God's fire cannot be controlled, tamed, or extinguished. He is "the God Who answers with fire" (1 Kgs 18:24). Despite total opposition, despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered (see 1 Kgs 18:19), despite the world throwing cold water on all our efforts to spread the Word of God, the fire of the Holy Spirit cannot be controlled, tamed, or extinguished.
"Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29). Out of His sheer mercy, God turns down the heat of His fire so we can bear life on this earth. Nonetheless, God answers by fire. He came with "tongues as of fire" on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3). Jesus said: "I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!" (Lk 12:49) Moses was attracted to the presence of God in the bush which burned with fire, but was not consumed (Ex 3:2ff). Jesus has revealed Himself to us in the vision of His Sacred Heart, burning with fire.
Our eternal destiny is to be consumed by fire. Which fire will you choose: the flames of hell (Lk 16:24) or the consuming fire of the eternal, purifying love of God in heaven (Heb 12:29)? "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of Your love."
| PRAYER: | "Set a fire down in my soul, that I can't contain, that I can't control. I want more of You, God." |
| PROMISE: | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. I have come, not to abolish them, but to fulfill them." –Mt 5:17 |
| PRAISE: | Regina agreed to teach religious education out of a desire for her children to grow up in the sacramental life of the Church, but she didn't know the Lord herself. She applied herself to learn her faith and soon came to a personal knowledge of Jesus. She now receives Jesus daily in the Eucharist and is passing on a rich faith in Jesus to her children. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College