Calvary Pointers Morning Showers 26 September 2023 Devotional by Reverend Ajisafe Opeyemi - Keep The Fire Burning
Keep The Fire Burning
Acts 28:1-4: And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
As followers of Jesus, we cannot be close to God without our hearts being connected to Him, and our hearts will not connect to Him if our treasure leads us elsewhere.
You must understand that you can only build a fire to the extent that you overcome the excuses of your flesh.
In Acts 28, we read that Paul had many excuses: a wrecked ship, cold weather, rain, and disappointment because God did not deliver him supernaturally from the storm (like Jesus did for his disciples). These excuses could have justified Paul not building a fire, but they didn't.
It's important to recognize that life’s problems are usually temporary. Whatever your issue or struggle is, remember that the rain will stop, and the weather will change. Do not let your flesh make excuses for not building a fire.
The Scripture tells us that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. It does not say if you do not fulfill the lust of the flesh, then you will walk in the Spirit.
You can and will conquer the lust of the flesh only by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Don't allow any excuses to keep you from going to the secret place and studying God's Word. Fight against them. Do the opposite of what those emotions are trying to make you do.
Somebody will start the fire, but it’s your “logs” that will keep the fire going.
Somebody else in your life usually sparks the initial desire or love in us for the presence of God. It could sometimes be through a conference, retreat, or even a crisis in your life.
Regardless of who starts the fire, it's always our responsibility to keep that fire burning. Like in the verse above, the fire was started by the natives, but Paul went out to look for the logs to keep it burning.
Leviticus 6 says: “And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out...”
God always starts the fire, but He does not keep it burning. Someone can start your fire, but praying, fasting, giving, and reading the Bible will keep your fire going.
There are two Sauls in the Bible, and both Sauls had powerful encounters with God. However, King Saul in the Old Testament died in rebellion against God; but Saul in the New Testament was filled with the Holy Spirit, preached, and died as Paul the Apostle. Notice that the encounters they both had did not keep their fire burning. The difference between them is that the Apostle Paul kept his fire burning with prayer, the Word, and spending time in God’s presence. King Saul did not.
You have to do the same. Get some firewood every day: go to prayer meetings, read the Bible, don't forsake the assembly of brethren and give by the power of the Holy Spirit.
One thing you must be aware of when you start building a fire is that vipers will come out.
The fire doesn’t bring the snakes; it exposes the snakes in your life, which means problems that were already there will be brought to light. Snakes can be depression, pride, nightmares, sickness, disappointment, failure, setbacks, etc.
But know this: if the fire exposed it, that fire can kill it.
But as a believer, you can’t walk in dominion if you don’t have devotion. You must have your own fire which you will throw your snakes into. Don’t trust in your pastor’s or anyone else’s fire. You have the authority, and you can walk in dominion. You cannot walk in dominion if you don’t have devotion, and you can’t fight the devil if you don’t have a fire.
I hope you are challenged this morning not only to build a fire but to keep the flame burning hotter.
Good Morning!
God bless you.
#MyGloryIsShining!
#NewPossibilities
#BirthingNewVision
MORNING SHOWERS Today, 26 September 2023 was written by Reverend Ajisafe Opeyemi; is the founder and Senior Pastor of Calvary Pointers Covenant Church situated at Block C, Road A, Unity Estate, Gbaga Bus Stop, by Ijede Rd, Ikorodu Lagos,Nigeria