Keep the Fire Burning
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:11
Serving the Lord causes the fire in our Spirit to burn intently, increasing our motivation. And our motivation to serve the Lord is directly related to living life to the full, because serving the Lord is life to the full.
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. (John 12:26) The Lord is with us when we serve him, and the Father is pleased and fills our soul with his contentment and joy. If our days are filled with serving the Lord, striving to be Christ-like at all times, then contentment and joy will continuously fill our souls, keeping the fire burning.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.(Philippians 4:12-13) The Apostle Paul was experiencing the love, peace, and joy from the Lord, because every moment he was serving the Lord, writing epistles to the churches, praying, and ministering to everyone. The more we fill our life serving the Lord, the more love, peace, and joy we experience. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Serving the Lord keeps the fire in our spirit, but our physical bodies can get tired. It is important to do our best to stay healthy – rest, eat right, exercise, and Godly thinking, will all affect our overall health. We have fire in our soul and we need energy in our flesh. I am 75 years of age and find it necessary to physically work-out every day so my flesh can keep up with the fire in my soul.
Rest is very important to keep the fire burning, and rest is the perfect time to be alone with the Lord, meditating on the Word, praying, and seeking to be closer to the Lord. Quiet time with the Lord each day is essential in keeping the fire burning in our soul. Ministry drives us to be more Christ-like and greatly increases our desire to be closer to the Lord, as his love continually fills our heart. The more love we have in our heart, the closer we are to the Lord because God is love.
Today minister to everyone, starting with kindness and respect with a listening heart. This will make your day more satisfying and fulfilling, and keep the fire burning in your Spirit. The more we minister, the bigger the fire.
Prayer: Lord, keep the fire burning in the Spirit and let my motivation to serve you always increase. Thank you for guiding me in the Spirit to minister to lost souls. In Jesus name, Amen