Friday daily devotional by Pastor David Okoye (Ambassadors Word Diet, 15th SEPT, 2017) - Keep the fire alive

Don't put out the Spirit's fire 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (GW)

The Spirit of God is likened to a fire. The actions and decisions we take every day do one of two things to the Holy Spirit; He may either burn more intensely or be gradually extinguished.

The same way fire can be extinguished, the Holy Spirit can also be quenched.

Fire will go out by neglecting it (that is, its supply of fuel), casting water upon it or by covering it with any incombustible substance.

We are not to extinguish the influences of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Though the Holy Spirit is almighty, he may be resisted. His influences may be quenched and as such making their efficacy counteracted.

The Spirit of God in man is of the nature of fire, as fire, it enlightens, enlivens, warms, consumes, purifies and refines. If you must keep the fire alive, you have to nourish it with proper care and attention.

You have got to nourish the Spirit of God by the daily hearing of the Word of God and by giving attendance to Him. The Holy Spirit never leaves, but you have got to ensure He is always ablaze in your life.

You keep a fire alive and ablaze in 3 ways:

By fanning it, by keeping it nourished (adding more source of fuel), by giving attention to it.

2 Timothy 1:6 says,

That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the (gracious) gift of God, (the inner fire) that is in you by means of the laying on my hands (with those of the elders at your ordination). 

The process of fanning is you speaking in tongues.

As you pray in the Holy Ghost, you keep the Spirit of God in you alive and ablaze. You also keep the fire nourished by feeding on the Word of God.

Lastly, you keep the fire of the Spirit alive by submitting to the Lordship of God's Spirit. Romans 8:14 says,

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

The Spirit of God is gradually subdued in your life when you refuse to give attendance to Him. Keep the Spirit of God in you burning, alive and active.

DECLARATION:
I rekindle, fan into flames, and keep the Spirit of God in me ablaze. I give attendance to God's Spirit, even as I submit to His Lordship.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE 
1 Timothy 4:14, Ephesians 4:30