A BURNING HEART FOR THE LORD
“And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? “Luke 24:32 (NKJV)
All Glory, all Honor, and Adoration be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for witnessing another new month, the eighth month of the year 2024. The number eight symbolizes new beginnings, and August serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in ushering us into a season of fresh starts and blessings. It is a time to reflect on the abundant grace and mercy bestowed upon us by our Heavenly Father.
Our theme this month is “A burning heart for the Lord.
“And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'” Luke 24:32. This verse captures the profound spiritual experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
These two disciples were disappointed and Confused. They were walking away from Jerusalem, their hopes and dreams shattered by Jesus’ crucifixion. However, unexpectedly they encountered Jesus who had resurrected, and joined them, but they failed to recognize Him. Jesus engaged them in scriptural interpretation. He explained the Old Testament prophecies pointing to Himself as the Messiah.
A burning heart for God is an intentional desire to know, love, and serve God deeply.
Implications for Believers
Desire for God’s Word: The disciples longed to understand the Scriptures, a desire that should resonate with all believers.
Experiencing God’s Presence: The burning heart is a symbol of encountering God’s living and loving presence.
Transformation: A deep encounter with God’s Word can radically change our lives.
The passion and zeal for God’s word made Jeremiah say, “Then his word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I was weary of holding it in, and I could not endure it.”Jeremiah 20:9
Devotion and Love
John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”-This is what we are to do with God’s commandments. When you guard or protect something, it indicates that it is valuable. We are to value God’s commands and consider them precious. We show their value by obeying them. If you want to do greater things than Christ, then obey His commandments. God places a high premium on obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22—And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” We are to present our bodies “once and for all” to the Lord just as a bride and groom are to present themselves once and for all to one another. The word bodies indicate our whole being as well as our physical bodies. Colossians 3:23: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
Fire and Holy Spirit
Acts 2:3: “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed among them, and one sat upon each of them. ”
These believers were “like-minded and unanimous” in their attitudes. Praying together and waiting on God and the promise of the Comforter to come, knitted them together. Prayer will knit together a Christian family and a church family, too. These flaming tongues rested on all the Christians in the room, symbolizing the fact that God’s Spirit abides in all those who have put their faith in Him for salvation. That won’t happen if you are relying on church membership or good works to get you to Heaven. You must have Christ in your heart.
Psalm 42:1-2: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Notice that David does not mention “hunger” but his “thirst” for the Lord. Men can go several weeks without food, but we need water daily. Without water, we will quickly weaken and die. The same truth holds in our relationship with God. We need His fellowship and closeness daily, lest we weaken and fall apart spiritually. You cannot live a Christian life without Him. Jesus made this clear. In John 15 the Lord told us, “Without me, you can do nothing.”
Beloved, a passion or thirst for God is the flame that keeps our hearts burning and on fire for Him. A thirst for God keeps us focused on Him for only the Living Water, the Lord Jesus Christ, can satisfy our soul. A thirst for God keeps us dependent upon Him. It’s when we become independent of the Lord that we get into trouble. We think other things can fill and quench the thirst of our lives, only to find out later that we were wrong. A thirst for God keeps us at His nail-scarred feet, pleading for His power to serve, patience to endure, persistence when we fail, purity when we are tempted, and purpose when we are pulled by distractions or discouragement.
A burning heart for God is a truly transformative Christian experience that involves more than just intellectual understanding. It requires a heart that is ignited by the presence and power of God.
The Bible inspires and challenges believers to cultivate a fervent love for God. We are also reminded of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of living a life dedicated to His glory.
Conditions for a Burning Heart for God
1. Humility: A humble heart recognizes its dependence on God and creates space for His Spirit to ignite a fire within. Psalm 138:6 – “Though the Lord is high, He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.”
2. Time in God’s Word: Consistent engagement with Scripture nourishes the soul and kindles a deeper love for God. Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
3. Prayer: Consistent communication with God deepens our relationship and allows for the pouring out of our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
4. Worship: Expressing adoration and praise to God ignites our hearts and fuels our devotion. Psalm 95:1-2 – “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms.”
5. Obedience: Demonstrating our love for God through obedience to His Word strengthens our relationship and allows His fire to burn brightly. John 14:15 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
6. Fellowship: Sharing our faith and experiences with other believers encourages and strengthens our spiritual journey. Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
PRAYERS
1. Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Prayer: Lord, I seek You with all my heart. Ignite in me a love for You that is deeper than the ocean and higher than the mountains. May Your love consume me and overflow into every area of my life.
2. 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Prayer: Lord, I long to be transformed into Your image. Help me to pursue holiness with passion, stripping away anything that hinders my growth. Fill me with Your Spirit to empower me to live a life that glorifies You.
3. Matthew 22:37-39 – “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Prayer: Lord, grant me a heart filled with Your compassion. Help me to see others through Your eyes and to love them as You love them. Give me opportunities to serve and minister to those around me.
4. Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Prayer: Lord, renew my heart and mind. Pour out Your Spirit upon me and ignite a fire of revival in my life. I yearn for a fresh encounter with You.
5. Acts 4:29 – “And now, Lord, look on their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,” Prayer: Lord, grant me boldness to share Your gospel without fear. Fill me with Your courage to stand strong in the face of opposition. Equip me with the words to speak Your truth with clarity and conviction.
Consistent prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit are essential for cultivating a burning heart for God. Remember, Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” May the Lord ignite a burning passion within our hearts for Him in Jesus’ name. Welcome to August 2024, the month of the New beginning and a burning heart for the Lord.
Yours in the Lord,
Pastor Lillian Haastrup.
