Keep the Fire of the Spirit Burning

Summary

This was an English missionary outreach evening of praise and prayer. Speakers urged believers to treasure their fellowship with the Holy Spirit and never to grieve Him, because He is closer than a best friend and lives within us. Each of us is a house of prayer, a vessel meant to keep the fire on the altar burning rather than quenching it through disobedience.

Sobered by the sudden death of a well known athlete, the leaders reminded everyone that we never know when our time will come, so we should stay right with God and with one another, quick to say I love you and God loves you. Testimonies echoed this: God gives a small fire, lets us pass through the cold struggle of the night, and then provides a far greater fire in the morning, for He never gives up on us.

Peter preached on Jacob at Bethel, showing that the vision of the ladder and God's assignment for life began with simple obedience to his parents. The closing word from 2 Timothy 3 warned against being lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than lovers of God, calling believers to seek first His kingdom and, like the prodigal son, to simply come to the Father who runs to meet them.

Key Points

• The Holy Spirit is nearer than a best friend, so never grieve Him through disobedience or careless words.
• You are a house of prayer; keep the fire on your altar burning and let it spread to those around you.
• Life can end in a moment, so stay right with God and be quick to mend things with one another.
• God may give only a small fire today, but after the cold struggle of the night He provides a greater one, for He never gives up on us.
• God's vision and assignment for your life begin with simple obedience, even to your parents, as with Jacob at Bethel.
• Marry only in the Lord, and refuse to grieve the Spirit by joining your life to an unbeliever.
• Seek first the kingdom of God; like the prodigal son, just come to the Father and He will run to meet you.