Spiritual Fervor

 

“Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.”

John Wesley

I like that quote. Especially the words “catch on fire with enthusiasm.” People are attracted to others that are enthusiastic and alive in spiritual fervor.

Being on 24 hours a day, seven days a week can be tough though. The ups and downs are part of life and we tend to sway with what is happening at the time. But our hearts and souls can still be secure and confident in our Lord. And other people will see that.

"Never allow anything to cause your heart to beat more strongly than it does from your love for God. Let this ambition be the fire of your soul. the foundation of every endeavor you begin, and your sustaining motivation when your zeal for Him starts to cool."

Charles Spurgeon

Look Unto Me

If you are using the gift(s) God has given you, your example will help others be encouraged. Using your gift(s) is an easy thing, for God doesn’t have us do something that He doesn’t equip us for and give us joy in doing.

“When you first came to Christ, did you spend some time discovering your spiritual gift? Finding it most likely sparked your spiritual fire, so ready were you to serve God by using it to grow His Kingdom. But, as the years went by, your initial spark may have died out.

“It’s time to fan back into a flame those embers of your gift so that you can serve God in a way no one else can. God equipped you with a unique talent. Use it, knowing that He has also given you the power, peace, love, and mind to do so.” Wanda E. Brunstetter, The Prayer Jar Devotional: HOPE

Do you remember how you realized your gift(s)? What happen that brought understanding that said: “This is what God wants me to do?” For me, someone who I didn’t know, except for passing in the hallway at church, sent me a note to encourage me. It made such an impact in my life that I knew I wanted to do that for others. That’s how I started my note writing ministry.

Chris Tiegreen, in his book “Walk With God” asked this question: “How would you characterize your level of zeal? Does it drive you to pursue God’s Kingdom and His righteousness with a passion? If He dwells within you and your fellowship with Him is deep, it will. It is not possible to be powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit and yet to be lukewarm in our love or our service.”

You should enjoy and love doing what God has given you do to. Your zeal and passion should drive you to do God’s work. Find that flame you discovered when you were saved. Let it burn!

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Romans 12:11

Let the Lord inspire you to serve with courage and passion. "Catch on fire with enthusiasm" and let your life touch others with God’s love. 

By His Grace . . . 

Always Go Up

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,

I call as my heart grows faint;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Psalm 61:1-2

This Scripture verse is one of the first ones I was directed to as a new Christian. I called my sister for emotional support, and her husband said to read Psalm 61.

"The Rock. The psalm conveys a desire for elevation, asking God to 'lead me to the rock that is higher than I.' Here, the metaphor of the rock signifies divine stability, safety, and strength—elements that are essential for overcoming life's challenges. The rock represents God Himself, who provides refuge and protection." thebiblesays.com  

David knew there would be times when his heart was overwhelmed. In those moments he needed a place of stability, a place above himself and someone to lead him.

I've needed this Rock my times as I've walked with God. Through sorrow, disappointment, sadness and hurt, I've gone to Psalm 61 and read those words directing me to the Rock. Reassuring me that my God was there, will always be there and I could rest in Him.

"This means the Rock that is too high for me, the Rock that I cannot reach unaided . . . And just Who is that Rock? This Rock is Christ. For ancient Israel, the Rock was a symbol of the love and protection of God, a figure of the security, serenity and protection provided for the believer by the Lord. For this generation, 'Our Lord Jesus Christ is the true Rock for human souls.'" Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible

Our Rock is our one true defense and refuge where we will be lifted up and enabled to bear rough times. It's so easy to forget to call on God when we're overwhelmed with hard times. Yet, He is the only One who can get us through those hard times. 

My sister and her husband prayed for me for five years after they were saved. And I continue to be encouraged by them. I will always be thankful to them for leading me to this Scripture verse when I was a new Christian.

"Christ is the Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue therefrom, all believers drink, and are refreshed. It typified the sacred influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to believers through Christ."

Matthew Henry

By His Grace . . .

Remembrances

The devotion I read this morning in "Look Unto Me: The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon" compiled by Jim Reimann, gave me hope that today, November 5, 2024, our country will prevail as a notable date in our history of God's deliverance.

Scripture verse: "No weapon forged against You will prevail." Isaiah 54:17 

Spurgeon wrote: "Two great events of God's deliverance prevailed on this date. In 1605 there was a plot to destroy England's House of Parliament, and it was uncovered and defeated. In 1688 William III landed at Torbay, England and support was gained to secure religious liberty.

"Our Puritan forefathers were quite devout in making today a special time of thanksgiving. In fact, a record of Matthew Henry's sermons preached in celebration of this day still exists. Our Protestant sense and our love of liberty should make us regard this anniversary with holy gratitude. May our hearts and mouths exclaim, 'We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long age.' (Psalm 44:1)

"May the heart of everyone who loves the gospel of Jesus be burdened today to plead for the destruction of false doctrines and the advancement of God's truth."

Today is an important day in the history of the United States. We are at the brink of destruction of America as a nation founded on Godly principles. My hope is, this too, will be a notable date in our history of God's deliverance.

As I pray each morning, I thank God for being in control of ALL THINGS and for knowing everything. His Will will be played out today and through the rest of history until Jesus returns to this earth.

We can have confidence that whatever happens today, whether to our liking or not, it will continue to move us forward in God's plan. He will reign again. He is in control.

By His Grace . . .

Who Can We Trust?

 

Who can we trust? Hopefully our immediate family members. Hopefully a few close friends. Maybe a neighbor or two. Hopefully your doctor. Maybe service companies that come into your home to fix a problem. 

There aren't many we can trust. We have to be very careful who we put our trust in. We can't trust what we read. We can't trust what we see on television or online. Even after researching and studying to find truth we can't be sure it is the truth.

There are a number of times "trustworthy" appears in the Bible. There are four verses written by the Apostle Paul that are trustworthy words. The Bible is the only place we can believe the words are true. All God's Word is trustworthy and worthy to be cemented in our hearts.

The following trustworthy sayings can be applied to our life and help us through each day:

1 Timothy 1:15: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 

1 Timothy 4:8-9: "Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance."

2 Timothy 2:11-12: "Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him."

Titus 3:8: "This is a trustworthy saying . . . that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good."

"Thus, we have the root of salvation in free grace; next, the privileges of that salvation in our present life and in that to come; and we have the two great teachings regarding our suffering with Christ and our serving with Him, both filled with the blessings of the Spirit. May we treasure these 'trustworthy' sayings' and may they guide our life, our comfort, and our instruction . . . May these four 'trustworthy sayings' be written on the four corners of my house." Charles Spurgeon

These are words that we can trust and depend on. They were written under the inspiration of Almighty God and are truth. If we believe and live our life knowing the Words, each day will be easier to live because we know God's truth.

Jim Reimann, in "Look Unto Me" wrote: "When we consider the number of biblical prophecies already fulfilled, we shouldn't need a reminder that  God's Word can be trusted. Yet mankind is forgetful, although we shouldn't be . . . Nevertheless, in light of our forgetfulness, may the following passages from Revelation remind us of the trustworthiness of God's word:

"Revelation 21:5: 'He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'

"Revelation 22:6: 'These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things that must soon take place.'"

There is one we can trust. For everything, and all that happens in our lives and this world.

By His Grace . . .

Seasons of Life

"Each moment of the year has its own beauty . . . a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882 

One Sunday morning this prayer was said at the beginning of the worship service: "Thank you, God, for the fall season we are coming into, which reminds us that God is with us in all seasons of life."

"There's winter, spring, summer, and fall. Just like the natural seasons change, so do the seasons in our lives. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, 'For everything there is a season.' It tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11, '[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.'"

Two days after I heard that prayer reminding us of our seasons of life, I read these words in "Beautiful Wisdom":

"The Bible teaches us that God ordained the seasons. He set them in place and wants us to enjoy them. In the same way, we go through different 'seasons' in our spiritual lives too. Think about it. Our hearts can get frozen over (winter). Then God breathes new life into us, and a thawing begins (springtime). From there, we move into full blossom, a season of productivity (summer). Then, as with all things, we slow down, preparing for change (autumn)."  Beautiful Wisdom, Barbour Publishing

The glory of the season of Fall is without compare. The colors of Fall are stunning to the eye. Yes, snow thrills my heart; baby leaves in the Spring are a sign of God's Hope, and wildflowers in the summer turn out a lovely scene. But there's just something about the orange and the red and the gold of Fall that is just plain beautiful!

Just as God created the seasons for His purpose and our enjoyment, every life season we go through was ordained by God and is used for His purpose.

You can find beauty in each season of the year, and each season of your life. We are playing out our seasons just as God has planned them to be.

In this season of my life, most of my lifelong friends, and many of my friends on Facebook are snowcapped. It's what happens when you reach the age of 60 and above. I like what Charles Spurgeon said:

"What a glorious sight to watch a saint mature to the point of becoming like a mighty Alp--snowcapped, chosen of God, and magnificently reflecting the bright rays of 'the sun of righteousness' and His radiance, lifting Christ up for all to see the glory of His Father who is in heaven." 

A mighty Alp! Snowcapped! Redeemed! Living for Jesus! Dare I say it's a description most of us would like said about us?

A favorite fall picture painted by my neighbor, Norma, 

which now sits in my living room. Thank you!

Yes, Fall is a beautiful month and so is each season of our lives. There are many things we can complain about, and yet, there are infinitely more that we can rejoice in. Let's rejoice and be thankful, for every season is part of God's plan for each of our lives.

By His Grace . . .

I Have a HOPE!

 

Last week I was working on a hymn study for the hymn "I Have a Hope." It was written in the late 1800s. I found a few videos with that name on YouTube, but different words. The author was Charles Wesley Naylor. Here's a little sample of what I wrote:

I chose this hymn to study for the title alone. I write many words about HOPE. It's what fills me with the strength and courage to face each new day. One of my favorite Scripture verses is Psalm 71:14: “But as for me, I will always have HOPE; I will praise you more and more.”

I liked the words Paul David Tripp wrote in his book, "New Morning Mercies": “Reliable HOPE is Jesus! In His life, death, and resurrection, your life is infused with HOPE . . . The One who is HOPE has infused my life with HOPE . . . To find HOPE, find Him.”

Naylor experienced long and intense suffering during his life, being an invalid for nearly 41 years. He learned to trust God for the supply of his temporal needs because there was no other to trust. He learned to commune with God by being deprived of the opportunity of mingling much with his fellow men.

Yet he did not lose the joy out of life. He built up the kingdom of God with his words of good cheer. He demonstrated the efficacy of God's grace to sustain one and give joy in the very discouraging circumstances of life. 

Perhaps the words to this hymn is just what you need today. The words have certainly enriched my soul as I wrote the study!

“I have a hope, serene and sure, That anchors past the veil;
In all the storms it holds secure, Nor will it ever fail.”

 “I have a hope that looks away, From present woes and tears;

To heaven’s bright eternal day, Till sorrow disappears.”

“I have a hope that doth not fear, The silent grave to view;
Nay, doth not shrink though death appear, For I shall live anew.”

Refrain:
My hope is born of God’s own word, And nourished by His grace;
His promise true my soul hath heard, And hope beholds His face.”

Joyful HOPE! Glorious HOPE! Forever HOPE! We have a reason to celebrate! I have a HOPE!

By His Grace . . .

Tomorrow

This post is a devotion by Charles Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, that I enjoyed reading. Gave me some food for thought. Maybe you'll look at "tomorrow" a little different after reading it

"A Christian can look forward to tomorrow with joy. Tomorrow is a happy thing. It is one stage nearer to glory, one step nearer to heaven, one more mile sailed across life’s dangerous sea, one mile closer to home.

"Tomorrow is a fresh lamp of the fulfilled promise that God has placed in His firmament. Use it as a guiding star or as a light to cheer your path. Tomorrow the Christian may rejoice. You may say that today is black, but I say that tomorrow is coming. You will mount on its wings and flee. You will leave sorrow behind.

"Look forward to tomorrow with ecstasy, because our Lord may come. Tomorrow, Christ may be on this earth. 'Therefore, you also be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.' Matt. 24:44

"Tomorrow, we may all be in heaven. Tomorrow we may lean on Christ’s breast.

"Tomorrow, or perhaps before then, this head will wear the crown. This arm will wave the palm. This lip will sing the song. This foot will walk the golden streets. Tomorrow, this heart will be full of immortal, everlasting, eternal bliss. Be of good cheer, fellow Christians, tomorrow can have nothing negative for you.

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth, rather, comfort yourself with tomorrow. You have a right to do that. You cannot have a bad tomorrow. It may be the best day of your life, for it may be your last day on earth."

By His Grace . . .