Fire and God’s Purposes

“I came to hurl fire into the earth,
and what will I if it already has been lit?”
LUKE 12:49 (LITV)

Some time ago, I had a glimpse of the altar where Elijah prayed and the Fire of God that fell because of His faithfulness. There was a sense of His intense desire to do so again in the hearts of His Own who fear, obey and follow Him. Our God is a consuming fire, and His Manifest Presence is the cry and desire of all true hearts.

“And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel, and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.”
1 Kings 18:36 (ESV)

Elijah’s prayer was prefaced by his knowing God’s will and his obedience to that Will.

“Elijah was a man of like passion as we are. And he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for the time of three years and six months.”
James 5:17

Relationship is inextricably linked to answered prayer.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.”
John 15:7-8 (ESV)

Fruitfulness is the proof of our discipleship. Jesus goes on to declare unto us the means by which we are enabled to abide in the wonder of His Love.

“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love…”
John 15:9-10

Fire and God’s Purposes

Fire and an intensity of heart are the hallmarks of those who live in the Presence of Him who is “a consuming fire”.

“For our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:29

Related Post:

Elements of Faith – The Fire of God (LINK)

“Theodore Cuyler found Mr. Moody laboring in a Mission room in the city of Brooklyn. With him was a handful of plain people. Cuyler whispered to him, “Slow work this, is it not?” Moody looked at him and said,  “Did you ever light a fire? I am lighting my fire;” and he kindled it to such good purpose that anon it blazed over two continents.”
– Theodore Culver

They who seek the Lord
invariably discover His Fire.

Brian Troxel