Coals & Embers

Originally posted 9-10-07

Ember - a small live piece or coal, wood, etc., as in a dying fire (American Heritage Dictionary).

I opened the service tonight with an analogy in regards to what’s left after a fire. Just coming back from MO Men's conference, the men in attendance are sure to be "on fire!" Since the first night on Thursday, God kept putting this vision before me of what’s left afterwards. When we come home from such events as men's or ladies' conferences, youth congresses, general conferences, or even a good Sunday night service, we are most definitely pumped up in our spirits. But in most cases, when we get back, we want to bask in what we experienced and not carry forward what has been raised with in us. We start to enjoy hovering around the coals and embers. We might even say, "That sure was a great conference, I can't wait till next year" or "What a great service, next week could be even greater." Coals and embers are just evidence of where the fire has been. I want to make sure the fire burns continuously.

We can honor the past experiences with gratitude and thanksgiving, but let's not forget to rake the coals, stoke the embers and put another log on it. Let’s start with a spark of praise in every service. Let’s spark our dedication to our family's worship and devotion. Let lead our youth into a roaring blaze of honoring the name of Jesus. Let’s turn our Wed. night services into a communion with God and His Word. Let’s not sit back and warm our hands when God wants to heat our entire church body in our services each and every time the doors are open. Just as the coals and embers are destined to die out eventually, if we just sit back and admire the glow, so shall the light of our experiences in Christ die out if we do not continue to put more fuel to the spiritual fire