Monday, June 19, 2017

Oh To Be On Fire - Take #2

Hey Friend,

In January, I chose a word to be my "watch word" or "guide word" throughout 2017. The word I chose was "Fire" - as in to be on fire for the Lord.  I thought it was fitting since, here we are six months into the year - the halfway point, to take a look to see just how God is working this out in my life.  

First let me share, from my January 2017 post, why I chose "Fire" as my word:

January 8, 2017
So this year, why "Fire"?  Perhaps it was because I was inspired by a quote by the great theologian John Wesley:

"Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn." - John Wesley

It made me think about my life....do I live with a passion - a love for Christ - that is so intense that people would say that I'm on fire for the Lord?  

My greatest desire is that a (wo)man would look at my life, and the passion they saw would point an arrow directly to God.  I want it to be unmistakable just Who is the love of my life. 

Jesus, himself, said that half-hearted, lukewarm, indifferent Christians make Him literally sick to His stomach.  So much so, that He would spit them out of His mouth.  

Is that me?  Do I call myself a Christ follower, but yet have no fruit that would testify to the blood of the Spirit coursing through my veins?
End....

So here we are in June already and I find myself sitting on my butt for six weeks unable to walk.  With a root canal, a fourth surgery recuperation, a bad fall, a case of the shingles, and an incision infection, I now find myself wondering if my foot will bear my weight when I hopefully start walking this week? 

Hmmmm.....doesn't exactly sound like I'm setting the world on fire.  

(Luke 24:32) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

This down time has allowed me to spend a lot more time in God's Word - in His holy presence.  I have prayed and asked God to open my eyes to His heart through His Word and He has been faithful to do just that.

He has enabled me to read familiar scripture with new insight and fresh understanding. I literally feel His Word burning within me.  I know this would not have happened if I was in my usual rush around mode.  

When you can't go and move about, God can get your undivided attention.

It's kind of sad, on my part, that God has had to sideline me, not one, but four times with surgeries so that together we could stoke the flames of my heart.

Have you ever noticed there are several ways to put out a fire??

You can pour water on it.... (anger, bitterness, resentment)

You can smother it with something else..(idols, other interests, substitutes)

You can remove the fuel....(reading the Bible, practicing the presence of God)

or You can neglect it....(busyness, hurrying around, doing rather than being)

I'm probably guilty of all four at different times, but I know that I was neglecting my fire.  I wasn't poking it - prodding God's Word, digging deeper into what I was reading, questioning and bringing my doubts before Him, asking for answers that went below the surface.

In doing this, God opened my eyes to a new ministry - that of "Ministry born of suffering".  In no other time of my writing have I received more personal emails and notes of encouragement from those who have suffered, who are suffering, and those who are struggling with the isolation born out of suffering.

I look at Jesus, and I realize that so much of His ministry was born out of His suffering.  So how, if I am to grow up into the likeness of Christ, can I avoid suffering?  It just isn't possible.

So, I guess you could say that my passion has been reignited.  God has used this time out to turn up the heat.  

I hope that by drawing into Him, He will cause my flame to burn more brightly and with greater intensity.  I don't know if people will come from miles around to watch me burn, but I know that without this time in God's presence, my flame would have surely burned out.

How is your flame burning?  Would you say you are "on fire" for God?  If not, what's putting out your flames?  What do you think God is calling for you to do or not do?

Dear Heavenly Father,  Forgive me for when I get to scurrying about and I neglect to spend time in Your presence and in Your Word.  Help me to realize that if my flame is to burn brightly for You, I need to be diligent about setting aside time for our relationship.  Thank you that You are a God who cares more about relationship than "Do's" and "Don't's".  Give me a passion to know Your heart more deeply so that I may be a witness to others.  Help me to embrace suffering in my life and to use it to minister to others who are also suffering.  Continue to encourage me to grow and mature and build me up into the likeness of Your holy Son.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed....and be sure to Subscribe to my blog if you want to be certain not to miss my weekly posts. 


26 comments:

  1. Thanks, Bev, for this mid-year flame detector post. It reminds me, too, to be thinking about my own #OneWord2017 -- Standing -- and to be resisting the urge to coast to the end (or smoulder . . . or sit down!)

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    1. Michele,
      Oh how easy it is to coast, smolder, or sit down...cheering you on to keeping standing firm in the Lord. When you've done everything else...stand!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  2. It is amazing how slowly a fire can go out and then go undetected. But our God, in His great love and mercy, gently brings us to the point by which the fire is rekindled. May yours (and each of ours) love for Him burn ever more strongly in the days ahead! xo

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    1. Joanne,
      So true - a fire doesn't go out in an instant unless you douse it with water, but neglected, it slowly fades away. So thankful for His merciful love that brings us to the point that we know we need Him in order to be rekindled. Joining with you in our prayer that our love for Him would burn ever stronger.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  3. I love that "fire" is your word choice--what a brilliant and unusual one! It sounds to me like you are very much on fire for the Lord, Bev. Thanks for sharing about it here. My one word this year has been "story"; I need to think about updating how it's going as well. It's not been my favorite choice of the past few years, but we are only halfway through. :)

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    1. Lisa,
      This time out for surgery recuperation has been difficult, but also a blessing in that it has allowed me some good one on one time with God to re-stoke the fire. Yes, I'be be interested to read how "story" has been playing out in your life?!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  4. Hi Bev ... I think it's so cool when readers get a follow-up post on someone's WORD. I stopped claiming one a few years back when I realized that I did nothing more with it than write a post or two. Congrats on your fortitude!

    ;-}

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    1. Linda,
      I'm trying....first I had to get over the fact that we are already halfway through the year...how did that happen?? LOL
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  5. Great word, Bev! I, too, desire to live a life of passion for God...He is so very worth it. Glad to hear God is working in all that you have gone through...my goodness. And I love the things you said about what can out the fire put...great truth!!

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    1. Mandy,
      Yes, even in surgery recuperation, God can work this toward good. I see how I have to continually stoke the fire in order to keep it burning. Thanks so much for sharing here!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  6. How fabulous that you can be on fire with everything else going on. Maybe not every second, but your words are exactly what we all need!!
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    #raralinkup

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    1. Jodie,
      I guess the doctor doused some of my flames yesterday with a report I didn't want to hear....more down time and not able to drive for two more weeks. Trying to keep my chin up, but finding it hard today. Thanks for your encouragement!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  7. Dear Bev, how brave you are! Your transparency is so encouraging, and only surpassed by your generous spirit in sharing your challenges. Prayers for successful walking!

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    1. Alice,
      Thanks Alice...you are so sweet! I really need those prayers - feeling somewhat discouraged today. I guess I don't have my brave face on today :( Thanks again for stopping by. So good to have you here!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  8. Bev, doesn't it feel so good to have that fire be reignited? Praying for a quick recovery for you! Thank you for your encouraging words, I'm visiting you today from #TellHisStory linkup!

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    1. Debbie,
      Welcome and thanks for popping by. Yes, it is good to be reignited!! It's a shame God has to go to such drastic measures at times in order to get my attention....
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  9. I'm so glad that God is using this time for good. It's amazing how He works through our difficult times to bring us back to Him!

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    1. Nicole,
      Yes, God is definitely using this time for good though I'm going a little stir crazy lol. Thanks for popping by!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  10. Such a good John Wesley quote. Oh to live that kind of life. The weight of life keeps my embers from getting enough oxygen a lot of times. I'm hopeful that this summer of rest will help me get back that flame that draws others to Him. Thanks for sharing, Bev. Sorry to hear you have two more weeks off your foot, but I'm glad they're making sure so that you can reduce the chance of re-injury. ((hug))

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    1. Brenda,
      I loved this quote by John Wesley the moment I read it. I said, "I want that to be me." I hope this summer is giving you a little down time and quiet time with Him. I do think the doctor is being extra careful especially since this is a correction of an already botched surgery. I definitely want this time to "take".
      ((Hugs)),
      Bev

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  11. It makes me smile to read all these prayerful, supportive comments for you and to know YOUR heart is being warmed in the embers of all this love! Though you may not be able to light up the streets (either walking or in your car--I'm so sorry!), you certainly are lighting up the blogosphere! Praying God's blessings for you, Bev, even in the midst of convalescence.

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    1. Nancy,
      I have been so encouraged and feel so loved by the comments, prayers, and well wishes! God has definitely drawn me close. I don't know how else I would have made it this far?! I do hope that I can give God the glory through this convalescence and I have been TRULY blessed. Thanks for your caring spirit!
      Blessings sweet friend,
      Bev xx

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  12. Hey, how are you doing? Hope you're recovering fully and well and maybe coloring a bit!!! xo

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    1. Susan,
      I'm hanging in there...day by day...one baby step at a time. Coloring, reading, and writing have helped fill my days and keep my mind distracted. Thanks again!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  13. I struggle with allowing the fire to burn in my heart. Life is overwhelming and I admit I'm not doing a great job at fanning the flame. So your words are very timely. Thank you.

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    1. Barbie,
      I think it's difficult for all of us. That's why God often has to literally sideline me so that I can tend to the embers of my heart for Him before they simply burn out and stop glowing. Glad you found these words timely!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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