To conclude this 10-part-series on devotionals, here is a devotional titled “Tongues of Fire” I wrote for the Upper Room Devotional Guide.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages. –Acts 2:3,4 (NIV)
One of my favorite ways to spend an evening is to relax in my recliner by the fireside. I never cease to be amazed at the results when I take a tiny match and touch it to a piece of wadded up paper, placed under kindling and logs. The edges of the paper burn, and soon pieces of dry wood light up with orange-red tongues of fire. The flames spread and the heat builds. The larger logs start to burn. Soon a small spark has become a roaring fire.
Almost 2,000 years ago, God lit a match in Palestine. On the day of Pentecost, only a small number were touched and warmed by the spark of the Good News. Then the flame spread out of Jerusalem and into the Roman Empire. The fire kept growing until today, millions of people around the world know Jesus and worship Him.
Fire symbolizes God’s purifying presence, which burns away all the undesirable elements of our lives. Perhaps that is why a warm fire relaxes my body and calms my spirit.
Yet, fire also represents the Holy Spirit igniting us with courage and wisdom as He did the early Christians on the day of Pentecost. I pray that the Holy Spirit will light a fire in me so I may be a spark to touch and warm a hurting world.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please work through me as your spark to reach out and ignite a fire within others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thought for the Day: A small spark can become a roaring fire.
Prayer Focus: Power of the Holy Spirit