I
was amazed when I read that God lit the original fire on the brazen altar. That
is why the Israelites carried coals with them from that fire in all of their
wanderings, and the priests kept the fire lit at all times (Leviticus 9:24).
As
we bring an acceptable offering to God, He consumes it with His holy fire, and
we too rejoice in His pleasure and we fall on our face with humility and
thanksgiving.
The
Word of God clearly states that the Kingdom of Heaven is righteousness, peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). His Kingdom is not about the
tangible physical aspects of life, but about our spiritual passion resulting
from God moving into our spirit.
So
often, we lose persistence, hope and confidence in our ministry for the Lord.
We allow the passion of our fire for God to go out, and we end up forfeiting
the promised rewards that come with serving Him (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:35).
Yet,
as we learn to walk in God's Spirit each moment of the day, rather than in our flesh
(Galatians 5:15-25), we exhibit God's mercy to those in our home, neighborhood,
workplace and church as God gives us an opportunity to do so.
When
we seek first God's Kingdom and pleasure rather than our own advancement and
desires, we keep His holy fire lit within our heart (1 Peter 2:5-9; Matthew
6:33).
Prayer:
Father
God, You gave us a simple job to do: to be light and salt in the earth (Matthew
5:13-16). This is impossible, however, without Your Spirit dwelling within us,
perfecting us and enabling us to be ready in season and out of season to do
Your will (2 Timothy 4:2), to preserve Your truth in the midst of sinful
humanity, and to share Your light in a world of darkness.
Help
us to make Your Kingdom our priority in our life, rather than to chase selfish
ambitions that serve no heavenly purpose. Remind us that selfish pursuits are
wood, hay and stubble and will burn up in the end (1 Corinthians 3:12); but
what we do for Your Kingdom is lasting and provides us with rewards that last
for eternity.
Thought
for the Day:
The
most powerful force in the world is a heart on fire for God, seeking only His
will for every thought, word and deed; we make eternal pursuits our priority
since we are merely sojourners on this earth.
- 1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 Chronicles
29:14-16
