“The Burning Campfire” Posted May 26th, 2008, 09:56 by Adventures In Faith on Prophetic
“The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his divine greatness—the greatness that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)
The Light of the Campfire
Just about everyone has experienced sitting near a campfire. Whether camping in the outdoors or perhaps at a church camp. You have a campfire burning in a pit. You and others are sitting in the darkness of night, while the fire burns. Staring into the fire while singing songs or just enjoying the peace and tranquility of looking at the campfire.
The Bible (Word) is like a campfire. The first thing you notice about a campfire at night is that it produces light. You can look around and see the other people’s faces lit up! It produces illumination that allows you to see in the darkness. The more you move away from the campfire, the dimmer the light around you becomes. Eventually, you are not receiving any light but you can still see the campfire in the distance. As you move further away from the campfire, it eventually becomes lost to the sight also. So is our perception and reception of the Lord through the Word (Bible).
The Christian walks by the light and does not stumble in the darkness
“For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn’t destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don’t know where you’re going” (John 12:35).
The light from the campfire also draws and invites the lost who are in darkness, and gives them illumination
If you are alone and walking out in the darkness, a campfire is a welcome sight. You just need a place to sit down and rest. You know the campfire is putting out heat which will warm you from the cold night air. Perhaps the people will share their food and you can have some companionship and talk!
“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16).
Some people do not want to know Jesus or even care that He is calling them to His light
“They are judged by this fact: The light has come into the world. But they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. Everyone who does evil hates the light. They will not come to the light, because the light will show all the bad things they have done. But anyone who follows the true way comes to the light. Then the light will show that whatever they have done was done through God” (John 3:19-21).
“But whoever walks at night will stumble because there is no light” (John 11:10).
“The Good News that we tell people may be hidden, but it is hidden only to those who are lost. The ruler of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News—the message about the divine greatness of Christ. Christ is the one who is exactly like God” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
As we walk toward and press closer to the campfire, the light and illumination of the Word (Bible) becomes brighter and easy to understand
“If then your entire body is illuminated, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright [with light], as when a lamp with its bright rays gives you light” (Luke 11:36).
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
The Heat of the Campfire
When we are standing or sitting in this bright illumination of the campfire (Bible), we begin to notice something else, the heat of the campfire. It is warming and comforting. It feels warm and fuzzy all over! This is the LOVE of God emulating and coming out from the fire.
“But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared:” (Titus 3:4).
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).
This heat from the campfire makes us different. We begin to love people. We have an unsearchable love and hunger for God
“A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
“And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him” (1 John 4:16).
The Essence of the Campfire
As we gaze into the campfire, we see the fire of God. This is the very essence and the very being of God. God is a burning fire that desires to love people. He created us so that he could share that LOVE and passion. God wants to have a big, big family!
But thanks be to God that through the appearance of Jesus on the earth we can see and comprehend the fire of God. We can have a new heavenly Father and a very big new family!
“The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
We can live forever in the Light of the Campfire
As we sit or stand in the light of the campfire, we are able to meditate peacefully on our heavenly Father. We can know that all the troubles that we have here on the earth and in this world will not last forever. We know this because He has given us His Word (Bible) to read and meditate on its beautiful promises.
“Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the LORD’S teachings and think about them day and night” (Psalms 1:1-2).
“But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7-9).
The open campfire is a remarkable representative of the Word of God (Bible). The essence of the fire is the Lord Himself. The light from the campfire is the TRUTH. The heat of the campfire is the LOVE we feel from God.
“The man answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ Also, ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself. Jesus said, “Your answer is right. Do this and you will have eternal life” (Luke 10:27-28).
As we stand or sit in the light and warmth of the campfire, we are at peace. We can stare into the campfire, and feel secure knowing God loves us
“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand. My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand” (John 10:27-29). “So don’t always think about what you will eat or what you will drink. Don’t worry about it. That’s what all those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. But your Father knows that you need these things. What you should be thinking about is God’s kingdom. Then he will give you all these other things you need. “Don’t fear, little flock. Your Father wants to share his kingdom with you” (Luke 12:29-32).
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