DON'T PUT OUT YOUR FIRE

"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV

The Holy Spirit was moving in the Thessalonian church and Paul wanted the people in the church to guard against quenching what God was doing in their midst. What does Paul mean when he says, "Quench not the Spirit"? Different translations of this same verse can help clarify this statement made by Paul: "Do not quench (suppress or subdue)" (AMP); "Do not smother the Holy Spirit" (TLB); "Do not extinguish the Spirit’s fire."(Berkeley); and "Do not stifle the inspiration of the Spirit."(NEB).

The Greek word for "quench" is "Sbennumi" which means "to extinguish" or "to go out." The word quench in the Greek means to extinguish, suppress, subdue, stifle, snuff out or cause something to dry up. In scripture, the Holy Spirit has been likened to fire, and fire can be extinguished, stifled, or snuffed out.

You did not start or kindle the Heavenly Fire, but you can extinguish it. There are consequences when you quench the Spirit. When you do, God will be silent and when He leaves you, He will not announce it. The spirit of Error sets in; you'll start doing things in error (making mistakes and blunders). The mind becomes callous to all that class of truths and knowledge will be assumed (forgetting). Don't put out your own fire.

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 1:6; Mark 9:50 

Declare This: Dear Father, I will not quench my fire neither will I allow any external force put it out. I will continue to follow after You with my whole heart in Jesus name Amen.

FAITH COMMUNICATES

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." Matthew 21:21 KJV

Every Christian is in a battle. There is a perpetual struggle against Satan and his kingdom. Our enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8); but those who resist the devil will see him flee (James 4:7). The only ones whom he devours are those who don't actively fight against him. Jesus makes it very clear in our text verse above that we must have faith and doubt not. Every believer has faith, but most believers also have an abundance of doubt that negates their faith. 

One key for any successful relationship is communication. This is true in the case of a marriage, a parent-child, brother-sister, or any other type of relationship. It is also very true of our relationship with God. We need to ensure that our lines of communication are open when it comes to our relationship with our Lord and Savior. Knowing this to be so, God has always kept an open channel of communication with us, His children. Effective communication is a 2-way process; Prayers are sent up to God and God sends our answers down to us. When faith is used backed in prayer, God sends answers but when doubt is communicated, the communication line is distorted.

Failure to recognize that you need to use your faith everyday will cause doubt, fear and anxiety. From the text verse above, for your faith to be recognized, you have to always use the power of your mouth; you have to consistently speak into existence what you want in communication with the Lord. God's hand even in the smallest thing will cause peace and will keep your heart and mind stayed on Him.

Further Scripture Study: Mark 11:22-23 

Declare This: Dear Lord, thank You for the relationship You always want to have with me. I will consistently use my faith and stay away from doubt in Jesus name Amen.

TEST OF FAITH

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:1-2 NIV

How would you feel if God tells you to "Take the best, the most treasured possession you have, the object of your love & give it to me." I'm sure you will get ready series of strong reasons why God should change His mind. Abraham simply obeyed and not rebel at the instruction of God. These test was a test of Abraham’s faith in God. 

Abraham didn’t know what was going to happen, he knew that God had given him a specific command & that command was to sacrifice his son. So he said, "I will do it; I will obey; He knew exactly what the command to sacrifice meant. He knew for sure that, "The Lord would provide Vs 7-8." 

That is a child like faith no questions asked. "The Lord will provide" whatever the circumstances, whatever happens even if Isaac is dead God is still going to provide. This is what I call a "Test of Faith". I would encourage you to have a faith that never questions what God is doing and a faith that never argues with God, but always in obedience to Him. 

God never intended to take Isaac, only to test Abraham. And the test was not for God's sake, but for Abraham's. God intended to bring Abraham to full surrender to Himself and to full faith. The test you go through is to prove your trust for Him and your submission to His Perfect Will. Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible; There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends. Failure to use your faith will keep you on the same level that you’ve been on for a long time. Ensure whenever your faith is tested, always come out with an "A+".  

Further Scripture Study: Hebrews 11:17 

Declare This: Dear Father, I will always put my faith to work and never allow my flesh dictate to me in Jesus name Amen.

THE ABILITY OF THE WORD

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

God’s Word has power. It isn’t just ink on a page; it’s living and active. It penetrates and does things according to what it says. You hear it, and it goes in your ears, or you read it, and it enters in by the eyes, and immediately it goes to work. It starts to accomplish God’s purpose in you, to strengthen your faith, to give you understanding, to open your eyes to the truth, to draw you to God in love so that you can know Him more. God’s Word always accomplishes its purpose in us, whenever we allow the Word in.

One of the ways the Word shows its power is by exposing what’s in our heart. It penetrates deeply into our soul, like a sword, cutting through all the layers of pretense, until it finally gets to the truth. It reveals our thoughts and attitudes. It tears down every wall of religion and shows us whether we truly are what we think we are. God knows us completely. He’s not fooled by appearances; He sees what’s in our heart. 

The Word’s power isn’t limited just to searching our hearts and revealing what’s there. The Word also has the power to change us, to purify us, to renew us and transform us. The more we are in God’s Word, the more we will think like God thinks. The more we will love what He loves and hate what He hates, the more we will value what He values. The more we will be able to distinguish between truth and falsehood, between good and evil; the more we are in His Word, the more we will be like Him. The more we are in the Word, the more deeply we will know Him and love Him. Be a doer of the Word.

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Samuel 16:7; James 1:22-25 

Declare This: Heavenly Father, Your Word is all I need for a successful and fruitful life. I choose to study and stay in the Word always in Jesus name Amen.

GOD'S SOLDIER

"Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus". 2 Timothy 2:3 ASV

The army is a place of discipline and toughness. A soldier in service is controlled with an ordered lifestyle. He endures tough physical and mental training and always at the disposal of his commanding officer. When its time for war, he can't give excuses because he is under an oath and his life is no longer his as long as he remains in the army. He is a legitimate soldier of his Country. 

When you give your life to Christ, you were enrolled as a soldier in God's army; You are now a bona-fide and authentic soldier in God's army. 2 Timothy 2:4 ASV says "No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier". When you realize that you are a soldier in God's army, you begin to understand that you are called to a life of spiritual discipline. It's no longer the case of doing what you feel like doing or what you want to do, you learn to take instructions from the Holy Ghost because He is your Grand Commanding General.

At this point, going to church no longer become optional to you. The army soldier has no choice but to always resume his job everyday and at a particular time. You are also an army soldier and you have a responsibility to always be in church and be there at the time stipulated for any service. Prayer becomes part of the daily lifestyle of the soldier in God's army and Soul Winning also becomes unquestionable. The Soldier takes an active role in the expansion of God's Kingdom and in all church activities. Keep your uniform on and stand firm in Faith as a good soldier in God's army.

Further Scripture Study: Ephesians 6:12 

Declare This: Dear Father, I've made up my mind to remain one of Your soldiers and I commit myself to carrying out the instructions You laid out in Your Word in Jesus name Amen.

NO ROOM FOR ANXIETY

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 NIV

Do you ever have moments when anxiety tries to creep up on you and seize your heart? I’m talking about those times when you are thrown into a state of panic about things that concern you; such as your family, your friendships, your business, or your finances. Very often this state of panic is caused by the mere thought of a problem that doesn’t even exist and is unlikely ever to come to pass. Nevertheless, the mere thought of this non-existent problem troubles you deeply. Soon you find yourself sinking into such a strong state of worry and anxiety that it literally takes you emotionally hostage.

The only way be to free from any form of anxiety is to rest confidently in God's plan for your life and also submit totally to His Will. Anxiety will not just disappear when you commit to trusting God, you must know His Word and apply His Word in your life. To be anxious for nothing means, we must see God’s goodness, present our cares before the throne of grace and leave them in God’s Hands. Paul is pleading with us not to be worried about the basic needs and provisions required for life. He is also telling us not to let the events of life get to us and throw us into a state of anxiety or panic. 

If you let anxiety and worry start operating in you even for a moment, it will try to become a habitual part of your thought life, turning you into a “worrier” who never knows a moment of peace. Jesus is waiting for you to cast all your cares upon Him, because He really does care for you. 

Further Scripture Study: Matthew 6:24-33; 1 Peter 5:7 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I confess that I am free from worry, fretfulness, and anxiety. These forces have no place in me. I have surrendered every care and concern to you and I'm free of every burden, every weight, and every problem in Jesus name Amen.

STAND FIRM

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Each day holds many elements that can quickly move us into worries, frustrations, hurts, etc. Beloved Brothers and Sisters, "Stand Firm" and let nothing move you". Continue to be settled and firmly situated on all sides and don't waver in your convictions. The devil has no power over you unless you give it to him. He is already defeated if you believe and hold on to God’s word. Whatever the devil is doing right now is all child's play and he knows it too. God has given us the ability to stand firm without being weak. Stand firm in faith, when you do - victory keeps standing at your door step.

To stand firm is to be confident, bold and dependent in the Lord. How are you doing in this area of confidence, boldness & dependency? Do you believe you’re laying up treasures in heaven? Do you have confidence that none of your labors for the Lord are useless or in vain? Or do you sometimes feel discouraged because you don’t see any results? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself in this area of serving with confidence? If low, ask God to help you in this area.

One of the ways to remain firm and confident is in your service to the Lord. Your commitment in the house of the Lord increases you and gives you that ability to do whatever it is you desire. All of our service has world-changing power behind it and it comes with an eternal reward. Standing firm makes you a world-changer.

Further Scripture Study: Galatians 5:1; Philippians 1:22-24 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I will not be moved by the cares of the world. Rather I stand firm in confidence and I let nothing move me in Jesus name Amen.