"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom. 12:11-12 NIV)

Facts about fire

The principle to keep a fire burning is simple. You only need to make sure your fire has three essential things: 1) fuel, 2) heat and 3) oxygen. Removing any one of these things and your fire will go out!

Keep your spiritual fire going

There are three things mentioned in Romans 12:11-12, needed to keep your spiritual fire going:

1.  Be joyful in hope. Things don't always LOOK good; therefore, you must remember to look BEYOND any negative present circumstances with JOYFUL HOPE towards the future, with the correct understanding that God is working it all out for a wonderful future for you. (Rom. 8:28)

2.  Be patient in affliction. Problems, or “afflictions” happen to everyone from time to time. That's just the way it is. But, the key to handling them when they appear, is to remain PATIENT with the understanding that God is working things out for you and you must wait patiently, and EXPECTANTLY for Him to do it in His perfect timing. (1 Peter 4:12)

3. Be faithful in prayer. Prayer, of course, is simply talking things over with God. Remember to do that always! In good times and in bad times talk to God about everything.  (Col. 4:2)

Hearts on fire from God’s Word!

“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32 NIV)

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13 NIV)

I read a report recently that Muslims are the largest group of people coming to Christ. Many have reported having dreams and visions of a man appearing to them in a white robe. That man, is Jesus! Most of these stories come from those who have been earnestly seeking God with all their heart. The promise verse at top confirms it. It says, “you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

He wants everyone to be saved!

“Who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4 NLT)

He searches for the lost!

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10 NLT)

“"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4 NIV)

He invites those who have left to return!

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zech. 1:3 NIV)

“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’” (Judges. 6:12 NIV)

Mighty warrior!

At the time the Lord spoke to Him, Gideon wasn't known as anything other than ordinary. But, even so, he was proclaimed by the Lord to be a “mighty warrior” and was told that he was being sent by God on an important assignment.

“The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’” (Judges 6:14 NIV)

Gideon saw himself as weak, not strong

“‘Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family’”. (Judges 6:15 NIV)

He was strong because God was with him!

“The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.’” (Judges 6:16 NIV)

So, Gideon followed God’s plan and had complete victory, just as God had promised him!

God is present and powerful in your life today!

When God is present in any life, there is strength and victory without question! And, because of Jesus, we have a closer relationship with God than Gideon had. We are adopted into His family!

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you! 

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. (Rom. 8:11a NLT)

Greater things you will do because of Jesus!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 NIV)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT)

“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:12 NIV)

In all physical battles you must face the enemy head on if you expect to win! It's that way in spiritual battles, too. God’s Word instructs us to put on His spiritual armor so that “you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph. 6:10-11 NIV)

What about your back?

God’s got that covered, too! He is your rear guard! (Isa. 52:12)

It's a battle of faith! 

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:12 NIV)

"Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25:4-5 NASB)

Looking ahead by faith

In the Old Testament many cried out to God asking for salvation and for His personal leading. They we're looking ahead by faith and longing for things to come.

“I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it.” (Matt. 13:17 NLT)

“Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred.” (Job 6:24 NASB)

We have what they longed because of Jesus!

What they in the Old Testament were longing for, we have in reality because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross to make it so! We are fortunate to have a personal and intimate relationship with God!

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13 NASB)

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (Gal. 5:18 NASB)

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19 NASB)

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10 NIV)

The "Smart" Test

As a child I had trouble pronouncing certain words, so it was arranged for me to see a speech therapist once a week. One day he said we were going to play an observation game. He handed me puzzles and pictures. First was a line drawing of four umbrellas. He asked me to tell him which one was different. I told him they all looked the same. He wrote down each of my answers. At the end of the test he asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I said, "a veterinarian". I had already decided because I loved animals and had lots of pets. He said, "It will never be possible because you have something called 'a low I-Q', you just aren't smart enough. Maybe you could become a veterinarian's assistant."

I felt sad and stupid

After that, I began doubting what I was able to do. I stopped dreaming of being a veterinarian. I thought of some things as being beyond my ability. The odd thing was, I could always do what I was interested in. I got low grades in subjects I didn't like and A’s in subjects I loved. I found it easy to “see-the-next-step” in jobs; and after I became a Christian I got A’s in Bible College.

I eventually took another I-Q test and discovered that I do not have a low I-Q. At the time I took the first test, I was slow developmentally. I had been born three months early, weighed a pound and a half and it took me many years to catch up with others my age. I also discovered as an adult that I have dyslexia and need to adjust for it. The biggest help and encouragement have come from learning and applying God’s Word.

Thoroughly equipped! 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV)

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 NIV)

“We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10 NIV)

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil 4:13 KJV)

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:11-13 NKJV)

Enjoy what you have!

“Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless--like chasing the wind.” (Ecl. 6:9 NLT)

It’s not money itself, but it's the “love” of money that causes problems

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (2 Tim. 6:10 NIV)

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” (Ecl. 5:10 ESV)

Seek God first and He will take care all your needs!

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33 NKJV)

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” (Prov. 3:27 NIV)

God’s perfect provision

Many years ago, when I was in full time youth ministry, I depended on donations to support my work. My ministry had many great supporters and a very good prayer team was in place. I would call them to pray for the kids I was working with and for other things that would come up. Sometimes the need was financial. One month we had a $2,500 shortfall, and bills that weren't going to be paid if the money didn't come in. I decided to call my prayer team about it. The first call I made was to Margaret, a faithful prayer warrior who was always quick to pray about anything I called her about. I told her of the shortfall and asked her to pray that God would supply it. She said she was happy that I had called and that she would ask God to supply for the need as I had requested. About twenty minutes later, she walked into my office and handed me a check for $2,500! I was shocked, and said, “Margaret, when I called and asked you to pray, I was not hinting that you were to give it! I was only asking you to pray that God would supply it!” She laughed and said, “Yes Mike, I know that, but when you called, my husband and I prayed together about your need and God told us to write the check for that amount ourselves. We had the money and feel very blessed to be able to give it. In fact, we had been asking God for wisdom on how we should give money that we had set aside to give. Then, you called about your need. The timing was perfect! We even thought of the verse, Proverbs 3:27, that said, ‘Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act’, And, it was definitely in our power to act. We wrote the check, and we are very happy that God has blessed us so much that we could share in your ministry.”

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19 NIV)

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24 NIV)

Choose your friends wisely because they will influence you!

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Prov. 22:24-25 NIV)

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harms.” (Prov. 13:20 NIV)

This kind of friend is the greatest!

“Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)

“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” (John 10:18 NLT)

You are a friend of God!

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NIV)