2 Timothy 1:6-7 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].⁷ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Elijah was a man on fire for God calling fire down from heaven. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were men who walked in the fire with Jesus and were not burned. Jesus is the Burning Man in the book of Revelation. The Upper Room saints, praying in agreement with the Word of God and the Promise of God, were set ablaze as the Spirit of God was poured out on them and they were immersed in the Holy Spirit and Fire. Yet, the Apostle Paul has never laid hands on any of us – so what chance do any of us have of stirring up a fire within?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-20 give us a clue: Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Continually be prayerful. ¹⁸ In everything be thankful, because this is God’s will for you in the Messiah Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. ²² Keep away from every kind of evil. ISV

This could be broken down into several directives: be joyful; pray continuously; give thanks continuously; do not put out the Spirit’s Fire – His Grace; do not despise prophecy; hold onto what is good; avoid evil. At the heart of this is a desire to be with Jesus and to host the Holy Spirit’s Presence. What seems to be impossible – like always being joyful and praying continuously – is made possible by two key factors: Holy Spirit and Rigorous Thanksgiving. If you are always giving thanks you have no time for anything that is not joyful. If you are always giving thanks you are continuously praying – because thanksgiving is prayer. If you are overflowing in all three you don’t have time for evil. In fact, I know from personal experience you are inclined to a holiness you can’t even imagine. When all of those factors come together – you become a fire – and there is no room for fear. Fear is the currency of Hell – while Faith is the currency of Heaven. (Just writing about all of this makes me smile).

The Contemporary Christian band, Third Day wrote a song years ago titled: Consuming Fire. Here are some excerpts from the song’s lyrics: Set this place on fire. Send Your spirit, Savior. Rescue from the mire, yeah. Show Your servant favor, yeah. Yes, our God, He is a consuming fire and the flames burn down deep in my soul. Yes, our God, He is a consuming fire. He reaches inside, and He melts down this cold heart of stone. Did you realize that inside of you there is a flame? Did you ever try to let it burn, let it burn, let it burn?

William Wood reminded us two weekends ago: “When you sow a thought – What does it reap? It reaps an action. When you sow an action it reaps a habit. When you sow a habit it reaps a lifestyle. When you sow a lifestyle it reaps a destiny. So there is a divine connection between what you are thinking today and what you are fulfilling tomorrow. Today’s thoughts are literally the prophetic voice of tomorrow’s destiny.”

What about you? What are you sowing into? What are you reaping? Are you fulfilling His Manifest Destiny for your life? Did you realize that inside of you there is a flame? Did you ever try to let it burn, let it burn, let it burn?