Expansion: From Fire to Influence

A GREAT FEELING flows through you when you are on the winning side.

Abraham understood he was on the winning side when God called him and made him a promise. (Genesis 12)

Caleb knew he was on the winning side when he told Moses that they could go and take the promised land. (Numbers 13:30)

The disciples knew they were on the winning side when Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection, and for forty days, he taught them about the kingdom.

However, before he left, he told them not to leave Jerusalem until they received the Father’s promise. (Acts 1:8)

And when the day arrived, suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting.

There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit].

And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately]. (Acts 2:1-10)

People who heard them speak in their language were amazed, and the disciples became a people of influence.

God put His fire on them to expand them. He added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47)

Refiner's fire

The fire of God makes you know you're not your own. You were purchased at a price, so you glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

So it sets you apart and shows you that the journey isn't about you, but about Him—someone bigger than you.

So when someone gives you the credit, you give God the glory. And when they give you the praise, you deflect it to Him

They tried giving John the Baptist the credit, but he told them he was just the voice. (John 3:28)

He further told them that Jesus must increase, and he must decrease. (John 3:30-35)

John was intentional in his desire to know Jesus and make him known. You must desire to know him, too.

When he was imprisoned, he sent his disciples to confirm that Jesus was the one. (Matthew 11:3)

‘When someone gives you the credit, you give God the glory’

The fire does not make you compete; it makes you submit.

When you understand that your race isn’t with someone else but with you, you run to receive a prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

You do not run without a definite goal; you do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. (1 Corinthians 9:28)

You become intentional in your running.

The fire of God makes you see things from God’s perspective.

Paul could see with the eye of God and said, “I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

“The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The fire of God is like a repository.

When you’re scared, you run to Him, and when you have a fiery excitement for Him, God fuels your fire.

God fueled the apostles' fire when they were threatened, and they prayed for boldness. (Acts 4:24-31)

God strengthened them to do more.

The fire drives you and makes you a servant.

David was serving when they came to call him to come home to meet the prophet. (1 Samuel 16)

David desired God so much that he thirsted after Him, and God called him a man after his heart. (Psalm 42:1 & Acts 13:22)

It drove him to the point where he wanted to build God a house. God was so touched that he decided to build him an everlasting house, a dynasty for him.

If we can love God the way he loves us, our lives will turn a new leaf. Our hopes will be restored, and we will live for Him.

The fire draws people to you.

Men came to David day after day until they became a mighty army like the army of God. (1 Chronicles 12:22)

Final Thought

Get on fire for God, and people will come to see you burn—John Wesley.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, let your fire fall on me. Let it consume the impurities in my life. Help me to be more sensitive to your Spirit. Show me my secret faults that I might change my ways. Let my life give you pleasure.