[Unlike the California fires that lick their tongues with devastation in fast and furious ways, the fire of the Holy Spirit spreads life and requires to be known as something other than us. It is powerful and gives everlasting life and never ever destroys.]
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:1-4)
They were all wondering how they would know when the Holy Spirit came. Well, it was pretty easy to tell. If you were on fire — literally — you had the Holy Spirit. Now today, we don’t explode into flames when we receive the Holy Spirit, but God does give us each a special gift, and when we use it, it’s like being on fire. The fire is symbolic of the gift and the energy to use it that comes from the Spirit.
My wife, Marti, has the gift of leadership. When she leads something that is ordained by God, like she’s doing now with this campaign on the Book of Acts, she’s on fire. You can barely touch her. I have the gift of prophecy, and when I stand up to teach or sit down to write about the will and the word of God, I’m on fire. Look out!
You might be on fire when you give mercy to someone; or when you serve someone; or even when you administrate, if that is your spiritual gift. Your spiritual gift ignites God’s power in you and gives you extraordinary ability to help other people. It happens every time. Think about it: What sets you on fire? That’s your spiritual gift, and once you identify it, you’ll be able to use it more often and more wisely and efficiently.
I came home earlier this week to find a man on fire in my kitchen talking to my wife. He came to our house to sell magazines, but Marti found out about his faith and he lit up with his story. After being a Christian for only six months, he has already recorded a song and a video about his conversion experience in which God snatched him from the jaws of suicide. Now he’s selling magazines to support his family, but he’s really on fire to tell his story. His name is Jerald Perkins and you’ll be hearing more about him. We’re going to tell you soon how you can get ahold of his video. You’ll be moved.
You’re on fire to do something in representing God in the world. What is it? Let us know. We’d like to encourage you. And if you don’t know what your gift is yet, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. And ask those who are close to you. They’ll tell you in what way you minister to them.
This is the season for action. This is the Book of Action. The world is waiting.
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