I have been blessed to pastor Bethlehem Baptist Church for nearly 40 years. Over this time, I have witnessed many people join the church with great fire and enthusiasm. They would be present every Sunday, eagerly join ministries, and serve the Lord with zeal. However, unfortunately, that initial fire often does not last.
It amazes me how quickly the fire can go out in our service to the Lord. This has become especially evident post-pandemic, as many have lost their passion to attend worship. There are many reasons the fire may dwindle—troubles or burdens, a broken marriage, sudden unemployment—the list goes on and on. But the reality is that life will bring trials and challenges, and we must persevere and remain consistent.
As the Scripture says, “the race is not given to the swift, but to those who endure to the end.” It is essential that we honor God in our daily lives in order to keep the fire burning within us. We must never allow that fire to go out.
If we are not careful, we can lose our sense of purpose and passion for worshipping God in spirit and truth. Now, more than ever—with all the turmoil in our world and nation—we need to burn bright for the Lord. We can depend on Him and refuse to let anything take away the blessings that come from worshipping our God.
Our flames must be lit daily so that those around us can see Jesus shining brightly in our lives. Worship is not about going through the motions; it must be a real, deep, and abiding faith that honors God every day of our lives.
We should look forward to every opportunity to come to the house of God—to praise, worship, and serve Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. Whatever you do, do not let the fire go out.
Take time to remember the blessings God has richly and freely given you. Reflect on your life and see how God has been faithful—perhaps the time He healed you when you were sick, comforted you in losing a loved one, or opened doors and provided blessings when you least expected it. Remember also how He has forgiven you, not just once, but over and over again.
When much is given, much is required. We owe God so much because He has been good to us.
It is my fervent prayer that you are grateful not only for what God has done but also for what He is doing and will do. May you eagerly anticipate coming to the house of God so that you can say, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
Enter with fire, and leave with fire—giving God praise, glory, and honor every day, because all we have comes from Him. He deserves our highest praise.
I want to leave you with this question: Has your fire gone out? If so, reignite that fire today. And if your fire is still burning, let it burn brighter because you have experienced the awesome blessings of God.
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*Misty Copeland broke barriers as the first Black female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Now, through her nonprofit, she’s making dance more accessible for children of color.*
https://www.phillytrib.com/religion/keep-the-fire-in-your-worship/article_313cd036-2edf-4dfc-bdf0-3e31ff387c5f.html