Fire On The Altar Part Two

How do you know if the fire on the altar of your heart is still burning? Many people put on the fire but fail to maintain it, and so allow it to go out. When this occurs, the evil beasts don't waste time in attacking to ensure that the fire is never put on again and to eliminate the harm the Christian would do to them should he or she be on fire again. This is a warning to you that you must keep the fire burning on the altar. It must never go out.

Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality - Romans 12:11-13 (NKJV).

Sign of fire on the altar

Romans 12:11-13 describes a believing Christian whose fire never goes out. He or she is not lagging in diligence, is fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. He or she rejoices in hope, is patient during tribulation, steadfast in prayer and is good in meeting the needs of others and given to hospitality.

How to keep the fire burning

It is important to take the responsibility of maintaining the fire on the altar of your heart. How much effort you put into it determines how bright and fierce the fire would be. 

1. Word study

The wood on the altar (Leviticus 6:12) represents the word of God. You are expected to keep putting wood into the fire so that it will keep burning. How much of God's word inside of you determines how bright and fierce your fire will be. You are to study the word of the Lord to show yourself approved of Him, to be a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

2. Ceaseless prayers

You are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This keeps the fire burning. A wise man said that a man of prayer is a man full of power. This truth, the enemy knows and will do anything to keep you from praying. Paul in Ephesians 6:18, while listing the whole armour of God, included praying always with all kinds of prayer. It is wisdom to pray without ceasing to ensure that you are always covered from the evil beasts. Read more...