Have you ever sat on a cold evening around a campfire with a group of people whom you know and love? Have you ever sat around a campfire with a group of people whom you did not know? The experience is totally different, but in each case you have the fire to keep you warm. The fire is the center of attention, not just the people gathered around it. No matter what is going on, your attention always comes back to the fire.
Proverbs 26:20 says, “Without wood, a fire goes out”. It is impossible for the fire to continue to burn without feeding it with new kindling. I just love the old chorus that goes like this:
BURN, BURN HOLY SPIRIT
BURN IN ME SET MY HEART ON FIRE,
FILL ME WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND GOD’S FULL DESIRE.
For us to burn with the fire of God, all we need to do is check the altar of our own hearts and see if we have been fanning the flame. If not, the fire will burn out. As a pastor, let me warn you, “There will always be enough old wet blankets around in the church who attempt to extinguish the fire in your life”.
Now let me ask you a question. What do you think is the requirement to have a continual flame in your heart, and to be on fire for God, so to speak? Paul admonished young Timothy to fan into flame the fire that was within him, fire which was imparted to him by the laying on of the hands.
Today, we are going to have a Laying On Of Hands Service. We are going to bless you and your family and pray for you to start your year with a fresh fire from the Holy Ghost. “HE PROVIDES THE FIRE, WE PROVIDE THE SACRIFICE.”
As we begin 2015 with fasting and prayer, we prepare ourselves for a fresh baptism of fire. As I left the prayer meeting early one morning this week, I was reminded of how blessed we were to have Harvey Payne as a resident prophetic voice in our lives for many years. His word to Heritage was always the need for a baptism of fire. He went to be with the Lord several years ago, but his word still burns in my heart as fuel for the flame. This is a sure way to have a happier New Year.
Jeremiah said it best when he said, “His Word was like a fire shut up in my bones.”
I believe in you!
Your loving pastors,
Cleddie and GayNell