Post by Miami on Sept 4, 2013 10:35:13 GMT -5
“Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11
The Bible commands us to be on fire for the Lord! The wonderful thing about serving Jesus Christ is that if we sign up, He makes His energy, enthusiasm, life, longevity, and zeal available to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the will of God that as each day passes you and I would burn hotter and brighter for Jesus, His work, and His people. Unfortunately this is not the case with many Christians today. It seems that the longer some people are in the Lord’s service the more these individuals burn-out or become dim in their fire and passion for their Savior and His cause.
I want to focus on what will keep us burning bright with the Spirit for serving the Lord. I believe it is not as hard as we make it. Below is a list of things that you should make a goal of checking it off daily, which if you do, the fire of the Holy Spirit will never burn out.
Fervent Prayer
Hearing and studying the Word of God
Being doers the Word of God
Intentionally demonstrating love and care for people
Expressing thanksgiving and praise unto God
Fellowship with the Believers
Cut out the noise of old ritualism
Being a witness to lost souls
I remember from my days in AR and attending Paster Floyd's church, which was a big church. He instituted connection groups in replacement of Wednesday services. He felt it was more important to follow Jesus example of meeting in small groups to fellowship in peoples homes and sharing a meal, Pray, sing, listen to music, study verses and come up with ideas on how to spread the word or get more involved. I think it really helped stoke the fires, it was also a great think tank.
I miss that, a lot of churches like the one I'm in now (which I love), have groups but there more structured and at the church facilities. I think I will make a suggestion on Sunday. It really doesn't have to be formal, it can just be a couple of Gals and/or Guys getting together to talk about The Lord.
Our church is always a place of Worship, praising The Lord, teaching and learning. But I've heard a lot lately about getting out of the 4 walls of the church sometimes to do Gods work. Think outside of the box, we were never supposed to be in a box. Also getting out of old rituals and not being afraid to go against the grain, or understand what Jesus said :
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." He knew family's and friends would be divided on his behalf, but necessary to to pick up the cross and follow him. Its one of the hardest things to do in advancing our Spiritual walk. We so want to conform and be liked by everyone, or our group. But, it's just not the way.
Anyway, my thoughts that come from scripture to go along with the thoughts above about the fire, a collection of things I found on the subject.