Summer Burn
As temperatures heat up across the nation – let’s challenge ourselves to turn up our inner temperature for the things of God. (Luke 24:30-32)
This day had started out with profound sadness and loss of hope. There were rumors that Jesus had resurrected but it was all so confusing. They walked along the road, heads down and hopes crushed. What was next? What would happen now? What were they supposed to do? They were joined on their journey by a Stranger Who seemed to know nothing about the recent events. Yet, when He spoke to them something began to happen to their hearts. They were so deeply affected by the conversation that they begged the Man to join them for a meal so that they could continue on in their discussion.
We know from reading this chapter in Luke’s Gospel that this Man wasn’t a Stranger at all; it was Jesus. The powerful discovery was that as they spent time with Jesus, desire was birthed in their hearts! Where there had only been despondency and apathy – desire was birthed. Where dullness was clouding their thoughts and purposes – the fire of God’s love and revelation burned within their hearts. (Luke 24:32 TPT)
A footnote in The Passion Translation on this verse tells us that the Latin and Aramaic words for dull and burning are almost identical. How often do we allow familiarity with Lord, His Word and His wonderful Presence grow dull, where once burning passion had been evident?! How frequently does our devotion become duty and our flame burn low?
These disciples had experienced some of the greatest experiences with Jesus one could ever hope for. They had heard messages from God spill from His lips and yet, through the crushing, they had lost hope and lost their fire.
How did Jesus turn the despondency of His disciples into determination and devotion? He did it by releasing the fire of God through His Word! He needed to shake His followers out of their sorrow and shallowness of heart and revive the mission of the Gospel! The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed: (Jeremiah 20:9 TPT)
The prophet had come to a place of discouragement and despair – a place where He was giving up on the calling and purposes of His ministry. God did not leave Him in this place but ignited His heart with a burning that could not be contained!
I’m reminded of an imperative instruction from the book of Leviticus. (Leviticus 6:13 NLT)
This was the altar of sacrifice. This was a messy place of offering and ablution. A wonderful entry point moving toward access to the Presence of God. But religious practice, if we are not careful, can bring dullness, a duty that prescribes practice without devotion.
God warned – REMEMBER – Don’t let the fire go out! I want us to be stirred, as the modern-day altars of the Presence of God, to NEVER let the fire go out! To stir the embers of past devotion and latent desire for a fresh touch from the Holy Spirit to enflame our passion for Him again! (Romans 12:1-2 TPT)
Acceptable sacrifices in the Old Testament worship system were always accompanied by fire! We need the fire of His Presence more than ever!! We are living sacrifices, mobile altars of the Presence of God! Empowered to live out His purposes in this life! Inwardly ignited to pursue His calling and fulfill His good plans, not only for ourselves but for all those who are connected to our lives! (Luke 12:49 TPT)
These are the words of Jesus! This is the expression of His desire! He longed for us to experience the Presence and power of God! John the Baptist preached about the coming of Jesus and that it would include a baptism that would be transformational. (Luke 3:16-17 TPT)
The footnote on this passage is particularly insightful: “The Aramaic text reads ‘He will baptize you into the Spirit of the Holy One and in light.’ A baptism of light or fire would cleanse and change a life, giving new power to live for God and deal with every issue that hinders love and passion from burning in our hearts. It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that all believers need today.” (Simmons, Brian, “The Passion Translation New Testament: With Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs,” p. 314. Kindle Edition.)
We need this fire, not just in promise or in a from of hype, but a true burning that ignites our hearts when the Scriptures are read, when we experience His very real Presence. A fire that removes every hindrance of love. Fire is a part of the essence of God – our proximity to Him will release a burning in our hearts and lives! (Hebrews 12:29)
There was a generation of preachers who talked about being set on fire so that the people would come and watch them burn! Oh, how we need this burning again! Not only in the pulpits but in every heart showing forth the reality of the resident Fire! (Luke 12:49 NLT)
Ask Him for His fire today! Let’s allow the burning to cleanse us and flow through us in fresh ways!!
This day had started out with profound sadness and loss of hope. There were rumors that Jesus had resurrected but it was all so confusing. They walked along the road, heads down and hopes crushed. What was next? What would happen now? What were they supposed to do? They were joined on their journey by a Stranger Who seemed to know nothing about the recent events. Yet, when He spoke to them something began to happen to their hearts. They were so deeply affected by the conversation that they begged the Man to join them for a meal so that they could continue on in their discussion.
We know from reading this chapter in Luke’s Gospel that this Man wasn’t a Stranger at all; it was Jesus. The powerful discovery was that as they spent time with Jesus, desire was birthed in their hearts! Where there had only been despondency and apathy – desire was birthed. Where dullness was clouding their thoughts and purposes – the fire of God’s love and revelation burned within their hearts. (Luke 24:32 TPT)
A footnote in The Passion Translation on this verse tells us that the Latin and Aramaic words for dull and burning are almost identical. How often do we allow familiarity with Lord, His Word and His wonderful Presence grow dull, where once burning passion had been evident?! How frequently does our devotion become duty and our flame burn low?
These disciples had experienced some of the greatest experiences with Jesus one could ever hope for. They had heard messages from God spill from His lips and yet, through the crushing, they had lost hope and lost their fire.
How did Jesus turn the despondency of His disciples into determination and devotion? He did it by releasing the fire of God through His Word! He needed to shake His followers out of their sorrow and shallowness of heart and revive the mission of the Gospel! The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed: (Jeremiah 20:9 TPT)
The prophet had come to a place of discouragement and despair – a place where He was giving up on the calling and purposes of His ministry. God did not leave Him in this place but ignited His heart with a burning that could not be contained!
I’m reminded of an imperative instruction from the book of Leviticus. (Leviticus 6:13 NLT)
This was the altar of sacrifice. This was a messy place of offering and ablution. A wonderful entry point moving toward access to the Presence of God. But religious practice, if we are not careful, can bring dullness, a duty that prescribes practice without devotion.
God warned – REMEMBER – Don’t let the fire go out! I want us to be stirred, as the modern-day altars of the Presence of God, to NEVER let the fire go out! To stir the embers of past devotion and latent desire for a fresh touch from the Holy Spirit to enflame our passion for Him again! (Romans 12:1-2 TPT)
Acceptable sacrifices in the Old Testament worship system were always accompanied by fire! We need the fire of His Presence more than ever!! We are living sacrifices, mobile altars of the Presence of God! Empowered to live out His purposes in this life! Inwardly ignited to pursue His calling and fulfill His good plans, not only for ourselves but for all those who are connected to our lives! (Luke 12:49 TPT)
These are the words of Jesus! This is the expression of His desire! He longed for us to experience the Presence and power of God! John the Baptist preached about the coming of Jesus and that it would include a baptism that would be transformational. (Luke 3:16-17 TPT)
The footnote on this passage is particularly insightful: “The Aramaic text reads ‘He will baptize you into the Spirit of the Holy One and in light.’ A baptism of light or fire would cleanse and change a life, giving new power to live for God and deal with every issue that hinders love and passion from burning in our hearts. It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that all believers need today.” (Simmons, Brian, “The Passion Translation New Testament: With Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs,” p. 314. Kindle Edition.)
We need this fire, not just in promise or in a from of hype, but a true burning that ignites our hearts when the Scriptures are read, when we experience His very real Presence. A fire that removes every hindrance of love. Fire is a part of the essence of God – our proximity to Him will release a burning in our hearts and lives! (Hebrews 12:29)
There was a generation of preachers who talked about being set on fire so that the people would come and watch them burn! Oh, how we need this burning again! Not only in the pulpits but in every heart showing forth the reality of the resident Fire! (Luke 12:49 NLT)
Ask Him for His fire today! Let’s allow the burning to cleanse us and flow through us in fresh ways!!
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