Something I've Noticed

In the family room of my in-laws home there is a wood burning stove. Every house my father-in-law has lived in, there has been a wood burning stove. When we would come and visit, during the colder months, the stove would be loaded with wood and burning hot. I never paid much attention to it and how it worked.

Since we moved to Springfield in January, I have had to learn how to "operate" the wood burning stove. On the stove are two adjustments for air intake and there is an electric fan/blower to move the heat out of the stove. Depending on the air intake settings, the fire will either have great flame or no flame but greater heat. Sometimes the fire seems to be out altoghter but something I've noticed is that when I open the door to the stove and the sudden rush of air makes the embers really come alive and all of sudden the flames are large and consuming the wood more rapidly.

Very simply, we need the Spirit of God in order to burn hot for His glory and honor. If we, through sin and disobedience, limit the influence of the Spirit of God in our lives, we will not be the followers of Christ God intends. The longer we don't let the air in, i.e. the Spirit of God, we will become cold and useless. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (emphasis added)

We need to allow the Spirit of God to "stir us up" and "rekindle" the fire of serving God with the giftedness we have as followers of Christ. This is a daily discipline to add new fuel (wood) to our lives. We must be completely dependent upon God to work and do what it is He does. We must fall in love with Jesus and "remember our first love" and not grow cold but burn hot with fire for God.

Prayer, Bible reading, meditating on the Word of God, serving, loving, demonstrating the power of God in your life are important disciplines we need to keep the fire burning.

What Was I Thinking

"What was I thinking?" I wonder how many times that phrase has been uttered by us humans? I am sure countless. We ask this rhetorical question following something we should have not done or following after we have eaten something we know we shouldn't have.

Where does this question lead us? Do we change and determine never to do the same inappropriate thing again or is it just a casual, fleeting regret? I wonder if Adam and Eve ever asked this question or if Sampson asked this question following giving up the secret to his strength? What about Jonah when he was in the belly of the whale for three days and nights?

The reality is that we don't have to wonder about these famous bible character's thoughts very long because we have sinned and then, whether internally or verbally, have shouted "what was I thinking!?!" When we worry or we are rude or we get angry or when we use hurtful words or fail to show compassion or _____________ (fill in the blank with whatever you have done that was contrary to the will and character of God).

What is the proper response to our sin? Paul states in 2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly grief (sorrow over sin) produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief (just simple regret) produces death." Our response to agree with God about our sin and then to confess it leads to forgiveness and cleansing. 1 John 1:9 states "If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

When we have those moments and say to our self "what was I thinking?" may we quickly come to our senses and turn back to the Lord, confess our sin and then receive his forgiveness and cleansing.