How to stoke your zeal for God
You may have heard of the 'Great Commission' found in Matthew 28:16-20. This is where Jesus instructs Christians to reach everyone, everwhere in the world with the Word of God and tell of His complete salvation offered to all.
We need to have a zeal for God burning brightly within us if we want the power to carry this calling out.
The word 'zeal' is defined as 'great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause'. Do you have a great energy, a great enthusiasm for the life of Christ being made manifest in others? Or has your zeal been dimmed... by time, or trials, or the busy pace of a full life?
We all experience times of ebb and flow in our lives, and our spiritual lives are no different. But the Bible reveals a God who longs for and deserves our deepest, most ardent desire and faith - and a world desperate to receive that image of God within us. So what should we do to stoke up this fire in our hearts?
I have a few suggestions that I think will really help give shape to a brighter relationship and encounter with our Lord for you:
- Be expectant: Expect God to use you
- Be open: Let God work through you
- Be consistent: Keep God a part of your everyday life
- Be assured: Know your authority in Christ
- Be ardent: Love being In God's presence
- Be filled!: Have a fire in your soul
Expect God to use you
All we have to do is ask for God to fill us with the Holy Spirit, and go where ever He leads us. We don't have to do it in our own power - God will lead us to the person. God will also enable us to share our faith in a way that will draw people to Christ.
Smith Wigglesworth (1859 - 1947) said: 'If you want to increase in the life of God, then you must settle it in your heart that you will not at any time resist the Holy Spirit.'
Let God work through you
No matter how much Biblical knowledge we have, we will fail miserably if we don't trust in the One God who alone can change hearts and minds. If we want to help in His work, we need to rely on God each day. Pray for God to work through you to do more than you could ever hope for or imagine, and expect Him to.
John 14:12-14 - 'Amen, amen I tell you, he who puts his trust in Me, the works that I do he will do; and greater than these he will do, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.'
Keep God a part of your everyday life
Give every part of your life to God and make some Godly daily habits - such as reading the Bible, worshipping and prayer times. Singing songs of worship to God can help to keep your mind on Him during the day.
Galatians 5:25 - 'If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.'
Know your authority in Christ
We need to stay grounded in God, and focused on who He made us to be. If we want to live a life to honour Him, then we need to walk the fine line between resisting pride and refuting lack of self esteem. We are God's ambassadors on the earth, and we were made to serve Him, worship Him, and give the glory to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:20a -'We are therefore ambassadors for Christ...'
Love being in God's presence
Every time you go to a worship service, there is an opportunity to touch the heart of God, and be touched in return. Expect to receive from Him. Seek God's presence through prayer, and worship out of the innermost part of your heart … yearn for His presence in your life. God will be able to reach others through you better if they can see God's love through your eyes, and the transforming action of God's love in your heart. This comes through personal relationship with Him.
Have a fire in your soul
What does having the fire, the zeal of God in your soul look like?
I would say that when your heart has the zeal of God in it... you won't be able to keep quiet about what God is doing in your life! You'll have a supernatural urge to share with the lost, and you'll experience God's power as you go out in faith.
This reminds me of a song...'The zeal of God has consumed me, it burns within my soul. A mighty fortress that cannot be moved, a fire that cannot be quenched. O hallelujah...'
May these points today be great foundations in your life and an encouragement in your journey.
If you ever need prayer or support please contact us at WM (you can write PRIVATE in the subject line if you do not wish to be contacted in return, only prayed for) and know we will pray to our Father in heaven over you.
By Tracy Andrews
WM Author
Tracy is a Salvationist from Taupo Corps. She has a book of poetry called 'Poems From My Journey - From Heartache To Intimacy With God' available for purchase through this Facebook page.