Tuesday, March 20, 2018

A Bonfire

“Real zeal is standing still and letting God be a bonfire in you.” (Catherine Doherty)

Some Christians lose their zeal for the Almighty as life goes by. Has this been your experience? I also suspect that for most people who experience a loss of zeal for the Heavenly Father that the cause of this ailment is a multifaceted one. How do you get zeal back into your relationship with God? How do  you live by faith when all your spiritual zeal is gone?" Remember the acronym "TRUSST"

1.   T- Thanksgiving: When one senses that the fire has gone out in their spiritual life, it's because gratefulness for God’s blessings has stopped. When we focus too much on what we don't have and on what God is not giving us at the moment, we lose sight of the fact that God is always good, is for us, and will never forsake us. Start today by thanking Him for everything you'd miss tomorrow if you woke up, and it wasn't there.

 
2.   R – Repentance: Another fire-quencher is sin and selfish attitudes. Scripture says that His kindness leads us to repentance. When you've spent some time thanking God, conviction returns to your soul. Take the next step and dare to say, God, examine me and know my mind.  Test me and know all my worries.(Psalm 139:23, ERV). Confession is a cleansing, beautiful thing. God draws especially near to the humble, repentant heart.

 
3.   U – Understand: Oftentimes when we feel our flame flickering out, it's because we've approached God only for what He can do for us, and not for who He is. A sure way to fan our spiritual flame is to seek Him for all He is worth.

Still bring your requests before Him, but then lay them down at His feet, and seek to know His heart. Get to know Him more and you'll have a better understanding of how He is working in your current circumstances. Get to know Him better, and love Him more.

4.   S – StandWhen you don't feel God's presence, and His love doesn’t feel true, it's time to stand on the Bible because it is true. When you stand on God's promises, and your ears hear His mouth say what's true. Your heart believes again that His Word is true. Walk around if you have to and proclaim the truth of God. Take your stand right where you stand.

 

5.   S – SurrenderSurrender and spiritual passion are closely linked. When I find myself hanging on to one’s own understanding, or when you  rely more heavily on fears rather than God's faithfulness, it's like throwing a wet blanket on a spiritual flame. What's the answer? Get on your knees, open your hands, and surrender everything to the Lord once again.

 
Give Him your worries, your "what if's" and the deep desires of your heart. He knows what's best for you.  You only have partial information. Say to the Lord, "Father, what does obedience look like here? And who do You want to be to me here? I surrender to You. Show me Your greatness in this place."

 
6.   T – Trust When I lose perspective on life, I've stopped trusting God. You can trust Him. If your passion has waned, it's time to reengage your heart, to renew your mind, to humble yourself in His presence, and then to rise up knowing that you are His, and He is yours. You are blessed. He has a brilliant plan for your life.  Your Heavenly Father is faithful, true, kind, good, trustworthy, and available 24/7.

 
“Zeal is a volcano the peak of which the grass of indecisiveness does not grow.” (Khalil Gibran)[i]




[i] Sources used:
·        6 Keys to Keep the Fire of God Burning in Your Life” by Susie Larson

·        “How to Regain Your Zeal” by David McClister

 
Dedicated to Tom Critser

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