Back in the 70's (when I was young - ha, ha) there was a popular Christian song that many of us remember singing around campfires or in youth groups called: Pass It On. The beginning words say: "It only takes a spark to get a fire going".
This past Wednesday was one of those days when the LORD'S Presence seemed so real to me that if I had reached out for Him I would have taken a handful of hot coals. The Bible says that our God is a consuming fire. As I was studying His Word that night and listening to a video in preparation for Bible study, God seemed to speak back to me (from His Word) after every sentence that I confessed to Him. The lesson was about God's power - His all consuming power and presence.
We all know that if we got what we deserved (for our sin) - we would be dead - consumed by the fire of His Presence. But instead the LORD Jesus shows us grace and mercy. The closer we draw to Him - the hotter it gets - yet He draws nearer to us . Yet, instead of getting burned - His consuming fire ignites the fire of the Holy Spirit within us and sets us 'on fire for HIM'!
- James 4:7-8
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and He will come near to you. [emphasis mine]
- Hebrews 12:28-29
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire." [emphasis mine]
How close have you gotten to Him lately? Close enough to feel the heat? Close enough to catch the spark? Close enough to be ignited from within? Come closer - you won't get burned - only purified. The gunk, yuk and 'dross' is something you didn't want hangin' on you anyway - trust me - it was killing me.
Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
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