I remember when I was first born again; I couldn't wait to get to my prayer closet, church services, prayer meetings, worship events, etc. The fire of a brand new believer is flush with excitement over new experiences with God, the fresh feeling of regeneration, the newness of the life of God pouring through our spirits, and the sense of peace and love. As you read this, you may remember the same experience.
Jesus told the church in Ephesus in Revelation chapter 2 that He had something "against them." He said, "you've forgotten your first love." This is probably the most heartbreaking passage in the Bible. It's not a booming sound of judgment, it's a sound of a broken heart.
At some point between the Ephesian church being radically on fire for God and Jesus saying to them, "you've forgotten your first love" something happened. Sitting here, right now, I can't speak to the history of why they lost the fire, but as a pastor, I can speak to why most modern people lose their fire... there are three primary reasons:
1. Disappointment
2. Offense
3. Distraction
Disappointment - Sometimes people lose their fire for God because they don't receive an answer to prayer. Today, we must realize that not every passing dream we have is meant to be prayed for and received. How many people reading this right now can thank God for some unanswered prayers? We must grow spiritually enough that when we don't see the manifestation of things that we have prayed for that we don't allow it to so grip our hearts that we lose passion for God. God is the goal, not our desires. When God and His Will become our desire then everything else begins to easily fall into place (Matthew 6:33).
Offense - Sometimes people lose their fire for God because they become offended with other believers. I've been around long enough to know that for the most part, people are crazy. That isn't meant to be offensive; it's just truth. People let us down. When this happens, we have to press into God, not run away from Him. When we become offended, it's hard to pray because our minds can't stop thinking about what they did to us.
Distraction - Finally, sometimes people lose their fire for God because of distractions. So many things vie for our attention. Don't let what others say or do ever become greater than the attention that is given to God. Entertainment, jobs, relationships, all compete for attention but it's vital for believers to develop the skill of keeping attention set on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
Today, I want to encourage you, don't let your fire go out. Keep praying, keep pressing in, fight for your fire for God.
Prayer: Father, please help me to stay on fire for you. Don't let me grow weary in our relationship. I ask you for a fresh anointing to come on my relationship with you in the Name of Jesus. Amen.