Fire is a beautiful thing. I love nothing more than to sit around a fire, with friends and family, roasting marshmallows.
Definition: 1. combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke.
?2. a burning sensation in the body.
Fire refines, purifies, and burns.
Where am I going with this? That is the same question I asked God. Where are You going with this, God? I turned to scripture:
– Exodus 3:2 – angel appeared in flames of fire from within a bush
– Deuteronomy 4:24 – the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God
– Jeremiah 23:29 – “ Is not my word like fire.” Declares the Lord.
– Matthew 3:11 – He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire
– Acts 2:3 – tongues of fire
– 1 Corinthians 3:13 – revealed by fire, fire will test each person’s work
– Malachi 3:2 – refiners fire
– Isaiah 4:4 – wash with fire
– Leviticus 6:9-13 – the fire on the altar must keep burning
These are just a few of the scriptures I found that talk about fire. I have been asking for more. More of God and more of what He has for me. In reality, all I’m asking for is love. More = love. Because Jesus is love and all that is in Him is love. When we ask Him for more all we are saying is God I want deeper love. When we experience His depth of love we can’t help but give it out. It overflows.
While all of the scriptures are important and show us a little more about fire the one that struck me the most was Matthew 3:11. Baptized with the Holy Spirit and FIRE. Wow that sounds intense and I want it. What does it mean to be baptized with fire? I found this quote,
“When this fire gets in a person, that person’s life changes at that instance. Everything in the world becomes valueless, even his/her own life, and his/her total focus becomes Jesus Christ and carrying out the great commission. At this point, dying for the ministry is not an issue and one is ready to be persecuted (die) for the gospel. The fire burns inside an individual that the person cannot rest. All s/he thinks, needs and wants is to preach and teach God’s word 24/7. It is a fire that burns so furious to be radiated.”
The preaching and teaching is all about LOVE. The burning sensation I feel inside my chest is the love of the father overwhelming me with His love for me and for His people. The reason I fall in love with every country and every culture is because He loves them so deeply. As I spend time with Him I can’t help but feel that love too. I get to sit in His overflow.
With fire comes power. You can create, destroy, and provide. It’s all about remembering the authority we walk in as co-heirs with Christ.
I was reading this book, “The Veil” by Blake K. Healy this week. It is an intense book but oh so good! At one point he says something that has been constantly on my mind. He reminds us of the power and authority we walk in.
“The words we speak in the physical realm move mountains and bend destinies in the spirit realm. Here, you encourage someone; there, you give the tools to climb out of a pit. Here, you lay your hand on someone’s shoulder; there, you’re marking a life for a blessing. Here, you say a simple prayer; there, the host of heaven receive their battle commands. Here, you sing a pretty song; there, you stand in the throne room of God, releasing glory to the King of all kings. Here, you drop a check in an offering bin; there, you set your crown at His feet. On Earth you pray for a sick person; in heaven you are a coheir with Christ pouring the bounty of His kingdom onto His children.”
It is all about perspective. Remember who you are and whose you are. If you feel like you are lacking in fire ask God to set a fire down in your soul that you can’t contain and you can’t control. Ask Him to make you a house of prayer where the fire on your alter may never burn out. Let that fire burn within you. And let that fire become an area of overflow. Let it become like a raging wildfire where everyone around you is affected by it.
