When I checked my email and Facebook this morning, I saw a quote written by my very wise friend Barbara Durbin:

The spiritual fire of God within us dies if we don’t have the coals of intimacy smoldering. Holy prayer habits produce these coals. When they are banked and ready for use, the driest of tinders will set them ablaze. That which causes us to drop to our knees is the tinder which produces a friend of God.

Wow, those words stirred in my spirit! It is imperative that we have intimacy with our Lord. I feel that yearning, that tugging on my heart. I’ve been so busy and preoccupied lately … Barbara’s words are so true! Such a visual with the coals that are produced and stored away as we spend time with the Father — Who is a FIRE!

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the Lord your God is a
consuming fire, a jealous God.

Hebrews 12:29
For our God [is indeed] a consuming fire.

When a fire is burning, those around can smell the scent of what is being burned. I love the smell of wood burning in a fire place, don’t you? Can you imagine the aroma of our prayers?

Revelation 8:4
And the smoke of the
incense (the perfume) arose in the presence of God, with the prayers of the people of God (the saints), from the hand of the angel. (Amplified Version)

I love how Barbara pointed out that it doesn’t take much to catch this wonderful spiritual substance ablaze! Just reading her quote this morning stirred up that flame within me.

2 Timothy 1:6
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]. (Amplified Version)

I love how we can be stirred by others who are led by the Holy Spirit and we can fan this flame ourselves!

God, You are so good!

I hope this little post and quote from my wise friend Barbara stirred up some of those coals within YOUR belly this morning.

Fan that flame and burn for the Lord!

What happens when fire isn’t contained? It consumes! Glory! Fire spreads! Holy fire spreads too! It burns up what isn’t holy and ignites what IS holy.

I know I will ponder this truth today.