Stir the Coals

By: Bill Johnson

As we consider the condition of our world in 2022, how can we miss the reality that the world is more embattled than  ever before?  I don’t say this to frighten anyone or to set myself as some kind of “fruitcake.” Most of you reading this would recognize and readily agree with me that our entire globe is reachable by missiles, targeted bio-warfare weapons,  even by rogue nations launching electronic magnetic attacks (EMP).

But God!   One of the highest joys of being in Christ is being in Christ and knowing that with each passing year that He LIVES and that He loves to hear our prayers and to answer them.

The happenings we see and hear about are so discouraging and troubling.  China taking more and more control of the oceans and of advancing their plans to dominate space and space warfare.  Russian with his hypersonic missile system. The Kinzhal is an air-launched ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers. Currently launched from a MiG-31 fighter, the missile accelerates to speeds between Mach 4 and Mach 10 while performing evasive maneuvers to circumvent air and missile defenses. These capabilities enable engagement of heavily defended targets, such as aircraft carriers.

Founding Father Samuel Ward wrote:  Make use of your faith.  This is the chief mystery of our spiritual life. Stir up your soul  to talk with Christ. Consider the promises and privileges you enjoy. Think of them, roll them under your tongue, chew on them until you feel their sweetness in your soul. Consider how wonderful that your debts are canceled, and how wonderful that God’s wrath is satisfied. Unstirred coals do not glow or give heat. The beauty of faith is its use. Don’t just have muscles, use them. Let a man diligently and thoroughly  improve his faith and the joy it will bring to him will be great.
[Taken from Samuel Ward, Sermons pg 23-25, 1760s]

One “muscle” that often is not utilized is making use of our faith through PRAYER. I recently had the privilege of discussing this with a faith leader from Traverse City, Michigan – Pastor Dan Gilmore, District Superintendent of the Northern Michigan Church of the Nazarene.

Dan has much to say about our need not only for prayer but for fervent prayer. We invite you to listen in on our conversation at https://rumble.com/vum6nh-interview-with-dan-gilmore.html. In our troubling times, I’m sure you will find it to be an encouragement.

“Unstirred coals do not glow or give heat.” We hope that you can use Dan’s and my chat to “stir the coals.”

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