Throw Some Wood On The Fire
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (MSG) "and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be she with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible."
So, how is your "fire" for the Lord? Has it gone out? Is it just the embers slowly fading? Perhaps it is the kindling just starting the fire? How big and thick is your "log for the Lord"? Is it just small pieces of kindling, several small branches, or is it a solid log? The MEF (minds eye flash) I had today, was of a fire in a really big pit. Seeing the "gifts" of God as bits and pieces of wood in this pit. It moved from little to big, back to little again. Seeing the darkness of the wood change colors as it started to blaze up. Seeing that each and every one of us are given these pieces of wood when we receive the free gift of salvation from/by/through Jesus. Actually, the pit if FULL of wood! Small, medium, long, short, thick, big.... Each type of wood represents different stages in our spiritual life, our growth as a Christian. First the pit just had the little kindling pieces in it: they are the pieces of excitement that catch afire quickly and run fast to all of the pieces laid in the bottom, under the other types of wood when we first become a Christian. So excited to share the Good News and excitement with everyone around us! Then those little sticks, start to catch fire to pieces of wood, that are bigger, thicker, but not fully logs. These represent the time devoted to learning, study, and being involved in small groups/life groups. They are a bit slower to catch fire, to reign in the understanding of sorts. But then, when they catch fire - wow! The flames that shoot up and dance around waving here and there, spreading its warmth to anyone on the outside. The glow and shine, dances and jumps as it grows in strength as the wood takes hold of the flame, and increases in size and warmth.
Now, this is where a lot of us kind of sit back and rest, or maybe even back up away from the heat and flames. Some even walk away from the safety of the pit, stepping away from looking at the brightness of the flames and feeling the warmth of the heat. However, there are a few, that listen to these verses and "fan the flames" or "keep that ablaze". How? By adding more wood to the fire! Small pieces, medium pieces, and big 'ol fat hunkin logs! Now, not only is the pit filled with a bed or foundation of the burning embers, that keep any new pieces of wood thrown on top "ignited" but now, there are pieces of wood that are holding up other pieces. Some are cracking and breaking under the heat and or pressure from the logs on top - but they do NOT lose their flame. As the fire grows, so does the warmth and light. The dancing of the flames that change colors as they are blown here and there from the wind caused by the fire itself - is like the passions that God puts in us when the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us! Notice, that when the fire gets even bigger: it stretches really high at times into the sky, jumping almost out of the pit! Dancing, making music with the many sounds of the different pieces of wood piled inside. As the wood burns, the sparks fly too. This is the excitement that comes from sharing Jesus with others! The tiny bits of "spark" that we pass on to others who are curious and asking questions.
I see this awesome pit in my life. Many times, I have let the flame nearly go out. But then thank goodness, the Holy Spirit throws another log on the fire, and I get the chance to "fan the flames" and make the fire grow again. My belief, faith, assurance of who I am in Jesus and who He is - what He does, how He IS in each and everything in my life - well, dances like those flames! He allows me to be excited and jump around and let my sparks fly with my weight loss journey. He knows my heart is helping others and just "loving" each person where they are in their journey. I am very honored that He provides comfort, compatibility, and shared experiences for me to share with others. He is amazing at fanning the flames He has set ablaze in me! I am truly thankful!
My question to you today is this: how is your fire? What type of wood is in your pit? Do you need to let some of the wood burn and take hold so it can keep the big 'ol log burning? Does your pit look empty and just have a tiny bit of ember in it? Don't "smother" it! But ask the Lord to put just the right kindling over the little embers in there - then allow Him to get your fire going again. Then, add in the kindling of sharing your faith with others. Good, bad, different - others NEED your sparks to help their fire along too. Perhaps, your fire is going strong, burning bright! Yay!! Then don't walk away and trust that it will keep burning all on its own. You still need to "tend to it" and fan the flames to share and spread to others. Go ahead, throw some wood on your fire! It can be small bits of kindling, medium pieces of wood/logs - OR it can be a big 'ol fat, hunkin' log!! Trust that Jesus is going to be there helping you each and every step of the way, to fan that fire and keep it burning! I'm excited for how the Lord is going to "warm you up" today with the sparks and flames in your fire pit!! Be well, be safe, be blessed! KNOW that you ARE loved!!
So, how is your "fire" for the Lord? Has it gone out? Is it just the embers slowly fading? Perhaps it is the kindling just starting the fire? How big and thick is your "log for the Lord"? Is it just small pieces of kindling, several small branches, or is it a solid log? The MEF (minds eye flash) I had today, was of a fire in a really big pit. Seeing the "gifts" of God as bits and pieces of wood in this pit. It moved from little to big, back to little again. Seeing the darkness of the wood change colors as it started to blaze up. Seeing that each and every one of us are given these pieces of wood when we receive the free gift of salvation from/by/through Jesus. Actually, the pit if FULL of wood! Small, medium, long, short, thick, big.... Each type of wood represents different stages in our spiritual life, our growth as a Christian. First the pit just had the little kindling pieces in it: they are the pieces of excitement that catch afire quickly and run fast to all of the pieces laid in the bottom, under the other types of wood when we first become a Christian. So excited to share the Good News and excitement with everyone around us! Then those little sticks, start to catch fire to pieces of wood, that are bigger, thicker, but not fully logs. These represent the time devoted to learning, study, and being involved in small groups/life groups. They are a bit slower to catch fire, to reign in the understanding of sorts. But then, when they catch fire - wow! The flames that shoot up and dance around waving here and there, spreading its warmth to anyone on the outside. The glow and shine, dances and jumps as it grows in strength as the wood takes hold of the flame, and increases in size and warmth.
Now, this is where a lot of us kind of sit back and rest, or maybe even back up away from the heat and flames. Some even walk away from the safety of the pit, stepping away from looking at the brightness of the flames and feeling the warmth of the heat. However, there are a few, that listen to these verses and "fan the flames" or "keep that ablaze". How? By adding more wood to the fire! Small pieces, medium pieces, and big 'ol fat hunkin logs! Now, not only is the pit filled with a bed or foundation of the burning embers, that keep any new pieces of wood thrown on top "ignited" but now, there are pieces of wood that are holding up other pieces. Some are cracking and breaking under the heat and or pressure from the logs on top - but they do NOT lose their flame. As the fire grows, so does the warmth and light. The dancing of the flames that change colors as they are blown here and there from the wind caused by the fire itself - is like the passions that God puts in us when the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us! Notice, that when the fire gets even bigger: it stretches really high at times into the sky, jumping almost out of the pit! Dancing, making music with the many sounds of the different pieces of wood piled inside. As the wood burns, the sparks fly too. This is the excitement that comes from sharing Jesus with others! The tiny bits of "spark" that we pass on to others who are curious and asking questions.
I see this awesome pit in my life. Many times, I have let the flame nearly go out. But then thank goodness, the Holy Spirit throws another log on the fire, and I get the chance to "fan the flames" and make the fire grow again. My belief, faith, assurance of who I am in Jesus and who He is - what He does, how He IS in each and everything in my life - well, dances like those flames! He allows me to be excited and jump around and let my sparks fly with my weight loss journey. He knows my heart is helping others and just "loving" each person where they are in their journey. I am very honored that He provides comfort, compatibility, and shared experiences for me to share with others. He is amazing at fanning the flames He has set ablaze in me! I am truly thankful!
My question to you today is this: how is your fire? What type of wood is in your pit? Do you need to let some of the wood burn and take hold so it can keep the big 'ol log burning? Does your pit look empty and just have a tiny bit of ember in it? Don't "smother" it! But ask the Lord to put just the right kindling over the little embers in there - then allow Him to get your fire going again. Then, add in the kindling of sharing your faith with others. Good, bad, different - others NEED your sparks to help their fire along too. Perhaps, your fire is going strong, burning bright! Yay!! Then don't walk away and trust that it will keep burning all on its own. You still need to "tend to it" and fan the flames to share and spread to others. Go ahead, throw some wood on your fire! It can be small bits of kindling, medium pieces of wood/logs - OR it can be a big 'ol fat, hunkin' log!! Trust that Jesus is going to be there helping you each and every step of the way, to fan that fire and keep it burning! I'm excited for how the Lord is going to "warm you up" today with the sparks and flames in your fire pit!! Be well, be safe, be blessed! KNOW that you ARE loved!!
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