My oil and gas engineering business keeps me away from home much of the time, and while away I spend more than 90% of the time away on drilling locations far removed from towns and cities. I seldom have the opportunity to attend church until I get back home, so it is very important that I stay close to our Savior by reading and studying the Word daily, and through prayer. Every now and then, I miss a day or two of my studying, and then I catch myself feeling a little “down in the Spirit”. I just don't seem to have that extreme fire for our Lord that normally burns inside of me. The fire cools to a flicker. These occasional times don't' last long. I catch my fire dimming, and I begin to add fuel to the fire so the blaze returns.
A few weeks ago while I was on a drilling location near Laredo, Texas, I spoke with Marie, a friend of mine, from my home church. She told me that the whole congregation was really down in the Spirit. Attendance on Sunday evening had dropped so low, that the elders decided to discontinue the Sunday evening service. I was told that two members were planning to go out to a sports bar to relax after work one evening. Knowing these two people, and how much they love the Lord, I became extremely concerned. I began to pray that God would intercede, and touch the hearts of my church family. I prayed that the fire that burns in the hearts of my church family will return to a blaze with extreme love for Jesus Christ.
When we begin to fall away from our Christian nature, and our walk with Jesus, we slowly drift back to the old nature. We lose that internal fire for Christ. We begin to lose that kindness, and love for others that come from being filled with the Holy Spirit. When you feel down in the Spirit, do something nice, show kindness, and show love. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.” Ephesians 4:31 Jesus is perfect love. Jesus is unequalled in kindness. As Christians we are to be imitators of Christ. When we are following Jesus Christ, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We have the same nature as Jesus, and therefore we should have the same kindness, and love for others that Jesus had. “Instead, be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 As you draw close again in your walk with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit begins to live within you, your fire will once again burn. You will have that intensity for Jesus.
When you feel the Holy Spirit fire is starting to flicker, maybe it is because you have been starving the Fire. Have you been on some sort of a diet, not getting your daily bread? Then get fed! “You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.” 1 Peter 2:2,3 Get out your Bible and read. Be fed the Word of God, and receive your daily bread. Turn on your radio, CD player or cassette player then listen, and sing praise and worship songs. Watch some Christian television. Be fed, and drink from the Living Waters.
Have you ever noticed that when you start talking about something that you really like, you begin to feel especially good inside as you talk about this thing. The same thing happens when you start to share something awesome that has happened in your walk with Jesus. Jesus said, “No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Mark 5:19. As you share this experience, the Holy Spirit fire inside begins to blaze. As you share your testimony with someone, your love for Jesus becomes obvious, you begin to feel awesome in the Lord. “And when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere…to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
We have all had those times in our life where we just felt down about something. We had life's situations dealing with us, and we just needed to talk to someone. After we visited with Bob, or Joe, Mary or Linda, we felt a sense of relief. The same thing is true with our Christianity. There are times when we catch ourselves a little down in the spirit. That flaming excitement for Jesus just isn't there like it usually is. Well don't let the fire die. Go visit a Christian brother or sister and talk about your feeling. Fellowship with your Christian family. Pray together. Paul spoke of this in his letter to the Christians in Rome, and to believers everywhere when he said, “…I will come to you with a happy heart and we can be an encouragement to each other.” Romans 15:32 Our Christian brothers, and sisters are valuable. Their encouragement and support is vital in our Christian lives. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Thousands of years ago when man first discovered and began using fire, each clan, community, or tribe would appoint an individual to be the “Keeper of the Fire”. Each community had a central, or main fire burning at all times, and the citizens of the community would go to this central fire to get (or receive) some fire to take back to their family's home. This was a very important position because of the value of fire. The fire provided light so that places that were once dark and unclear became bright and visible. Fire provided warmth, and protection. If the fire went out it would be difficult to start a new fire, so the Keeper of the Fire had the responsibility of keeping the fire burning at all times. When the fires went out in the homes of the community, the head of the household would go to this central fire to get (or receive) some fire to take back to their family. In the same way we are to be Keepers of the Fire to our Christian family. The Holy Spirit provides us with certain warmth and protection. He provides light and wisdom so that what is dark and unclear, become understandable. It is important that we keep the fire for Jesus burning inside us. We cannot let this fire die. It is our responsibility to be sure to keep the Holy Spirit fires burning in our Christian family. We are to be Keepers of the Fire.
When you feel that the fire inside you is beginning to flicker then maybe you should examine your relationship with Jesus Christ. Is He still your very best friend, or have some things in your life come between you and Jesus? I can't begin to stress the importance of a loving, best friend, favorite Brother relationship with Jesus. You must have that closest of close relationship with your Savior. “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, more than your own life.” Luke 14:26 When you totally surrender yourself to Jesus you have allowed the extreme fire of the Holy Spirit room to blaze within you. Your love for Christ becomes intense as you are consumed in His love for you. Your relationship becomes the relationship that is required to be in the true company of Jesus. You become His friend. “You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you my servants…Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father has told me.” John 15:14-15 How much more awesome can it be for Jesus to call you His friend. It gets even better, you become His family. “So now Jesus and the ones He makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:11,12 We (all believers) who have been set apart for God's service, cleansed, and made holy (sanctified) by Jesus now have the same Father Jesus has, so Jesus has made us His brothers and sisters.
We all experience those times when the fire for Christ flickers inside us. It is so very important to never let the fire die. Always remember that there are ways to feed fuel to a dying fire. Turn that flicker into a blaze and then go out and tell the world about Jesus Christ, your best friend, your brother.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2002 Steven R. Ridenour
