Holy Altar Fire

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

 Leviticus 6:13 (KJV)

Pray without ceasing. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

If the fire in a person’s heart is always burning for God, that individual will always be inclined to pray.  When trouble arises, that person will instantly seek God’s help.  Therefore, the altar of private prayer is the very essence of the worship of God.  Keep it burning for your own benefit, but also for others who may need the light and warmth of it, when covered by the darkness of temptation or tribulation. Secret devotions are the very evidence and barometer of a person’s vital and genuine faith in God.

Burn your own sacrifices on the altar of your heart. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).  Allow your own sessions shut in the closet of your heart to be regular, frequent, and undisturbed. The fervent, effectual prayer of a person who is right with God does avail much, just as James 5:16 promises.   No one can ever say they have nothing for which to pray – there is the church and its ministries, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbors, your country, and the purposes of God and his truth throughout the world.

 

Each of us needs to examine ourselves concerning our private means of worship. Do we engage in it half-heartedly, causing our devotional fire to burn low? If so, become alarmed, and cry out to God for help to meet the need. For, if our fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of worldly cares and conformity, it will lessen our influence in our families, in the Church, and in the world.

 

The heart is an altar indeed, and God loves to see the hearts of his people glowing with love and respect for him there.  Give your heart to God, and he will keep it with love, because he is love.  Seek his help, so the fire on your altar may never be quenched. Our enemies will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand of God  pours the Holy oil of his Spirit thereon, it will blaze higher and higher. Scripture serves as good kindling for our heart’s fire. Also, it is important to hear the Word of God preached; it becomes like live coals to keep our fire burning. Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).   But, above everything else, we should spend time alone with our Lord.  He is the one who will enable us to be found… Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer (Rom. 12:12). 

Praise: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4 (KJV)

 

Promise: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  (Matthew 7:7 (KJV)

Prayer:   Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalms 143:10 (KJV)