When we think of fanning the flames it often refers to the intensifying of a situation, whether it yields a good or a bad result.
In actuality, a fire cannot burn unless it has 3 elements, heat, fuel, and oxygen. If any of the 3 are broken the fire will go out. Heat ignites the flame, with that sizzling, crackling, friction and dryness that sets off a spark and needs to be fed. Oxygen allows the flame that was sparked by the heat to combust and burn freely uncovered and unhindered. Fuel works on a condition where more means more and less means less. Fuel can be any material that has the ability to burn. More fuel means more intense heat allowing the flames to rage, draining the air of oxygen, distributing more and more fumes and smoke filled with carbon dioxide. Less fuel uses less oxygen, minimal flame, less heat and less smoke.
But here comes the wind that causes the fire to shift and spread. A rapid move that fans away moisture, creating the perfect environment and motivation for the fire to ramp up and press on. It drives the elements to set ablaze all that is in its path, while on a mission to keep the fire burning and the 3 components unbroken.
“Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty. You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind. The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants.” Psalm 104:1-4 NLT
Fan the flames all you messengers and bearers of the good news of the Gospel of Christ. You are the wind that causes the word of God to spread to the ends of the earth. Believers and doers (faith-workers) of the will of God, stand firm in your faith and do not let your flames of fire go out. Keep watch, and be prepared to maintain the three components that keep the fire of your heart toward the Lord burning…
With Heat: (Romans 12:2 NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
With Fuel: (John 6:33-35 ESV [“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”]
And with Oxygen: Isaiah 11:2 ESV “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Acts 1:8 ESV “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Cor. 3:17 ESV
“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49 NKJV
G.M.
G.M. Sunshine 