GOD MAKES HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE
For our ‘God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29) ,”Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.” (Hebrews 1:7).
When we are called to ministry as a servant of God, we have a duty to yield to God’s love and open our hearts to Him. He enters into us, and becomes within us a consuming fire, not to ourselves, but to the evil within us. So that, in a very deep and blessed sense, we may be said to dwell with the devouring fire, and to walk amid the eternal burnings.(M. B. Meyer, B. A.)
He gave us the necessary gifts to function in the office that he has called us to. “As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10-11). Our dependence is on God for sustenance and guidance to enable us to succeed and obey all His commandments. Meanwhile, we can’t do these things without God’s help: “For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Though we operate in Jesus’ name, to which every knee must bow, we also receive daily guidance from the Holy Spirit to reveal the mysteries of Heaven to us and to guide us properly in this world.
The LORD wants to ignite His Ministers as flames of fire and set them over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant. ” (Jeremiah 1:10).No one could stop them (Acts 28:31).
A FLAME OF FIRE
A flame is the visible, gaseous part of a fire. There can be no flame without the fire, “because you can do nothing without Me.”(John 15:5). The source of our flames must not be extinguished. “Be sober and watch; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8).
The flames of a fire have several different colors. The colors in the flames represent the different substances that are undergoing combustion in the fire. Hotter fires burn with more energy, which is why they are different colors than cooler fires. Although red usually means hot or danger, in fires it indicates cooler temperatures. While blue represents cooler colors to most, it is the opposite in fires, meaning they are the hottest flames. When all the flame colors combine, the color is white-blue, which is the hottest. What is the color and intensity of our flame in God? Are you blue or red?
“Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.” (1 Corinthians 3:13)
FLAME CARRIERS
There Are Three Kinds of Flame Carriers:
1. THOSE WHO HAVE A LOW FLAME
When you don’t like what you’re doing, your desire and passion are low, and you will never be very good at it. When you are being forced to do your duty as a chorister in a church or a minister that is sluggish in his duty, Proverbs tells us that a lazy person hates work: “The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor” (Proverbs 21:25); he loves sleep: “As a door turns on its hinges, so a slothful turns on his bed” (Proverbs 26:14); he gives excuses: “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets’” He wastes time and energy: “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great waster” (Proverbs 18:9 KJV); he believes he is wise, but is a fool: “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly” (Proverbs 26:16).
They are not effective in God’s household and will not get anything from Him. “A lazy man’s soul desires and has nothing”; (Proverbs 13:40, “for God is a rewarder of those who seek him diligently” (Hebrews 11:6).
2. THOSE WHO HAVE NO FLAME
They burned out, because of wrong priorities, societal pressures, or probably lack of knowledge to carry out their Christian duty, “Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge” (Proverbs 19:2). They lack the passion to drive their God-given purpose, and they are like flame killers to other Christians. Pray for them and avoid them.
“Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and offences against the doctrine you have learned, and avoid them. For they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and they deceive the hearts of the simple with good words and fair speeches”.(Romans 16:17-18)
3. THOSE WHO ARE ABLAZE WITH FIRE!
They are active for Christ, “doing their heavenly father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Jesus knew what he was called to do, and he refused to allow anything to stand in the way of doing it. Aligning your priorities with your passion empowers you to face problems with greater energy and enthusiasm. Your flame will always burn brightest when you are actively pursuing your ministry and pouring your life into others.
Remember that “each one’s work will become clear; for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13).
https://mountzionblog.org/god-makes-his-ministers-a-flame-of-fire/
KEEP THE FLAME GLOWING
“Get on fire for God and men will come and see you burn.” (John Wesley)
1. FEED THE FLAMES WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
Jesus said that “man should not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. (Matthew 4:4).Therefore, “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“Let the law of the Lord be your delight” (Psalm 1:2), “and this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success” (Joshua 1:8), “because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 13:11).
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105).
2. STUFF THE FURNACE WITH PRAYER.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).Prayer is the oxygen you use to stoke the flames. Spending time in prayer is spending time in the presence of God, and the presence of God is the air that our souls need to be on fire.
Oswald Chambers put it bluntly: “Prayer is the vital breath of the Christian; not the thing that makes him alive, but the evidence that he is alive.” When you pray, you are breathing. You are taking in the vital element that gives life to your soul.
Therefore, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). Adoration, praise, Thanksgiving, petition, supplication, or intercession are all types of prayers.
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything, make your requests known to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.(Philippians 4:6)
3.WORSHIP GOD DILIGENTLY.
“God is a Spirit,” and those who worship him must do so in spirit and truth.(John 4:24), Go beyond your comfort zone; Offer up sacrifices of praise with your lips to higher degrees than you are comfortable with. Make praise and worship a real sacrifice of your self-consciousness and self-inhibition.
“Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to his excellent greatness” (Psalm 150:2).
Make a decision that you will praise God in a more vocal, uninhibited way this year than ever before. Challenge yourself to learn how to raise your hands, kneel in worship, and even get flat on your face. “Give the LORD the glory that is due to his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Psalms 29:2).
“I will worship at your holy temple and praise your name for your goodness and truth, for you have exalted your word above all other names (Psalm 138:2); “Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
4. DON'T RESIST THE MOVE OF THE HOLY GHOST.
Is there anything in your life that is hindering the move of God in your church? Are you resisting doing something or giving up something that you know the spirit is tapping you on the shoulder about?
Do you have mindsets or mentalities that are contrary to allowing the Holy Spirit to move? Remember that “God resists the proud, but only gives His grace to the humble (James 4:6).” When we block God’s Spirit, we also block His power working in us.
When God gives us a specific task for the sake of the kingdom, do not resist the Holy Ghost as your fathers did (Acts 7:51); and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; you shall keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve and cling to Him.(Deuteronomy 13:4)
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
https://mountzionblog.org/god-makes-his-ministers-a-flame-of-fire/
5. FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER.
The sin of un-forgiveness can quench our flames and it has put many people on the path to hell. If God can forgive you for your deepest, darkest sins, why can’t you forgive others for the smallest things? You repent and ask God to forgive you, but you can’t do the same. The things people don’t want to forgive others for are things they have done themselves. He slandered me, I can’t forgive him. Well, have you ever slandered someone before?
“Offenses are unavoidable; but woe betide the person through whom they come!”(Luke 17:1). “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice; “and when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also, which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses” Mark 11:25.
“Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive” (Colossians 3:13) and do not give the Devil an opportunity to quench your flame (Ephesians 4:27). Remember that love covers over all wrongs (Proverbs 10:21).
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; only those who do My Father’s will will enter.”(Matthew 7:21)
6. MOVE YOUR FLAMES CLOSER TO OTHER FLAMES.
You can be sure that when Elisha saw Elijah go to heaven in a fiery chariot, he was affected by the heat.
Get as close as possible to those who are burning for God, and you will be ignited, and help other flame carriers to keep burning too. ” Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.(Proverbs 27:17). Let all your church members’ flames be glowing, and the devil will not have any chance among you, and you will jointly reject the doctrines of Nicolaitans and Balaam, which Jesus hates (Revelation 2:15).
Spiritual passion is ignited when it is being used to serve others. Start using the gifts and talents that God has given you to help others. Every believer in Jesus has been given gifts and talents, and you are no exception. You must face your fears and stretch your faith as you begin to step out, but soon you will find there is no greater joy than being an instrument of the Holy Ghost to bless people.
When you become obedient to stop burying your gifts and talents and start investing them in the lives of others, "then you will be given even more to offer" (Matthew 25:14) and "your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men" (Proverbs 18:16)
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.(1 Timothy 4:14); As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. So then, "each of us shall give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).
SPREAD THE FLAME
The biggest thing you can do to raise your spiritual temperature and light the fire of God in your life is to spread your flame. Please share the gospel with the unbelievers in your neighborhood.
"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3), and "he who wins souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). "Those who turn a sinner from the error of their way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins (James 5:20);
Speak of your faith, share your testimony and “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16).
"Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:31).
Now stoke those flames and get on fire for God.
CONCLUSION
The LORD is igniting several ministers as flames of fire, who will come in God’s power and authority to rekindle the flames that have died out and rekindle the embers that have been left smoldering in the lives of those who have lost their zeal. They will come in My Might and with My Authority, ablaze with My Glory. They will rekindle the fire in those in the Fivefold Ministry, releasing them back into their position, as well as those who were once used in spiritual gifts but have grown weary and lost their passion.
Please join this train and let the glory of God be radiant worldwide. The Lord is looking for men who are bold to make known the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19) and to be his battle axe and weapons of war (Jeremiah 51:20). Those who are willing to lay down their lives and take up their cross and will not fear the opinions of others. They will sell out to God’s kingdom and to His end-time army.
Prepare to be set ablaze to go forth to fan the flames and stoke the fire in others. Do not be lukewarm like the church in Laodicea; “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.” I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).
May God not spit us out in Jesus’ name. Repent, and he will make you a pillar in God’s temple, and you will never have to leave (Revelation 3:12).
On the altar, there will always be a fire; it will never go out(Leviticus 6:13).
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I appreciate you for making me your flame of fire. Your word has penetrated my heart as a fire shuts up in my bones. Please keep my flame of fire burning in my spirit and enable me to speak as your oracle and be a witness for you on earth. Do not allow me to lag in diligence, but rather make me fervent in spirit at all times. Make me worthy to be called to the marriage supper of the lamb and worship you forever in Jesus name, Amen
Surely he who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20–21)
James Dina
https://mountzionblog.org/god-makes-his-ministers-a-flame-of-fire/
james@mountzionblog.org
June 11,2022
REFERENCES
1. https://firecontrolsystems.biz/news/flames-different-colors-explained/
2. Elaine Tavolacci - He Makes His Ministers Flames Of Fire.
3.Dr. George Hill’s - God Makes His Ministering Servants A Flame Of Fire.
4. Duke Taber’s - 9 Flaming Hot Ways to Stay on Fire for God.
