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"The Word and the Spirit Stoke the Fire!"

Updated: Sep 19



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Grace Meditation # 14

The Word and the Spirit Stoke the Fire!

By Steve Swier – Ruling Elder, NPPC

 

Scripture: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

John 17:17 KJV


“That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”

Ephesians 5:26 KJV


Do you ever feel as if you are spiritually stagnant or flat? When you were a new Christian and born again, the Holy Spirit was strong and working in your soul. You went to church to worship and pray, but over time, the feeling kind of fades and levels out. The fire you had for the Lord went from a roar to just a few hot coals.


I am familiar with this very situation. After I repented and believed and accepted Jesus as my personal savior at 19 years of age, I was certainly renewed in spirit and “born again.”  “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:5 ESV)


I began to pray earnestly and attended church. Eventually I joined New Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. After I was married, our children came in rapid fire time – three children within five years. Going to church became a chore. Navigating three kids so young and getting them fed and ready….this is where I thank my wife who took care of most of their needs. I was working as a police officer and had a shift schedule. Because of this, I frequently missed worship service. I was saved but not growing in my sanctification. The fire was only barely alive and was just smoldering for years. I wasn’t doing anything to feed my soul, and therefore, was not producing any fruits of the spirit.

Eventually, we parted from New Philadelphia Presbyterian Church and attended another nearby church. This church was great for the kids, and for my wife Cindy and I at that time. Attending worship at this church helped me recognize my shortcomings as a proclaiming Christian.



Then I remembered a man named Jim Ed Gilbert, who was an elder at New Philadelphia Presbyterian Church and what he told me once. He encouraged me to read a Daily Bread Bible Devotional every day. I hadn’t realized I wasn’t growing in my spiritual life because I wasn’t consistent in my Bible reading and praying. (“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 ESV)


After a few years, we decided to return home to New Philadelphia Church. My wife and I felt that the church we were currently attending was large and really didn’t necessarily need us. We wanted to help NPPC grow.

I picked up a Daily Devotional written by a famous football coach and during the course of that study, it ignited those smoldering coals. As I read the scripture, the fire was stoked by the Holy Spirit and became bigger. The more I studied the Word, prayed and worshiped, the bigger and hotter the fire became.


The Bible and worship became the very food and fuel for my soul and I couldn’t live without it! I was called to serve the Lord and not just be a consumer. I tried to resume my prior position at New Philadelphia Church as a Deacon but was nominated and humbly became an Elder. WOW! You never know how God may use you for His plan! You see, without the Word, prayer, worship, and the Holy Spirit, I would still be spiritually flat.

If you are flat in your spiritual walk with Jesus, I urge you to get into the Word. Repent, pray, and worship. The devil will give you an excuse not to worship and grow in your sanctification. The devil will distract us with our own selfishness.


God’s love and grace is stronger than the devil!

Re-dedicate yourself to daily study and prayer, weekly worship and see how God feeds the spiritual fire by His Holy Spirit in your life.

 
 
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