Pull up a chair and put
another log on the fire. If that can be said of us from a spiritual
standpoint,
maybe we’re too comfortable. On the other hand there are times that this would
be the thing to do. Quiet times, just to meditate upon God’s Word and spend
time in prayer, but can that be said of us?
There are certainly times we
need to just step back and relax. Many pastors have not learned this and their
family and bodies suffer. When Jesus set aside one day to rest, maybe this is
what He was saying to us. “Pull up a chair. Put another log on the fire and
let’s talk. Relax with Me for a while.”
Can’t you just visualize
Jesus and His disciples sitting around a camp fire together? Their Creator, my
and your Creator, was sitting among them teaching them while they relaxed in
His Word. They were drawing strength not just from His physical presence but from
the Words He spoke.
We can do the same you know.
It doesn’t matter where we’re sitting or that we can’t physically see Him. He
will be there, and He will also speak to us. We too can relax in His Word.
How many of us do that? If we
don’t, we’re really missing a blessing. It is surprising when receiving the
spiritual strength that comes from quiet time with God, just listening to what
He has to say and talking to Him. He says to us;
“Be still, and know that I am
God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10
No matter what kind of
pressure is upon us, the one and only omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent
God is with us, sitting alone listening to us and nourishing us with His
strength through His divine Word. Maybe there are no pressures in our life,
yet. He is still there for us.
I have found in my life that
I am more apt to seek those quiet times when pressure of some sort weighs me
down. I suppose that would be why He has to allow pressure in my life at times,
to get my attention. I have also discovered, why not spend those wonderful
quiet times with Him without having to be coaxed by outside pressures that He
may have to allow to get my attention. Now that makes sense doesn’t it?
I wonder how many Christians
are feeling un-wanted and perhaps unnecessary pressure, simply because He is
trying to get their attention. Think about that for a while. Isaiah said;
“With my soul have I desired
thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for
when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn
righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9
With the hectic lives most
people live today, maybe going to bed a little later or getting up a little
earlier would be the preferred method of finding some quiet time with Him. I am
very fortunate to be retired and healthy. I have plenty of time to seek the
Lord with no one else around, and even then, I need to use it more wisely than
I do. It’s a learning process for us all, finding that niche in our life to
upgrade the quality of our “down-time.”
So, we have rested at the
Lord’s campfire. We have been nourished with His presence and His Word. Our
strength is built up and our orders are clear. What orders? In Matthew 22:9 and
28:19 Jesus begins with three words, “Go ye therefore.” Now each of these
verses has a different purpose, but the general thought is there for us too.
It is now time to put another
log on the fire of our heart and be fired up for Him. After our quiet time, we
should be strengthened by the fire of His Word to tell others what Jesus has
revealed to us. He has a message for those who do not know Him as Savior and
Lord. He has said they need to be born again (John 3:7) and we need to tell
them.
“How then shall they call on
him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom
they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Understand this. The word
“preacher” in this verse does not mean we have to be an ordained minister. A
preacher is one who proclaims. We, as Christ’s messenger, are to proclaim His
message. The message is;
“And they said, Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
“For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,
lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
The Lord has also given us
much more to pass on to our brothers and sisters in Christ also. With our
fellow Christian(s), each person and circumstance is different. We need to be
ready to minister to each other in whatever capacity the Lords leads us. That
will be up to Him. We just need to “Go ye therefore.”
So, there is a time to put
another log on the fire and relax. There is also a time to put another log on
the fire of our heart and get busy. Far too many who claim to be a child of
God, have no fire to put a log on. If there ever was a fire, it burned out long
ago. Now there is nothing but ashes. Can it ever be started again? I have good
news. Yes, it can.
Get alone with Jesus and
spend that much needed time with Him. Ask His forgiveness for being lazy,
because that’s what it is, and ask Him to help you get that fire going in your
soul for Him and for others He leads you to. He will, and you will not be
alone. He will be with you every step.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
