th-54There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” Exodus 3:2-3 NIV

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Acts 2:2-3 NIV

As a young teen I was excited to go on the church men’s camping trip. While I was in the church kitchen, I took a handful of matches and stuck them in the back pocket of my jeans.  I thought about sneaking off later in the night and making my own campfire. It was time to leave, so we headed to the cars and trucks to leave.

I ended up in the pastor’s station wagon and had to sit in the back area. It was only about a 40 minute drive so I didn’t worry too much about being comfortable. I was laying on top of a spring cot. We made a large loop while leaving the interstate and I chose at that time to reposition myself.

“My butt! My butt!” I hoped all over the back of the compartment slapping my behind. The whole wad of kitchen matches had ignited when I moved across the springs. It burned a whole in my jeans and caused 1st degree burns on my butt. How embarrassing…and now, I did not have any matches left to start my own fire. I had a new appreciation for the phrase, “your sins will surely find you out.”

There is a holy fire of God that does not consume but transforms. It takes what is natural and makes it holy. It has all of the needed characteristics to bring about the transformation with its own power. This is an awesome power to behold.

At the same time, it is amazing how God has created the natural to host the supernatural. The bush had the quality to allow the fire to remain without burning up. Wouldn’t you have loved to experience this moment with Moses, to see a bush burn and not be consumed?

We are made in a far greater measure than a bush. The Holy Spirit who is within you, possesses the same fire from the bush and from the altar that Isaiah experienced. For those who are followers of Jesus…there is a God-fire within you…yet you are not consumed. Rather, the fire purifies and transforms. The fire of God empowers you with the energy to keep in step with the Jesus desires for your life.

Paul uses a similar metaphor when he encourages us to make sure that we do not “quench” the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Even though this fire of God is within us, we still have the ability to limit its impact. We are truly incredibly and wonderfully made.

I am praying for God to give you and me a handful of His matches to ignite a fresh working of the Holy Spirit in us.  Moses was transformed after his experience with the burning bush and it gave him a desire to pursue more of God’s presence for the rest of his life. Isaiah had his tongue touched with a coal of fire from the altar and his words still burn in our hearts. The disciples received the fire of God and 3000 were saved in a day. Peter declared that this promise of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is available to all who trust in Jesus.

Do you hunger for a deeper intimacy with God? More God. Let your fire burn fresh, pure and powerfully in our lives. May we daily experience the fire of God and not be consumed.

Blessings Love y’all