[3e3c3e]

The Keeper of the Flame

There is a man,
That roams the ground.
Looking for those,
Who wish to be found.

He spreads the truth,
And the Great Light;
To those who live,
In unholy delight.

Fitted in Armor,
And Sword in hand;
He fights the dark,
Awaiting his Promised Land.

His enemies fight
With lies and shame.
Yet this Warrior remains,
The Keeper of the Flame.

- Mark W Fields

Matthew 5:13 – 16
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.“


How bright is your light to this world? How bright does the Lord Jesus Christ shine through you? How often I ask myself these questions. God has given us a great and awesome responsibly, we are the Keepers of His eternal flame.

We read in Leviticus 24:1-4 the great responsibility the Lord commanded Aaron and his sons. Their job was to keep the lamps in the Tabernacle burning all the time. The Lord commanded that they “burn continually”, and “forever in your generations”. As we look at this in context to what Christ commanded, we see that God has given us two great responsibilities.

First, we are called to let our "Light" (that we have through the shed blood of Jesus Christ) shine to the world. Not just when the time is right, but "continually." This must have been some job for the priest in the Old Testament. Day and night they would have to check that the lamps will still burning, and add oil before they would go out. How committed they must have been to such a tedious and never-ending job. If those lamps went out, what good where they to the service of the Tabernacle. Likewise, Christ says that we are the “salt of the earth” and the "light of the world", what good are we to God’s service when we let our lamps go out, or our salt "loses its flavor." How committed are we then to let the glory of the Lord shine through us? How committed are we to keep out Testimonies shining to the world?

Second, we are called to keep it light "forever in your generations." Wow, what a challenge! God was not just saying; "Aaron, you and your Sons must keep these lamps light at all times." But that the generations to come must also do so! Aaron and his sons had a job ahead of them. Not only was it their jobs to keep the lamps light, but also insure that the next generation knew how to do so. God command the Israelites to teach the next generation in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 when he said:
6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” God has called us to teach the generations to come how to keep their “Lamps” light. Notice the wording the Lord chose; “teach them diligently.” Teach them God’s Word, and the ways of the Lord. Not just on Sundays but all the time, at our tables, in our houses, in our cars. How well to we teach our children to keep their lives on “fire” for God? Do we do it with the same diligence the Aaron and his sons did?

As Children of God, he has made each one of us a “Keeper of the Flame”. I pray that we take this job and responsibility and serious as Aaron and his sons did. God could have chosen just about anyone for this job, but he chose you and me for it. May we keep our lamps light and teach others to also be “Keepers of the Flame”.

[sblbajsm]

Your devotional really spoke to me. I've been thinking on that same border line sort of. We need to let our lights that God gave us shine all the time not just when it is easy or convenient. I worry alot becuase my family isn't saved. I worry that I don't give them the right message.. But I will never give them the right message if it isn't Christ's message. I don't need to say as much to them as I need to just let Jesus shine thru me. He'll do the work. I just need to live for him. Thank you. That message really gave me hope and it showed me where I need to work harder. Just.. a letter to encourage you.
Melissa,
Psalms 73

lol that face makes me laugh sorry.