"Holy Fire"
Holy Fire from heaven
Descend to us we pray
Let us burn again
Holy Fire from heaven
Consume our hearts today
Let us burn again...let us burn again

All my peeps in the house raise their hand if they're familiar with the phrase, "On fire for God"....ah yes, by the looks of it there's a good number of you who have heard it or used it before. (Forgive my imagination...I've had some late late, sleep-deprived nights watching the biggest sporting event in the world...the World Cup baby!!) :)

Anyways, it is pretty safe to say that most Christians have heard that phrase used. You come home from a camp or retreat where you feel as if God has spoken to you and you make a commitment to Him...that you wont' let the fire He lit in you die out. Or you've been on a mission trip and have been so moved by witnessing the power of Christ firsthand, that its as if you've been set ablaze for him. I know I've used it plenty of times personally...what about you? Contact me and let me know your take on it.

In my previous entry, I talked about how easy it is to feel all parched, weak, and in need of nourishment from God. Jesus talks about and the Psalms describe God as a good shepherd who leads his flock to "quiet waters", out of danger, and into "green pastures" (Psalm 23). When the prophet Elijah was running for his life...he eventually collapsed in exhaustion and was on the verge of death, and God came and fed him and nourished him.(1 Kings 19) After fasting for 40 days and being constantly tempted by the devil, Matthew 4 tells us that Jesus was immediately attended to and taken care of by angels.

It seems like its when we're the most weak or dead on the inside that God comes to us to nourish us, or in other words, put a spark in us. The thing about a spark or a small flame is that its potential is unending. However, it is really easy to put out while its still small. Think about how hard it is to keep a match lit when it is windy or wet! So when God gives us that spark on the inside, its up to us to enable it to grow...and not only enable it to grow, but to let it spread! Forest fires are, at times, impossible to stop b/c of their fury, strength, and size...however, they usually are started by a single flame or spark that can often be extinguished by a little water.

Many of you will go away to camps or mission trips this summer and come back changed....on fire. If you're not careful, that spark or flame can be put out as soon as you return home....but let me encourage you to fan into that flame so that it'll grow into a beautiful and powerful blaze! Remember, it needs to grow (through prayer, Bible study, etc.) and it needs to spread (to other people)...that way it will never go out!

Finally, you don't have to wait for a camp or mission trip to catch fire! Pray the words of the song at the beginning of this entry:
Holy Fire from heaven
Descend to us we pray
Let us burn again
Holy Fire from heaven
Consume our hearts today
Let us burn again...let us burn again

Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives..."
So ask God for it in holy expectancy...for His Holy Fire from heaven will come and consume your heart today....ask Him. Ask Him.