Where Is The Fire?
1 Kings 18:38 – “Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, Elijah and the prophets of Baal came to my attention. Then, the Gospel of Luke completed the musing.
On Mt. Carmel, the confrontation between Elijah and Jezebel’s spiritual army offers powerful insight and encouragement. In 1 Kings 18:38, we read, “Then the fire of the LORD fell…” The fire is important, but don’t miss the “then.” What led up to the Fire Falling! What brought the Fire?
The first thing Elijah did was challenge the people about their commitment. The second was to rebuild God’s altar. Not just any altar but the altar of sacrifice and commitment to God. This signifies giving God a place in the heart. The third thing was to saturate the altar and sacrifice with water (prayer). The fourth thing was a recommitment and review of the Covenant. The fifth thing was a simple prayer – Then the Fire Fell! The sixth thing was the removal of the evil. If we want the Fire, we must restore the altar!
In Luke 17, we have a powerful message on restoring the altar and having the Fire! You will say, “What?” I contend that is the message. Jesus taught about forgiveness! I suggest that forgiveness is rebuilding the altar.
The disciples were stunned by the message of constant perpetual forgiveness from us to others (the same forgiveness we get from God). Then in verses 7-10, what seems unrelated is germane. The doing of responsibility is tied to forgiveness and rebuilding the altar.
It is a message that we dare not think we are super saints if we practice forgiveness. No, it is simply doing what is expected and required. It is normal Christianity. It’s impossible for the flesh, but possible through God.
We want the Fire, but we fail to rebuild the altar, soak it with prayer, and then follow through. Fire! Where is the Fire?
LORD, help us to have the Fire of God!
Deny Self – How, Why?
Luke 9:23 – “And He was saying to them, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, what can I say but WOW! I was moved by more than I can convey. My journey began in 2 Samuel 21, when Israel was enduring severe conditions. David sought God’s presence, not just relief. The key is that God’s presence is the answer.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus revealed how to develop a genuine relationship with Him. He said we must “deny self.” No more self-centeredness. If we truly examined our lives, how many decisions are based on “self”?
He said, “Take up his cross DAILY.” We focus on our Cross rather than His Cross and miss a key word, “daily.” It is an ongoing relationship, not a one-time experience.
Then He said the ultimate key – “Follow Me.” Every decision, every word, every action, and every thought is to be His. What would Jesus do is not the focus; what Jesus is doing in and through us is.
The Christian life is Impossible for the flesh. We can’t live “for” God until we live “in” Him. Until He is “in” us, living “through” us, we expend energy trying to do the impossible.
Try doing Luke 6:27-35; by your own willpower, you will make frustration your constant companion. But when Jesus lives through you, His yoke becomes easy and His burden light. The only way to live “for” God is “through” God. You can’t! He can! It’s time to do as David and seek His presence!
Father, help us to learn to Deny Self so that we can Live to and through Jesus!
Satisfied
Luke 5:39 – “And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I was drawn to the thought of being SATISFIED! Please understand that being satisfied is not the same as being complacent.
There are two types of satisfaction. That is especially true when it comes to spiritual matters. Luke 5:39 – “And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.'”
Think about that. The purposes of God require continual growth in grace and understanding of the things of God. It requires being stretched and expanded so we can mature in Christ. It requires stepping out onto unfamiliar ground and into uncharted waters, totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. It requires new wine and new wineskins. It requires pruning, correction, and dying to self. It does not feel safe because it does not allow routine and the status quo.
However, many believers are satisfied with the old wine and the continuation of the old. It is safe! They are satisfied with the status quo. They are satisfied to have the routine, the familiar, and live in the confidence of what they know and are accustomed to having.
If we are going to see the Kingdom Come and the Will Done, here and now, then the status quo is unacceptable! If we are to have active faith in operation, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to shake us and shape us. New Wine in New Wineskins!
Luke 5:17-20 is the account of the paralytic brought by 4 men and let down through the roof to Jesus. In v. 20, Jesus SAW their faith! Saw It? What did He see? He saw what they did. He saw their persistence. He saw their expectations. He saw New Wineskins presented to house the New Wine of healing. Status Quo was a resounding NO for them. Healing was the goal, and nothing would hinder them. They said NO to Status Quo. How about us?
Lord help us to seek satisfaction, but never allow ourselves to become complacent!
The Overflow
Matthew 12:34 – “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, one word echoed in my mind – Overflow. That began yesterday. Today, as I read about David at a time, his men considered stoning him, and he encouraged himself in the LORD. (1 Samuel 30:6)
Then I read in Mark 16:15-18, Jesus’ Commission, Promise, and bequeathal of Power. This assignment was monumental and mountainous. As I read, the Spirit reminded me of the word “Overflow.” In Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45, Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- Abundance (perisseuma) = abundance, surplus, overflow.
- Heart (kardia) = heart, but not the physical organ. Rather, the seat of thought or being.
Our words justify and condemn us. Our words are a reflection of who and what we are. Our words are thoughts brought to life and light. The question is, what is overflowing in our hearts? What is the surplus in our hearts?
To fulfill our assignment, we must become saturated with Jesus and His Spirit. Out of that surplus (the uncontainable deposit in us), we speak and act. It’s time to examine the overflow! Are we fulfilling our assignment? If not, could it be that we are not saturated enough to overflow? What is most important in life? That’s what we are filled with!
Lord, help us to seek You above everything! Help us to become crammed full of You and Your Spirit. Help us to overflow with You! We overflow with something; let it be You!
The Supply
Mark 11:25-26 – “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26 [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”].”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the thought of “Supply” captured my heart. We focus on need, and Jesus focuses on supply. We focus on lack, and Jesus focuses on abundance. We focus on the temporal, but Jesus focuses on the eternal. Do you see a problem? Wrong thinking leads to wrong believing, and wrong believing leads to wrong living.
Jesus warned of the doctrines of the Pharisees and the government. The disciples made it totally natural. Jesus’ reminder of the feeding of the multitude twice conveyed the message – God is the Supply! If He did this with natural bread, what might He do with the spiritual?
In Mark 11, we have the Fruitless Fig Tree. Leaves indicate fruit. Leaves are what can be seen. Jesus’ response to appearance but no fruit was to reject it completely.
He used the incident as a teaching tool. He explained miraculous faith. Not hope but faith. Faith has vision and expectation. Faith sees it done! Today, that is woefully rare. We try to believe rather than believing.
We miss the key to the supply. That is found in verses 25-26. Forgiveness. Not only does unforgiveness endanger our eternity, but it also limits our present. God will not honor unforgiveness. That would violate His nature.
Luke 6:38 is a powerful revelation of God! What we give is what we receive. What we sow is what we reap. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus’ attention was captured by giving. No, this is not about money, but it can include money.
Two kinds of giving took place. All was proportional. The Widow gave out of her lack. The rich give out of their surplus. It is far easier to give when you don’t feel the pain. She gave all, they gave some. She gave her life; they gave money.
Now, use Luke 6:38 here. The proportions are important. The essence of the gift and how it impacts the giver is important. She gave her all, so the principle is, she will get God’s all in return. Her lack turned into her supply. They gave a little of themselves, so a little of God will be their return. This could be giving of anything!
Supply is connected to what we give. What we give is connected to what we believe. What we believe is connected to our relationship with Him! It flows out of our surrender! Total surrender brings total supply.
LORD, enable us to tap into the divine supply!
Roy's Covenant Corner 