Leviticus 6:12-13 (ESV)
The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on
it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he
shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the
peace offerings. Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it
shall not go out.
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be
constant in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
The disciple of Jesus Christ will never mature
beyond the depth of his or her life of prayer.
Famous pastor and author Charles
Spurgeon once made the connection between this altar and the heart as our great
altar before God. “Let us give to God our hearts,” he wrote, “all blazing with
love, and seek his grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not
burn if the Lord does not keep it burning.” Decade upon decade have passed
since Spurgeon challenged with this tremendous truth, the context of life
radically changing with each. Without doubt, we live at the busiest cultural
point in history, the local church and us as Christians not immune. In this
constant movement there is much that we do, and seeking his grace in the
activity itself is commonplace. I’m sure you would agree… you are a busy
believer in public, but are you a busy believer in private?
Prayerlessness represents a decay in
our relationship with God that we simply cannot afford. Soon enough without
frequenting the closet of prayer, wherever it might be hidden, all of this
energy mustered for the cause of Christ will eventually slow to a drag. Perhaps
you read this today and already notice this drag. The answer lies not in
recalculating how you can do more. Get by yourself today. Stoke the fire at the
level of your heart’s altar. Rekindle the relationship. Believe it or not, it
isn’t primarily working with the Lord for which you were saved, but
for relating with him. Come to him today. Savor his
welcoming nearness as he will savor yours. Begin simply, focusing on his
perfect character and promises. Move to asking his fresh movement in your
church gathering and personal ministry, in your family and neighbors,especially
in souls you know but also throughout the world. Ask him for reminders of your
hope and a recalibration of your humility. Then pause, don’t say anything to
our Father for a moment, and just reflect silently on what it means to come in the
matchless name of Jesus………
Keep the fire burning………
Pray…
What are
some practical ways you make sure the fire of your heart’s altar never burns
out?
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