Fire

Fire can warm us and feed us. A warm stove can be the center of a home and represent the warm memories we have growing up. It can also be a problem when it gets out of control. The ability to make and control fire gives us an edge when it comes to survival in this world.

Starting a fire in my fireplace takes skill and patience. The end result is a warm and cozy living room. In addition to the fireplace I also have an outdoor grill. I like to grill all kinds of food when the family gets together. Last year I built an outdoor fire pit for when the weather gets cold. We have already used it once this year for s’mores with the grandkids.

The three grandsons were home with me when I was ready to light the fire pit. I had recently bought a fire starter that could be used for camping. It was a metal stick with magnesium on one side and flint steel on the other. I wanted to show it to the grandkids so I had them gathering sticks and dry grass. I shaved of some magnesium and then lit the metal shavings with sparks made by striking the steel. We then lit a small pile of dry grass and soon had a fire going.

In their eagerness, the boys began piling on more grass but it was green grass this time and they accidently put the fire out. We started the fire again with dry grass and twigs and soon we had a good bed of coals. We pulled out the marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers and began to enjoy an evening of roasted marshmallows and s’mores. The boys said later that it was the best evening ever. For boys there is nothing better than the combination of fire and sweets.

Paul told Timothy to, “keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6 HCSB) In the Old Testament a pillar of fire led the Children of Israel by night. Jeremiah said that if he could not speak in God’s name, “…there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones.” (20:9) John the Baptist said that Jesus would, “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16) When the Holy Spirit was given to us they observed that it looked like “flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them.” (Acts 2:3)

The Holy Spirit is compared to fire throughout the Bible. Like fire, the Spirit requires fuel and the freedom to burn. The Spirit, like a fire, can be quenched when we insist on doing things our way. The big difference is that a fire out of control is dangerous to our lives. When the Holy Spirit gets out of our control God is free to burn away everything that is not like Him. He wants us to supply fuel of our lives surrendered to Him and keep the fire stirred by obedience to His word. Then He will keep us fed and warm and give us the power to do His will.

Bro. Robin