| There is
an intensity with which we can serve God that will ensure our devotion. God’s
word encourages us todevelop that yearning for Him and to take hold of it in
such a way that we become too convicted toward Him to letit go. It is often
described as a burning fire. (Psalm 39:3, Jer. 20:9)The fire is going out
when I am ____________ _______________ (Matt. 5:6, 1 Pet.2:1-3) or when I am
not________________ and ___________________ for God. (Ps. 42:1-2; 63:1-2;
84:2; 107:9)When I no longer am ___________________ for God, it’s time to
check the fire. (Psalm 122:1)Sometimes the fire is ___________________ out.
(Matt.13:7,22; Heb.13:5-6; 1 Tim. 6:9-11)The fire is fading when I find it
difficult to ____________________________. (Saul, 1 Sam.13:8-12; 15:10-11,13-14)It’s
hard to have the fire burn when I am dampened by _____________________. (John
12:42-43)I need to keep the fire burning! A. For my own sake (2 Cor. 5:10),
for endurance and renewal. (2 Cor.4:16; Rom.12:2) B. For the Lord’s church
(Eph. 4:16; Rom. 14:19) for my part in building the fire. (1 Cor.12:12-14) C.
For my family’s salvation, my children and beyond. (Eph.6:4, Deut. 6:6-9)How
do I do it? A. Fires need fuel to burn; more fuel makes a hotter fire! (Phil.
4:8; Jer. 15:16; Heb.4:12) B. Create the best environment. (Phil.3:17; Psalm
37:37) C. Keep a close watch on the fire. (2 Cor.13:5; Phil. 3:13-14) |
