An identity of passion

When I am using my mother tongue and want to ask a person what his passion is, I will ask: “What are you on fire for?” - I like that phrase. We are different personalities, however, you do not need to be an extrovert to be on fire for something. I know typical introverts who are very passionate in their fields of interest.

Last week I focused on the “tongues of fire” that came upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. If people have to move in the same direction towards a common goal they need to be able to communicate in a common language. The confusion of Babel is an example of what can happen when people do not understand one another (1). On the Day of Pentecost people received a tongue that surpasses the languages of Babel – all of a sudden they could understand. It was a unifying language of fire, of passion that opened insight into divine truths.

When I read about William Booth, I see a very passionate man. If I could have asked him what his passion was, I am sure he would have answered something like “The world for God!” or just “Souls!”. I am also convinced that this passion kept him moving towards that goal for the whole of his life. What I am on fire for will help me keep the momentum, keep me moving towards the goal.

Therefore, it is important for me to frequently check the ‘temperature’ of the fire in my life.

In the wilderness, the Israelites for a long period almost forgot that they were on the move towards a goal. And by the mount Horeb they had camped for so long that God had to recharge them again:

“You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance…”
Deuteronomy 1:6-7

Also the first disciples needed frequent refilling of The holy spirit to keep the fire burning (2) and move to with the Spirit. If they needed that, I need it too, because I need passion, I need the fire.

‘Manna’ for today:

I need fire to be on fire

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(1) Genesis 11:1-9
(2) Acts 4:31

What did the ancestors do?

NORSK
I have noticed that the Norwegian channel NRK is running a new season of "Who Do You Think You Are?" a series in which famous people are helped to "climb in their family tree". As an extension to yesterday's reflection, I will dwell on what Paul said about his family:

God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience
2 Tim 1:3

The statement that the ancestors worshiped God with a "clear conscience", is a recognition that they served God in accordance with the revelation they had. I reckon that their pure conscience rested on the fact that they were “faultless as for righteousness based on the law" (1) - the same testimony Paul gave himself for the time before he met Jesus Christ.

It is also likely that Paul valued their faith, and the fact that this blessing ran for generations and reached Paul himself. This is in accordance with God's promise in the Law of Moses:

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deut 7:9 

It was important for Paul to convey the idea of ​​such a legacy to Timothy as he too could enjoy a similar blessing: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2)

I am thankful to those of my ancestors who sowed blessing for future generations, and for my family I pray that this blessing is not going to stop with me, but will continue to flow from generation to generation. So that this promise can be fulfilled: “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord. (3)

‘Manna’ for today:

Let the blessing flow!

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(1) Phil 3:6
(2) 2 Timothy 1:5
(3) Isaiah 59:21

It is about hardship and adversity

NORSK
When Magna last week shared thoughts about her role-models during a holiness-seminar in Ukraine, it was interesting to notice that a common factor was how they live their lives in situations of hardship and adversity. It is in such times that the fruit becomes visible.

The verse I quoted yesterday was about being planted at the right place to be able to bear fruit in the right time. Jeremiah elaborated on this theme, and added some thoughts on the rough times:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jer 17:7-8

When I know where my roots are, I do not need to worry about the rough times.

“The famous preacher D.L. Moody was once asked:
- Moody, do you believe that you have strength and courage to face death for Jesus’ name’s sake?
D.L. Moody, who had led many people to faith in Jesus Christ, had the habit of answering practical and simple, replied:
- No, I do not have this strength today, because today I do not need it. However, if the day should come that I am called to die for my Saviour, I know that he also will give me the strength that I need.
Then he quoted Deuteronomy 33:25 - 'As your days, so shall your strength be'.”

‘Manna’ for today:

It is about knowing that the fruit will come when I need it

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