December 7                                   1 Tim 4 - 6

EFFECTS OF GOD’S FIRE

MEMORISE: ‘Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing, go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.” (Isa 52:11)
READ: Malachi 3: 2-3

Isaiah came into God’s presence one day and saw something different. He had always viewed himself as a righteous man of God who was envied by many. But that day he looked filthy to himself as he stood in God’s presence. His lips were unclean, and had to be cleansed by God’s fire. That fire is powerful! It purifies everything and everyone it touches.

The first thing that fire does, is to purity. If something is dirty, you can wash it with water and soap. If it is a precious object that cannot be cleansed with soap and water, you can take it through fire. In the passage God says he will pass those who are precious to him through his fire. These are the sons of Levi who go to offer acceptable sacrifices to God. This means that, as candidates for God’s fire, we will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices unto Him.

In Acts 2: 1-4, when the fire fell, a number of things happened to the disciples. On coming into contact with the fire, Peter, who had earlier denied the Lord three times in succession out of fear, was filled with boldness. No more would he be intimidated, as is evident from his witness to the rulers, elders and scribes in Acts 4:13. through the effect of the fire, Peter won 8000 souls for the Kingdom by merely preaching two messages. Acts 5:12-16 tells how Peter became a mighty instrument in God’s hand, performing miracles wherever he went. At one point, Jesus’ prophecy in John 14:12 that the apostles would do more than he did, 2was fulfilled. Sick people were being healed by Peter’s shadow!.

For John, the beloved disciple, the fire transformed his anger and ambition into deep love an compassion. The fire changed Saul of Tarsus from persecutor to the persected – one who was ready to suffer any pain or discomfort for the Name of Jesus Christ. Whatever your shortcoming or inadequacy, when the fire of God touches you, you will not remain the same. Your lukewarmness will turn to strong commitment. If you are already committed, the fire will make you even more passionate. Ask God to let you experience his quenching fire now.

ACTION POINT
Ask God to send his holy fire into your life and to fill you
with love, boldness and power to serve him.