Fire

Ever wonder why sitting around a campfire brings out the deepest and most emotional conversations? Ever thought about how a fire is unlike anything else in all creation? Ever thought that God is trying to tell us something with it?

Whether you have realized it or not, the word "fire" is mentioned 364 times in the NIV Bible. There has to be more to it, right? With the wildfires ripping through Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, and many other parts of the country, my thoughts have turned to the spiritual connections that a fire provides. The conclusion I have come to is that God reveals some of His character to us through fire.

Let's look at the characteristics of a fire
- A fire can be started with just a spark.
- A fire consumes anything in its path.
- A massive wildfire cannot be controlled through any human attempts.
- A fire provides light.
- A fire provides warmth.
- A fire pursues and consumes the dry and the broken.
- After a fire burns through, much needed life begins to grow.

Sound familiar at all?

I believe that my God is like a fire defending me. "Refiner's fire, my hearts one desire is to be holy and set apart for you my Master, ready to do Your will." Look into your heart and find the fires you have in your life (sin, guilt, regret, etc.). Know that the Lord's fire for us and His relentless love for us burns a lot hotter than any fires we have in our lives. Just as fire departments use fire to stop fires through controlled burns, let Jesus put out your sinful fires with His passionate fire for you. 

"For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." 
- Deut. 4:24