Leviticus 6:12-13 – “ But the fire which is on the altar must be kept burning on it. It must not be extinguished. So the priest must kindle wood on it morning by morning, and he must arrange the burnt offering on it and offer the fat of the peace offering up in smoke on it. ¹³ A continual fire must be kept burning on the altar. It must not be extinguished.

I was deeply stirred recently as I listened to a clip from Dave Wilkerson’s message.  The word ‘anguish’ gripped my heart.   Today, as I read, prayed, and meditated on God’s Word, the words ‘anguish’ and ‘fire’ filled my consciousness.

Have we lost God’s fire because anguish is absent in us and much of the church today?  Do we weep over sin?  Sin in us and the world? Have we become so anesthetized that sin no longer keeps us awake at night?  Have we become so Hollywoodized that we have super short attention spans and lose interest if something is not entertaining?  Is the gospel enough anymore?  Of course, it is, but is it to us?

Leviticus 6:13 has a repeated directive: “The fire on the altar is to be kept burning continuously.” When God repeats Himself, it’s time to pay careful attention to what He says.

Heaven is real, and hell is real.  One will be our eternal destiny.  Does the thought of Anyone going to hell give you anguish?  It does, God!  I’m stirred deep in my heart over the carnality visible in too much of modern Christianity.  It seems there is much superficiality but a lack of deep spirituality. We see sin without being devastated by it.  I am not suggesting we become legalistic with sets of rules and regulations but that we rekindle the fire on the altar of our hearts.

James 3 and 4 speak to superficiality in the heart, which allows self-centeredness to prevail. It opens the door to trouble and diminishes the presence and power of God. It blocks prayers and strips of joy.  The world is unaffected, and hell expands because of a lack of anguish over sin.

The anguish of the heart, weeping over sin, propels us into God’s presence.  Out of that condition, we not only address sin with words but manifest it in our lives in the heart of God, which brings conviction.

I’m broken today!   The question is, am I broken enough to cause genuine anguish of spirit that will transform me?  I pray so!   It is more than keeping people out of hell but introducing them to the heart of God and the life He offers! But keeping them out of hell is vital, too!

How can we say we love God and be unmoved by sin? How can what breaks God’s heart not break ours?

James 1:14-15 speaks a needed word of clarity. “Instead, it is each person’s own desires that drag them into evil and thoughts that lure them away into darkness. 15 Evil desires give birth to evil actions.” What we want, we think or focus on, then we do it.

My prayer is, “God, please break my heart and cause anguish to rekindle Your fire in me. I want Your fire continuously!”   I’m praying for each of us to receive the full measure of His grace!  God wants us to have complete victory!

Have a wonderful day!