Title: Keep the Fire Burning

Introduction:

In a small, unknown town, there once stood a little church. One night, a fire engulfed the church, drawing the attention of many people who hadn't been seen in a while. Sarcastically, one man remarked to the preacher, "I haven't seen this church on fire in a while!" This humorous story reflects the attitude of many believers who seek an external source to ignite their passion for God. However, true worship begins within us, and we must cultivate the fire of the Holy Spirit and God's power in our lives every day.

The Holy Ghost and Fire:

During John the Baptist's time, he preached repentance and baptized people accordingly. Yet, he prophesied that someone greater would come after him, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Water baptism alone does not bring salvation or ongoing redemption; it is through the Holy Spirit's fire that we receive power from God.

Understanding the Fire:

Fire, as defined by a dictionary, is the active principle of burning, characterized by heat and light. It also represents strong feelings and excitement. In our spiritual lives, the fire of the Holy Spirit serves various purposes. It sanctifies, satisfies, justifies, and purifies us. This fire is the power of God within us, continually cleansing our minds from sin and life's pollution.

The Importance of Power:

Without power, we become vulnerable and susceptible to negative influences. It is crucial to have equal or greater power than those around us. We must not allow anyone to drain our power or pull us down. We need power to face life's challenges, troubles, and pressures. With Jesus and His power, we can handle anything that comes our way.

Maintaining the Fire:

God commanded Moses to ensure that the fire on the altar never went out. The altar needed to be continually prepared for sacrificial offerings on behalf of Israel's sins. Similarly, we are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God, which He accepts through the fire of the Holy Spirit. Our fire must never go out, and we must offer ourselves to God with power.

Threats to the Fire:

Ashes, the remnants of what has been burned, pose a threat to the fire. The priests were responsible for removing the ashes daily. These ashes symbolize what remains of sin and can potentially reignite sinful behavior. We must daily rid ourselves of the ashes that threaten our fire. Additionally, troubles, trials, heartaches, and other negative circumstances can extinguish our fire if we are not careful.

Fueling the Fire:

To keep the fire burning, we need to put another log on it daily. The best fuel for our fire is the Word of God. We must read and study the Bible, allowing its truth to ignite and sustain our fire. Prayer is another essential log for our fire. We need sincere and fervent prayer, talking to God like we truly need His help. We must not settle for watered-down versions of the Gospel or prayer but seek the genuine power of God.

Conclusion:

God calls us to keep our fire burning, never letting it go out. We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If our fire has dimmed or gone out, we must return to the altar and seek the Holy Spirit's fire. We need this fire to burn away sin, troubles, diseases, stress, and all the challenges life throws at us. Let us fuel our fire with the Word of God and fervent prayer. May our lives be a testimony of a burning fire for God, just like in the days of old when believers were on fire for Him.

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