Would You Extinguish Your Flame?

Don't put out the fire!
 

 

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire."  (I. Thess. 5:19)

 

As a child, my Dad would often grill steak for us.  At one point, all he had was a small piece of grate-like metal with short legs attached.  As a welder, I believe it was something he fashioned himself. With it, he could simply place charcoal on the ground underneath,  and grill steak anywhere we camped or even at home. 

One particular Sunday I recall, he grilled steaks for lunch.  Afterward, we decided to take a family "Sunday afternoon drive."  So he went outside, poured water on the charcoal, dug a trench around it and filled it with water.  After enjoying a drive through many miles of sand hills, local ponds, and less traveled roads, we returned home.  Imagine our horror as we passed a field attached to our home and it was ablaze with fire!

We quickly rushed home to discover that somehow the fire had remained kindled, and in fact, jumped over a trench of water to set scores of acres on  fire.  Miraculously, there was a path about a foot wide, all around our home, that never caught on fire.   But fields, pastures, and untamed woods were on fire as far as the eye could see!

I remember as  a child trying to help beat out the fire with burlap sacks. We dumped buckets of water.  We sprayed with hoses, all to the end of trying to avoid catching anyone's home on fire.  At one point, I was stranded in the middle of a patch of un-kindled land, with fire all around me.

Eventually the volunteer fire department arrived, and the flames were finally contained. Thankfully, no lives  or homes were lost that day.

It is amazing, that despite my Dad's efforts to quench the fire, that some remained active and jumped to find dry ground. 

In the Old Testament, worshipers of God, would make burned offerings to the Lord for many reasons.  Fire was essential to their worship.  In the New Testament, we the believers, are to offer ourselves as a sacrifice or instrument of worship.  Not literally, but figuratively.  We should  make ourselves  available  for the Holy Spirit, the Fire of God, to kindle upon us. We are to be "on fire" for the Lord. We are to be zealous.  Spirit-filled.  Passionate.  Powerful.  Anointed.

The best fires occur on nice, dry, wood.  Once it is doused with water, you get more smoke than fire.  How many times do we, as children of God, throw water on the fire of God?  Every time we choose not to obey, we quench the fire.  Every time we resist the leading of the Holy Spirit, we put out the flame.  Every time we are too distracted to hear His voice, we quench that fire.

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire" sounds to me more like an imperative, or command, than a suggestion!  We are NOT  to do it!  Are there things, habits, people, or ideas in your live that snuff out the flame of God?  Repent!  Turn back! 

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship."  (Romans 12:1)

True and proper worship! King James version calls it "your reasonable service."    It is true.  Proper.  And reasonable to expect that Christians will make  themselves a living sacrifice on which the fire of God can kindle and fan a flame... bright enough to light up our homes, communities and world for Jesus!  What is putting your fire out?

Dear Lord, forgive me for allowing other things to snuff out Your fire in my life.  Help me to be a sacrifice ready for the fire of the Holy Spirit to kindle upon.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The Person of Truth

 

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.  This is how we know that  we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.  This is love for God: to obey his commands.  And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.  This is the one who came by water and blood- Jesus Christ.  He did not come by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth."  I John 5:1-4

 

I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit! Through his ministry we can know what is true and what is false.  He convicts us of sin; he convinces us of the truth that we need to know about Jesus.  He testifies to truth, causing us to "bear witness" within ourselves about what is right and wrong. Jesus came, being born of a woman, he was fully God and fully man.  He grew up, grew in the things of God, was baptized and carried out a powerful ministry on planet earth.  But when the time came for him to look toward his death and ascension back to the right hand of the Father, he said, "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you:  but if I go, I will send him to you."    (John16:7)  Wow.  I am sure the disciples  were floored to hear that they would be better off after their Savior, Teacher, and Messiah left the world.

 

Why is it better for us that Jesus ascended  to heaven?  When he walked the earth, he could only be in one place at one time, thusly constrained by his human body.  But when he sent the Counselor, or Holy Spirit, he was made available to all believers.  He can fill me up at the same time  he fills you up.  He can be with me in America and be with you in Jamaica!  He is constantly present, teaching me things I need to learn, reminding me of things I have forgotten.  And always, always, he testifies to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.  He never does anything that is not in complete harmony with Father and Son.  What a mighty God we serve!

 

If we are to walk in victory and overcome the things of the world, we must give place to the Holy Spirit, inclining our ear and heart to his voice.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the marvelous gift of the Holy Spirit.  I am so grateful for his ministry in my life.  Help me to be a willing student with a teachable heart.     In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Sherri

 

 

 

The Inseparable Father and Son

 

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well."  I John 5:1

 

I love my children!  They are my life.  If you want me to like you, then love my children.  If you want to make an enemy of me, mistreat one of them.  Do you feel the same way?  We parents have that protective instinct that causes us to guard our children against all threats, whether real or perceived.

 

In today's verse is a similar comparison.  If you love God,  you must love his child.  That may seem like a minor point.  But in truth, it is the most important point of all.  Jesus is the way that the Father has provided for salvation. Many religions believe in God, but they vary on the way to be in right relationship with God.  This verse is one of the ones that makes it clear that the two are a package-deal.  You cannot separate the Father from the Son.  Neither can you separate the Holy Spirit from the other two.  They are all One.  The Trinity of the Godhead is a mystery that we accept by faith.

 

If we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, then we are born of God.  If we minimize his importance to that of only a great teacher or prophet,  we miss the mark.  It was the Father's good will that Jesus be his Sent One, the One who would purchase salvation and bring reconciliation through his sacrificial death on the cross.

 

As Christians, these are important truths we can never waver on.  Further, these truths must be proclaimed, that we may win others to Christ.  It is good to be tolerant and respectful of other people's opinions, but not to the point that we submerge truth.  Jesus is the way.  He is the mediator.  He is God and he was man.  He and the Father are one, and in him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

Today, take time to marvel on the beauty of the Godhead, the absolute unity in purpose, character and action.  Reflect and rejoice!

 

 

Thank you Father, for the gift of your precious Son.  Thank you for loving me that much.  Let me life be a daily affirmation of my love for you.   In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Sherri

 

 

 

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God  is love. This is how God showed his love: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us,  we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if  we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit." I John  4:1-13

 

The Holy Spirit is given to us as a "seal".  His presence is proof that we have  received salvation from Christ. Just as when you go in an amusement park, or concert,  a stamp proves you have paid and have a right to be there; the presence of the Holy Spirit is proof we are born again. 

 

I am so grateful that we do not have to walk alone.  Jesus comes to live in our heart.  He sends us the Holy Spirit to be a constant companion, teacher and comforter.  What a power package salvation is!  We are in the body of Christ, he is in our heart.  All of those wonderful prepositions show us our position in Christ.  So much of it is a marvelous mystery that I am convinced we will only fully understand when we reach heaven.

 

There are many times in life that I am tempted to doubt my salvation.  I fail, sin, or fall short and the enemy of my soul begins to whisper that I am not really saved; that I am not really right in God's  eyes.  It is at those moments that I am so grateful for the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who confirms to my Spirit that I am indeed in Christ and he is waiting to forgive and restore me fully.  His  Spirit reminds me of passages that tell me that I am the "righteousness of God in Christ Jesus."  The Holy Spirit is a powerful teacher and counselor, always directing me in the way that I should go.

 

Do you struggle with condemnation, feeling constantly unworthy and unsaved?  Begin to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit.  If you have strayed, he will convict you and guide you back to the path of righteousness. If you are in right standing with God, he will grant you confidence of your position.  The Holy Spirit is your ally.  He is your resource.  He is your helper.  He is Almighty God!   Take time today to appreciate the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit.  Thank you for all of the messes you spare me from and for all of the direction you provide to me.  Help me to live open to your voice.      In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri

 

 

 

The Teacher

 

 

"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.   This is how we know it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us.  For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.  Who is the liar?  It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Such a man is the antichrist- he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.  See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.  If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is, what he promised us- even eternal life.  I am writing  these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.  As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.  But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit- just as it has taught you, remain in him."  I John 2:18-27

 

When Jesus was  preparing to depart this earth,  he encouraged the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they were imbued with power- with the promised Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4)  We need the Holy Spirit in our lives for so many things.

When the disciples walked this earth with Jesus, they were able to observe him,  learn  from him, and hear his opinions and theology.  When he was leaving, he knew that they could not do the job he had for them to do on their own.  If they were going to carry out the Great Commission, they needed a mentor, someone to walk beside them as Jesus had done.  Thus, the Holy Spirit was sent as companion to the New Testament Church (and for modern believers as well).  He comes to teach us and make us holy.  He is the Real Deal.  He knows the heart of the Father and he knows the Bible through and through.  What better teacher could we have?

When interpreting Scripture we must always interpret it in light of other Scripture.  Other places in the Bible, we see the importance of teaching within the Body of Christ, so much so that the office of the teacher is one of the "five-fold ministry" gifts.  Instructions are given to teachers, and if the disciples were to follow Jesus' example of reproduction, they would have to tell people the Good  News of the kingdom, then disciple them on how to follow.  They would become teachers  to the new convert.  So what does this passage mean when it says you do not need a teacher?  There is no human that can take the place of the Holy Spirit in your life.  No matter who instructs you, you still need the anointing from the Holy Spirit to discern the Bible.  It is spiritually discerned.  Furthermore, no person can be with us at all times and in all situations.  But Thank God (!) the Holy Spirit can-and is- always  with us.  He can tell me don't say this, don't do that.  He can show me when some teacher is teaching me things in contrast with the truth of the Word of God.

You need the Holy Spirit's anointing for everything in your life.  He is available to help us have godly marriages, relationships, businesses and testimonies.  Listen to the Teacher, he will show you the path to walk in!

Thank you, Lord, for providing a companion, a teacher and an imparter of power into my life.  Help me to have a teachable spirit and to receive all that you have for me.  Thank you for the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Shopping Anyone?

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out, ‘Here comes the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ Matthew 25:1-8

We talked yesterday about the importance of having enough oil (representing the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit) not only for yourself, but to have enough to share with others.  Today, we will look at the flip side of the same coin- the importance on not relying on others for the oil.  Have you ever been hurt, sick or disappointed and your mind immediately rushed to locate the one person you believe can get a hold of Jesus on your behalf?  Have you ever asked someone to pray and give you advice about what they think the Lord would have you to do?

Those of us who have Godly, consistent and trustworthy prayer partners are indeed blessed.  How wonderful to have a Christian brother or sister help to bear your burden.  But at the end of the day, we have all had the experience of not being able to get help from someone else.  There are times that the Lord puts us in a position that we will have to hear from him ourselves.  There are times that the only “word” you can get from God will be found within the pages of His Word- the Bible.  As a child of God, you have to know how to read the Bible and hear from God for yourself.  You will have to develop a fruitful prayer life where you can hear the Lord’s leading yourself.

In this passage, the need to be ready for the return of the groom is so crucial, so imperative, that the virgins could not risk giving away some of their oil.  In these last days, times are hard and we need every bit of the presence of God we can receive to make it through.

Another interesting point to the verse for today is that they would need to buy oil for themselves.  They needed to make their own sacrifice.  The presence of the Holy Spirit is something that will come as you give up TV time to pray. It will come when you give up an hour’s sleep to be in your Word.  Having a rich relationship with the Lord will cost you something.  So many times we envy someone else’s anointing but we are not willing to do what they did to get it.  We want to leach strength, direction and peace from the price that they paid.

Child of God, go buy your own oil! It is precious, it is worth the cost.  It is too important a matter to leave it up to your friends and prayer partners.  I am married to a wonderful man.  Sometimes he (like me) can forget things.  When we are leaving on a trip, if I want to make sure the Grandma’s know what medication our four year old needs, I feel I need to do it myself.  I don’t want to risk him, or someone else forgetting.  We put emphasis and go the extra mile to ensure that the important matters of life are taken care of.  Are you going the distance to have the power and presence of God in your life?  If not, let today be the day you go to the spiritual ‘store’ and purchase some oil.

Dear Lord, thank you for your Spirit.  I know I can never earn it or demand more of your presence in my life.  But I ask that you honor my efforts to spend time in your presence and multiply back to me the amount I need to make it though until you return for me. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Can I Have Some of Yours?

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out, ‘Here comes the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  Matthew 25:1-8

 

Have you ever had one of those friends?  You know the ones- they want you for what you can offer them and are done with you when you have nothing to offer them?  Have you ever been one of those friends?  We all have probably found ourselves on either side of this equation, if we are honest enough to admit it.

This passage is so sad because all ten of the virgins appeared to have what they needed.  But only five had “the goods” that they were able to make a light to find themselves to the groom.  The wise ones have more than they needed.  More of the oil of the Holy Spirit than they needed for that day.  A wise Christian gets as full of the Holy Spirit as possible.  We never know in a given day what kinds of demand will be placed on the anointing of the Spirit in our lives and therefore, we must have more than enough. 

Another thing that always strikes me about the passage is how wonderful it would be if the wise had enough to share with the others.  Obviously, as this parallels the end times, we cannot bring someone else into the rapture by sharing with then.  But up until the time that we go in and the door is shut (figuratively speaking) we need to be sharing with others what we have.  When we share, we inspire others to get their own oil and be ready when the time comes that they must have it or miss out.

When I read this parable I am always arrested by the sadness of it all.  The five foolish were smarter than so many others- they were there, they had brought their lamps, they were hanging with the wise ones.  They had it all together…almost.  Almost is just not enough when it comes to the things of the Spirit.  When the day comes that the church is rejoined with Christ, there will be so many of our loved ones left behind.  So many that almost made it. They came to church.  They joined Sunday school, they carried a Bible and even forwarded Christian related emails and Facebook statuses.  But they did not quite have the relationship with the Lord that is needed.

Our time is so short.  Let us look for opportunities to share the light, to share the oil, to share the faith; one day soon it will be too late.

Dear Lord, help me to be evangelically minded.  Help me lead others to you.  Help me have enough anointing, Spirit and victory to share with others. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Cast Away

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”  Psalm 51:11

In a society where the name of the Lord is profaned and blasphemed, it is easy to forget what a privilege the presence of the Holy Spirit is.  We can never take for granted His presence in our lives. 

It is through the Spirit, that we are convicted of sin and drawn to God for salvation.  It is through His Spirit that we are encouraged, comforted, taught and led in the ways of God.  The Holy Spirit works in the life of a born-again believer as a constant companion, friend, counselor and personal trainer.  When I have anger in my heart, the Spirit of God reproves me and causes me to be aware of the sin lurking there.  When I see someone at the store, it is the Holy Spirit who impresses me to go to that person and tell them that God loves them or buy them a bag of groceries.  He knows where I need to be; what I need to say and what my heart should be at all times.

In this verse, David is pleading with God to not be cast from the presence or have the Spirit taken from Him.  He recognized his sin and realized that he was unworthy to be in the presence of Almighty God.  He was cognizant of his lack and his pervasive need of God.

We need to mimic the attitude of the psalmist.  He caught the vision that His sin could result in judgment; of him being utterly cast from God.  He also understood God’s prerogative to withdraw himself from an unworthy vessel.

Lord, don’t let my sin separate me from you or cast me out of your presence.  And please, don’t willingly remove yourself from me.  Help me make you comfortable dwelling with me.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Prayer that Works!

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much…”  James 5:16

Lately the Lord has been dealing with me about the importance of fervent or earnest prayer. So many people live with far too little margin in their life.  We are all booked up from the moment our eyes open in the morning until we fall into bed exhausted at night.  We pray “on the go” prayers.  And truthfully, this type of prayer has its place in our repertoire of prayers.  However, we run into problems when that type is our staple prayer. We need deeper times of fervent and earnest prayer.  We need to return to the old fashioned prayer closet.

I am more convinced each day that until the church of America rises up and becomes, once again, a people of prayer that life in America is going to continue to decline.  We need God in our homes, we need God in our communities, we need God in our schools, and we need God in government.  When you look in the Bible, God’s people have a tendency to side with the enemy up to the point that the bondage becomes so overwhelming, that they cry out to God in earnest.  We need to see our country return to God.  We need to do this individually, as well as corporately.

Let the Lord rekindle the flames of your prayer life today.  I urge you to take stock of where you are and begin to pray that God will make you a person of prayer who is earnest, fervent and effectual.  Work toward this high calling so that you can begin to reap the benefits of prayer availing much in your life.  If you are seeing too little fruit from your prayers, the time has come to cultivate a deeper type of prayer.  We need God’s power to be people who pray in season and out.  We have to become people who once again believe in the power of prayer and live it throughout our day.

Dear Lord, teach me to pray, just as you taught your disciples.  Infuse my prayer with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Guide me, direct me and help me to savor these times spent in communion with you.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri