"Fellowship of Burning Hearts”

Philippians 3:8

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Revelation 21:5-6

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And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

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And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

Psalm 42:1-4

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As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

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My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

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My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long,

“Where is your God?”

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These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:

how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God

with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.

Psalm 84:2

My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Psalm 63:1-4

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O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

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So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

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Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

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So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

I heard the Lord say, "I see your desperation. I know how deeply your heart longs for me. Press on, deliverance will come."

Friends, in a world consumed with self, it will be those of us who burn with a fiery passion for God alone who He will use to do the greatest exploits.

The great author C.S Lewis once said, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

The Lord is looking for those who are not "pleased" with the status quo. He is looking for those who will not settle for the western form of religion offered to us, which mixes the idol of comfort and affluence with the call to obedience.

The Father has written eternity into our hearts. He has placed you on this earth for a great purpose.

The Lord is saying this to you today, "Everything you will accomplish for my Kingdom must begin with your pure and sincere devotion to me."

We are surrounded by "halfhearted creatures." We too have been one of them. But God has revealed Himself to us in such a way a powerful way, transforming us from these halfhearted creatures into a "fellowship of burning hearts."

A.W Tozer once said, "To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too easily satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart."

Friends, you are part of this company of "burning hearts."

The enemy has been trying to discourage you and steal your fiery devotion. He has used some of the people closest to you to try to temper or even extinguish your flames. Do not let them.

You must expect opposition, for your fiery love for God will be a judgment upon all the halfhearted creatures you encounter. You must let their opposition fan the flames of your devotion and obedience. And pray that they too would catch fire.

Friend, in the days to come your heart will be tested in ways you will be unable to explain with words. At times, it will feel as though your very soul is being placed in a vice.

But do not shrink back in the time of testing. Let your eyes fix themselves on the Founder and Perfector of your faith. Let the beautiful devotion Messiah exemplified through his life, culminating in His cross, be the fuel for your devotion to follow the same path.

The Apostle Paul once said, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Right now, God is using your obedience in the face of your greatest trials to be the fuel to set anothers heart ablaze for God.

Your decision to "count all things as loss" for the surpassing greatness of knowing Messiah is a testimony to His goodness and faithfulness. Your obedience will not be without reward.

If we have Christ, we have everything we need for "life and godliness." Let us close with another precious quote from the Prophetic Pastor and Author A.W Tozer:

"The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight."

Our Prayer

Father, we come to you now tired and weary from the fight. Our tears have truly been our food day and night. The more our hearts blaze for you. The more severe the testings. The more they burn the more those we love seem to separate themselves from us. But you alone are worthy of our praise and adoration. You alone have eternal life. We will stand with you until the end. Even if at times we will stand alone. Help us to fulfill this great calling. We want more of you God. Send your Presence today that our trials may truly feel light and momentary. We are yours Father. Our hearts burn for you more and more each day. Amen.

A Word from Our Father

My child, as it is in the natural so it will be in the Spirit. If people run away from a blazing fire, so too they will run away from you at times. However, others who sense their need. Those who feel the coldness of a life apart from me. They will come and warm themselves by your fire. Do not let the opposition limit your fire. I declare a prophetic outpouring of gasoline to be thrown upon the fires of your heart this day! You are not a half hearted creature. You are mine. You have been bought with a great price. I am raising up a company of Psalmists. Therefore you must experience the cave and the crown. You must know deep sorrows and high ecstasies. Yield to me my son/daughter and I will increase your flames. And in me you will find complete satisfaction. I have spoken.

Devotional Song

Friends, as we worship this morning, may our hearts be set ablaze with love for Yahweh. May we settle for nothing less than a complete and pure devotion to Him. Nothing in this world but Him can truly satisfy!