If you are a Sunday School teacher, preacher, small group leader, etc. and you have just a few friendly faces to preach/teach on a weekly basis….do not be discouraged, because the “lips of the righteous feed many.” Three months ago a little comment in a prayer meeting stirred my heart and challenged my life. “If you want to have fire on your altars there must be sacrifice.” I have been thinking on that ever since, and God has blessed me this week with some scripture to go along with it. (It’s not worth anything if you can’t back it up with Bible.)
“But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.” Leviticus 1:13
When I was a boy I wanted to play the guitar. So, I saved my money went out and bought a guitar; Mom and Dad chipped in as well J We also, went in together and paid for some lessons. I began to learn a few songs, a couple tunes here and there, but soon found out that I did not want to play guitar as bad as I wanted to play: soccer, football, and basketball. I wanted to play guitar, but not as bad as I wanted to go fishing, hang out with my friends, etc. I soon came to discover that I wanted to play guitar, but I did not want to practice playing guitar. I wanted the idea of it, more than the action it took to get there. I wanted the glory of the skill, more than the sacrifice it took to acquire it.
“I want to be a light unto the world, a city set on a hill.” “I want to shine my light each and every day.” “I want the fire that the “old folks” had in meetings.” “I want the pews of my church to be filled with people seeking salvation.” “I want…..I want…..I want….” Have you ever heard these comments before? I have, because I have said these very words. My question to you, and to myself is. How bad do you want it? We want to be lights unto the world, to our friends at school; to our co-workers in the work place, to those around us. We want the fire of God to burn brightly within so all around will see. But are we willing to sacrifice to get the fire burning? How bad do we want it? Do we want it more than our job? Status? Reputation? 401k? How bad do we want it? Or do we want the idea more than the action? We want the “fire” our meetings, and in our preaching? How bad do we want it? Are we willing to sacrifice, and pay the price, to get the fire down? If we want to have the fire, there must be a sacrifice.
It’s the fire of God that people see, they gather from the corners of the cold dark world to warm themselves. It’s the fire of God that melts a sinner’s heart, consumes carnality, and leaves an ever burning flame of love towards man and God; this flame, the Holy Ghost fire that will ward off Satan’s hungry wolves. We want it; we desire it, but how much? Are we willing to pay price? Are we willing to sacrifice? God wants the heart, the inner most desire has to be for him and his will for you. His will in your life must be supreme. “If you want there to be fire on the alter, there must be a sacrifice.”
I never learned to play the guitar, I always found time for something else, and something, I wanted more……..
Thoughts?
