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Message summary:  Given the temptation of spiritual boredom we all need to regularly heed Paul's words to Timothy "to fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6).

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"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). "Fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6).

Since 2002 we have lived in a neighborhood where the neighbors closest in vicinity have been older than us, so we had no young children playing, apart from occasional visits by grandchildren.

The last four years we've have two new families move in with young children which sure adds life to the neighborhood. These children play outside a lot just like we did in the 60's and it brings joy to see them exploring their world such as riding their bikes, playing ball, and collecting cicada shells. They also love taking our dogs for walks in their yard which is a good thing for them (our dogs). These kids just don't seem to be bored!

We who are redeemed are living spiritually in our Father's kingdom. But can boredom set in and deter our zeal and enthusiasm? Of course it can! Jesus addresses this in Revelation in His letter to the Ephesians, "you have left your first love" and to the church at Laodicea, "you are lukewarm".

"Being on fire for God" is an expression used to describe a sold out, uncompromised, committed follower of Christ. The daily Scripture text teaches us to, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). We both memorized this verse as young Christians and recite it regularly.

John Wesley has a famous description concerning his conversion, "I felt my heart strangely warmed". The challenge is keeping that warm heart through life as we invariably encounter circumstances that seek to make our hearts cold! Boredom is one of them and a strategy of Satan.

Each of the three phrases in this verse is rich in meaning but today let us consider just the second phrase, "but keep your spiritual fervor". The underlying Greek word for "fervor" is "zeo", which means, "to be hot". The English word "zeal" is derived from this word.

This word "zeo" is used to describe the preaching of Apollos in Acts 18:25 who "spoke with great fervor". This word suggests having plenty of heat to produce adequate, productive energy, but not so much heat that one goes out of control. The idea is not of being overheated to the point of boiling over and out of control but, like a steam engine, of having sufficient heat to produce the energy necessary to get the work done.

The challenge in the spiritual life is to maintain this fervency in spirit throughout life. Another version states, "Keep your spiritual fervor". I think all of us have to fight the tendency for our spiritual fervor to wane. The need for maintaining this fervor in our walk with God is of paramount importance. Jesus, in describing the last days stated, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12).

Given the temptation of spiritual boredom we all need to regularly heed Paul's words to Timothy "to fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6). The Greek word translated "fan into flame" signifies the recovering of fire choked with ashes or decaying. It's kind of like stirring up a campfire early in the morning. May God stir up that zeal in each one of us.

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber