Saturday, May 28, 2005
Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call.
SPIRIT OF FIRE
We had a large pile of brush in our backyard that had built up over the course of a number of months. I knew looking at it the other day that it was high time to get a burn permit from the local fire station and have a rather large fire. So this afternoon I went outside with a shovel, a rake, a few matches, and some water in case of emergency. It only took one match on the old Christmas tree before the fire was so hot I had to back quite far away. I watched as the flames sizzled through the branches instantly. Then they jumped across to the rest of the brush. The flames moved in and out almost faster than you could watch them. In about 15 seconds the entire pile of wood and leaves was a blazing inferno.
The fire reminded me of the work of the Holy Spirit. Like those flames, the Spirit burns into stone-cold hearts, convincing them of the truth of God's word and turning them to faith. Also like those flames, the message of Christ which is taught by the Spirit moves from one person to another; from one generation to another. It moves quickly. It moves with power. It spreads like wildfire!
How the Holy Spirit caused the word of Christ to move through the nations in those early days after the resurrection! By the time Paul wrote the letter to the Romans he said the "sound had gone out to all the lands." The Apostles and Evangelists spread the word. Men, women, and children spread the word. More and more were added to household of faith.
Today the same Spirit of Fire is at work. He spreads the message of Christ through you and me -- may He reach to earth's remotest corners and blaze into every heart!
