ON FIRE

I had the pleasure of shopping for a new Bible for myself recently and had a great time deciding which one I would take home.  I love God's Word and am very serious about picking out the right study Bible for my personal devotions.  As I was shopping, a kind, well-meaning salesman endeavored to assist me in my Bible search.  He was knowledgeable in the differences between the translations and I was thankful for his help.  As I combed the shelves, my eyes fell on a study Bible that had these letters printed largely on the cover:  FIRE.  I said to the salesman, "What is that study about?"   He said, "Oh, you know, that study is for people 'on fire', you know what I mean?"  Interested in his negative tone, I said, "you mean, it is focused on outreach and evangelism?"  He said, "something like that."

Out of curiosity, I picked up the Bible as He walked away and it happened to be a Spirit-filled study full of discussion on the Holy Spirit.  Oh how I wanted to be able to grab that moment and conversation with him again and just ask, "AREN'T WE ALL SUPPOSED TO BE ON FIRE?"

Listen, there is no other way to serve God.  Without the fire of the Holy Spirit, it is just dead, dry, religious duty.  Are you filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit today?  Are you filled with an inexplicable passion to reach the lost and bring healing to a hurting world?  If not, I would say it is time for you to be filled and filled again with the Holy Spirit!  "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;   Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, "  Ephesians 5:18-19.

 It is time for the body of Christ to read the book of Acts all over again.    Acts is not just a book of historical information;  it was given to us by our Father through and for divine inspiration.  It is the full intention of the Holy Spirit to use the book of Acts to show us what the church of Jesus Christ should look like in the earth today.  "And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, "  Acts 17:6, ESV.   Are you turning your world upside down?  God commands His church to be alive, thriving, producing disciples, healing the sick, casting out demons, winning the lost and head over heels in love with Him and His Word!  A church ON FIRE!