Is your faith growing cold? Do you feel that you are losing ground in spiritual things? Or are you On Fire for God? Is your love for God burning to share it with others? Let’s talk today about how to fan the flames of your faith.
The Holy Spirit is the Fire in us
When we give our lives over to God, He gives us the Holy Spirit to emblazon our hearts with His love, joy, peace, etc. But the thing is that many of us have invited Christ in but we haven’t given Him complete control of our lives. So then, we are still missing out on that victorious life of which the Bible speaks.
We can quench the fire in us
Yes, disobedience to God or blatant sin in our life throws cold water over that fire of the Holy Spirit. He cannot stay alive in our lives if we are constantly going against His will. There is more to salvation than just allowing Him into your life. We must give Him complete control through obedience and allowing Him to clean out the dross within our lives.
So, How do we Get the Fire Started or Fan the Flames?
It takes intentionality. We need to enact the spiritual disciplines into our life. They are simple but not always easy. Anne Graham Lotz shares a few of these with us in her new book coming out in October.
{These disciplines} include
1. Daily Prayer
2. Daily Bible Reading
3. Sharing the Gospel
4. Continuous obedience as you live out what God says in His word.
5. Continuous trust as you relinquish you expectation and let Him have His way.
6. Deepening surrender to His authority-especially during times of pain and suffering.
Which Discipline do you lack?
Jesus in Me, Anne Graham Lotz, Chapter 16, page 124
A Little About the Book, Jesus in Me
I was so excited about being on this launch team. I could hardly wait to get my hands on this book about Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion.
First, it was just amazing to me that she could write to us WHILE she was going through cancer treatments. I know that when I am struggling through life’s trials, it is nearly impossible for me to even write in my journal. I just don’t want to face the issues. She has been amazing.
Secondly, as always she shares openly and honestly about her own faith. Where she succeeds and where she fails. Then she tells us what she learned. Anne openness helps me connect with her as a common friend. I’m not intimidated by her because she is Rev. Billy Graham’s daughter. More so, I welcome her advice.
Thirdly, this book on the Holy Spirit is greatly needed. From my point of view. Many are not tapping into what He can do for us. Anne can help us do that.
Now, on to How to Fan the Flames
First, Daily Prayer
I am saddened that even church folks seem uninterested in taking time to pray. But this is our Life-line to God. I’m seriously considering majoring on writing about this discipline more in the coming year. Elizabeth Boles guest posted earlier in the year on The Importance of Prayer.
You may feel you don’t know how to pray. What words should you say? Maybe your tongue gets tangled between your teeth when you try to pray. I’ve always felt that others were so much more elegant than I when they pray. Emily P. Freeman from The Next Right Thing says to borrow their prayers! You can find a prayer online on nearly any subject imaginable. It’s a great place to start. Before long, you will be praying with the best of them.
Second, Read Your Bible
A co-worker once said to me, “Why do you keep reading the Bible? Just read it through once, close it up, and say “That was great.”
At the time I was speechless. I really didn’t know what to say and I feared I would find myself in a discussion that I was unable to stand firm on. But do you know what God says?
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
In retrospect, I wish I had said how God’s Word is living and active in the soul’s of man. That it is alive and new every day. Because that is the truth.
Earlier this year, we wrote about Why and How to Read Your Bible. Check out this post for some help.
God's Word is Living and Active in the soul's of man. It is New and Alive every day! #Jesusinme #bookreview Share on XThird, Share Your Faith
Always be prepared to give an answer. Goodness! Too many of really have no idea what we believe. It’s time to get in the Word and know what you know. There is no excuse today since we have the world at our fingertips. IF you haven’t been through your local church membership class, it may be time to do that. Find out what you believe.
I wrote earlier this year about how to debunk some of the excuses we have for not sharing our faith. Seriously, friend. When we stand at the judgment seat, do you want your friends and those with whom you interact to ask you why you never shared the Gospel with them? Read more here.
Additionally, Fellowship with other Christians and Church Attendance
Why is it that we think we can maintain a good Cristian walk on our own? We go out into the world and rub elbows with all the filth and before long we stink like the world. There are things we can only get when we are attending church and Bible Study
- Fellowship with other Christians.
- Encouragement.
- Training. (We all can learn something new)
- To be with like-minded friends.
- Accountability.
It’s time to find a local church and get involved.
Yes. there will be some hypocrites around. But they are there to learn and improve. Maybe you can learn and improve too! There are also some amazing Christians and Bible teachers there as well. Go rub elbows with them!
The church is like a hospital. It’s for the sick. We don’t say we won’t go to the hospital because there are sick people there. We go because there are doctors and nurses that can help us get better.
Speaking of sharing the Gospel
Finally, one of the best ways to spread the Gospel is within your own family. Are you teaching your children The Word of God? Are you taking them to Sunday School so they will know that Jesus Loves Them?
I know it’s hard to get up on Sunday morning and get everyone ready to go. Sometimes it all seems futile. But it’s not. You are setting a precedent. You are showing the importance of knowing God and placing Him first in your life. Here are some tips to help you get to church on time.
I encourage you to work on the disciplines. Pick up Anne’s new book today. It will change your life.
Pastor’s Wife (retired) & Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.
Spent some extended time with the Lord today. Hadn’t done that in a while and it definitely made a difference. Visiting you from the porch stories link up. laurensparks.net
I can always tell when I haven’t spend quality time with my Lord. Thanks for dropping by.
Intentionality. I agree that it is SO key. It’s easy to take the presence of the Lord for granted, and to even forget about it. But if we are intentional, it can really improve our relationship with Him. Thanks for this, Mandy!
Anne’s book is a great great reminder of all things Holy Spirit. And it’s an easy read for a “scary” topic. Thanks for coming by!