Our God Is A Consuming Fire.

     Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
                     Hebrews 12:28-29 NASB

Longing For the Presence of God.

     Are you stuck in a spiritual rut? Are you tired of the same old religious way of doing things? Is your Christianity empty? Does it leave you with an aching void?
     I believe countless numbers of people can relate to questions like these. They believe in Christ, they go to church, they call themselves Christians, but they are empty.
     Look at the very beginning. Adam and Eve fellowshipped with God. It was sin, their disobedience that caused them to hide from His presence (Genesis 3:8). God's presence was with the nation of Israel in a pillar of fire by night, and a cloud by day (Exodus 13:21). He met with Moses at the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:9-11).
     When the Israelites made the golden calf and worshipped it, God was angered and threatened to destroy them. Moses intervened on their behalf and God spared them, however He would not go with them any longer. His presence meant so much to Moses, that if God would not go with them, it was over! They would not go (Exodus 33:15-16).
     Throughout the history of Israel God's presence was with them, symbolized by the ark of testimony, which was placed in the most holy place. It was only when they turned from God to worship idols that He departed from them (Ezekiel 10:18-19). The glory of God filled the tent of meeting in the wilderness. It also filled the temple in the days of Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:1-2).
     This is what was important! This is what really mattered. The presence of God, the manifestation of His glory, in the midst of His people. Without this everything else was really meaningless. Worship was empty. The rituals were only rituals.
    This is what we need today! Worship is empty, sermons are dry, religious things are meaningless without the presence of God in our midst!
     We need to get back to the worship of God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). The way to the most holy place has been opened for us (Hebrews 10:19-25). We can enter into the very presence of God. We can daily live in His presence as we live each moment of every day in His strength and for His glory. 
     Knowing and serving Christ was never meant to be empty and dry. It is a vibrant life full of purpose and joy, as we go on in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Contending for the Faith: The fear of the Lord.

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Don't Neglect Your Gift!

     There are many of us Christians who have had burdens for lost souls, a heart for revival, and a passion to see the church built up and edified. We may have at one time labored in the strength of the Lord to see these things accomplished for Christ. 
    It seems like we often let other things slip in and get us off track. We let our urgency wane. We grow lazy in our prayer life, our zeal for the service of the Lord grows cool.
     Paul exhorted Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift that was within him (1 Timothy 4:14). It is so easy to neglect the spiritual gifts that God has placed within each one of us. The world clamors to get our attention. Christian! God has gifted you. Do not neglect it!
     If it has been lying dormant in your life you need to fan it into flame once again (2 Timothy 1:6). Get filled afresh with the spirit of God, and walk in your calling! Let God use you for His kingdom and glory.

Determination.

     The account of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2:1-14 contains a great lesson for us. Look at the determination of Elisha as he follows Elijah from place to place. At each stop Elijah asks him to stay, but Elisha is determined to go on with him.
     We see why when Elijah asks what he could do for him before God took him. Elisha wanted a double portion of the anointing of God that rested upon Elijah. If he was not persistent in his pursuit of God's anointing, he would have never received it!
     This is the same principle that Jesus taught us through the example of the Syrophoenician woman's persistent faith (Matthew 15:21-28).
     If we would prevail with God, if we would receive the blessing, if we would see God pour out His Spirit upon us, upon our churches and communities, we must come with a bold determination that will not let go until the blessing comes (Genesis 32:26).

White Hot!

  Jesus would have us to be white hot in our service to Him. In Romans 12:11 we are exhorted to be diligent, and fervent in spirit.
     To be fervent in spirit is to be on fire for Christ. Someone who is white hot will set those on fire who are around them. A Christian full of the Holy Ghost and fire will accomplish much for the kingdom of God. Souls will come under conviction of sin, repent and be saved. Backsliders will be reclaimed. The dry will be kindled into flame!
     Get full of the Spirit! Be white hot, on fire for Christ! Spread revival fire wherever you go!