people out there who don't fellowship with other believers, and yet, would say that they are on FIRE. To a certain extent this may be true, but not totally. EVERYONE will benefit from contact with other strong Christians.

Trying to grow alone is like expecting to be the best relay runner, but running all legs of the race by yourself. You may be the best runner out there, but to win, you'll need others to run with you. We do need each other to be most effective!

PLEASE, do all you can to find some strong fellowship with other Christians, hopefully in an on FIRE church. If you think there isn't a godly, on FIRE church in your area, then get together with some strong Christians AND contact me and I will do my very best to find some good churches in your area. I believe there is a good church within driving distance to probably 98% of you all.

I want God's best for all of you and am here to help in any way the LORD leads!

In His Service,
Jim (BibleFood@aol.com)