FIRE - Part 4 “SUSTAINED: The Fire That Keeps Burning”
FIRE IS ABOUT GOD’S PRESENCE
Colossians 1:15-20, 15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[f] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
God loves us so much, that He sent His presence down in physical form through Jesus, to rescue us, to be the fullness of God in the flesh. God’s love for us is a consuming, sustaining fire on display through the life of Jesus. Paul shares this to remind the believers at Colossi that the plan all along was for God to dwell, to burn forever, in the hearts of His people.
Psalm 73:23-28, 23 “Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.”
David knew that he needed to keep God’s holy fire burning within him because only God’s presence satisfies. God is our refuge, our strength, our portion. To experience Him as David did, we must be intentional about abiding in and seeking out His presence.
Psalm 28:6-9, 6 “Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 8 The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
The Lord is the saving refuge of His anointed – His presence is the fire that we are to draw near to for protection, direction, and refining. We can trust Him and all that He sends our way. Let us give thanks for how He carries us through the storms of this life and saves us from ourselves.
GOD’S HOLY FIE WILL SUSTAIN US, BUT ONLY IF WE ABIDE WITH HIM. IT IS A FIRE THAT OF ITSELF WILL NOT BE EXTINGUISHED, BUT IN ORDER FOR THAT FIRE TO SUSTAIN US AS GOD INTENDS, WE HAVE TO DO OUR PART TO ABIDE IN HIM. WE CAN TRUST GOD’S PRESENCE TO PROTECT AND DIRECT US THROUGHOUT THIS LIFE.
John 15:5-6, 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
Our lives are most fruitful when we are connected to Jesus, the true vine, and abiding in His presence. Refining happens through the fire of His presence, but it is unlike the fire that burns up the useless branches. We can trust that through God’s refining there will be a purer faith and intimacy with Him, rather than the separation that comes from the consuming fire that burns up the useless branches.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
Take some time to consider the ways that we see God’s presence as fire throughout Scripture. Can you think of how God’s presence produced visible evidence of that fire in someone’s life?
Read Exodus 34:28-35.
Evidence of the fire of God’s presence was visible through Moses; his face was radiant. Think of times when you experienced the closeness of God’s presence in your own life. How would you describe your countenance after that experience? How do you think you would feel if your face shone like Moses’s did after you spent time with Jesus?
What are some other examples of how the fire of God’s presence can be visible in our lives today? Do you think that these visible examples of God’s presence are things that draw others to us? Why or why not?
Look up the definition of Immanuel. Read Isaiah 7:14.
Take some time to reflect on all the times in Scripture where God is present with His people. List three different passages in Scripture that came to mind.
Read Isaiah 61. What in this passage speaks to you about God’s sustaining fire? Discuss with your small group and share with them which verse resonated with you the most.
God longs to be with His people. This is something that we see throughout all of Scripture. He wants a relationship with His creation. Take some time to write out a prayer to God about His presence in your life, then, sit quietly with paper and pen ready, and ask Him what He is speaking to you. Let Him invade your thoughts and tell you how much He loves you and be sure you write it down!
Through Isaiah God reveals His passion for His people. Read Isaiah 66:18-24.
God knows us and He still wants to be near us, to bring us to His holy mountain. He says we will always be His. What does this mean to you?
Now go back and read Isaiah 66:1-17. Re-read verse 14. Can you feel the passion in that passage, in that verse, the fullness of love that God has for His people, so much that He is so excited about blessing them? Write out this verse and think on it over this next week. How does your love for God compare to His love for you? What steps can you take this week to demonstrate how thankful you are for His presence, His sustaining fire?
This next week, be intentional about seeking out God’s presence even in the mundane. Look for His hand in every circumstance, in nature, and even in your sleep. Take time each day to journal about any new awareness you have, how close He always is, how if you seek Him, He is there to be found. If this is hard for you, please reach out to a trusted Christian friend and ask for prayer, or connect with our Prayer Team so that we can help you.
