TOPIC: A Moving Fire
FOCUS SCRIPTURE: “He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” (John 5: 35)
Streams of Joy Devotional 2nd January 2023 MESSAGE
Our Focal Scripture speaks of Jesus’ description of John the Baptist as a burning and shining light. Notice that this light that was to shine, was also going to burn. It was not a burning light that was intended to go down. It was a light that was intended to shine and burn all at once. It was that light that was built to attract attention even in the wilderness, but it was also meant to burn and consume. It was to combine burning with shining.
Friend, for every shining that God brings your way this year, commit yourself to more burning. For every favour God brings your way, ensure that you burn on an even higher level. For every time God shows you mercy, don’t enjoy the shining and forget the burning. For every time that men applaud you, don’t only seek to enjoy the applause; seek to increase your burning. Let the increased attention of men on you make you crave for more fire.
Notice that when God appeared to Moses out of the fire, Moses noticed that the flames set the bush on fire, but the fire was not waning. God’s idea of a burning and shining light is that whilst you are shining, your fire that keeps you burning must not even go lower than it ever was. This year, as you shine, don’t lower your prayer fire; don’t reduce your consecration; don’t minimize your walk with God; don’t burn less than you used to burn.
In 2023, don’t be too concerned about how much you are able to shine; be more concerned about how much you are able to burn. Be more interested in how much fire you have in your inner man. Be more concerned about the divine deposits in you. Be more concerned on your current status before God, not your current perception before men. Crave more for heaven’s fire, over and above shining and gaining the applause of men.
Remember, as you shine, also burn. As you gain the applause of men, also seek to gain heaven’s approval.
John 1: 4-5 says: “4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
DECLARATION: My fire level is going higher in 2023; I will burn, and I will shine, in Jesus’ name!
Streams of Joy Devotional 2nd January 2023 By Pastor Jerry Eze; is the dynamic Founder and President of the fast-growing Streams of Joy International. A seasoned Pastor and leader, a consummate conference speaker and leadership coach. The work of ministry have taken him to major platforms around the world
Salvation Prayer
Have you ever made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life?
If not, pray this prayer and start a new life in Christ.
Dear God, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
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