How to Grow Your Fire for GodSample

Excuses are the enemy of spiritual growth. As we talked about in day 1, to keep the fire burning we must learn to overcome excuses; however, we must also learn to continually add fuel. This means growing in daily spiritual disciplines.

In the Old Testament, the priests were commanded to keep the fire burning every morning (Leviticus 6:12). In this verse we see that God didn’t expect the fire to keep on burning without someone having put wood on the altar first. Here we see an important principle: God may start the fire within us, but we must keep it going.

Our God, who answers by fire, also makes His ministers to be a flame of fire (Psalm 104:4). Staying on fire doesn’t happen by accident.

Priests were intentional and had to burn wood every morning. Let me repeat: Bringing wood every morning is what was required for the fire to keep burning.

When we look at the Old Testament, we see that Israel had seven feasts: The Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. Now, burning wood only during those feasts wouldn’t keep the fire burning on the altar. They had to do it daily, even when the festivities were over. Their feasts were like the special events that we all attend to energize our faith, but they don’t sustain our flame. Not only did priests have to bring wood daily, but they also had to offer sacrifices on that altar. If priests stopped putting wood and sacrifices on the altar, the fire would die out.

Similarly, when you go to a conference, read a book, or even hear a sermon, the Lord may ignite a fire and passion for Him and His presence within you. However, that deposit from the Lord will be your responsibility to keep burning by praying, reading the Word, and fasting.

It’s not God’s responsibility to keep the fire burning, it’s the task of the priests.

Let’s pray:

God, show me how to add fuel to my spiritual fire daily. Help me to develop holy habits that keep me burning brightly for You.