"Lighting the Fire"
Jotting – Week 1

The first response for Ablaze is listed as “Learn”:

“Learn about what your congregation, district, LCMS World Mission and others are doing in mission at home and around the globe, so you can be better informed on how to pray and support missions, and so you can better direct yourself and others in strategic mission involvement.”

I believe that before we learn what is being done in mission, we need to learn what God’s heart is concerning His love for all people of the world. Consider these Scripture passages (all from NKJV):

“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” Isaiah 40:11

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13

“‘Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,’ says the LORD.” Jeremiah 31:20

[Jesus said,] “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all [people] to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3, 4

Do you see it? Do you hear it? Do you feel the strong beat of God’s heart in love for humankind? God doesn’t want to doom anyone to destruction. It pains His heart when people refuse to listen or turn their backs on Him. And in this vast world of ours, with only 33 percent of the population marking themselves as Christians, how God must mourn over the two thirds who have rejected Him–or very likely, have not even heard of His great love for them.

Do you hear the rejoicing when a sinner repents and comes to the knowledge of the truth? Not only our Father, but the entire company of heaven joins in the celebration.

This week, ponder how God’s heart aches for the lost of the world. Ask Him to give you a heart that also yearns after those who haven’t had the Light of the world shine in their dark corner. Pray the Holy Spirit to give you opportunities–and the eyes to see such, then to fill your mouth with words that will kindle a flame of longing and desire for that Light within the hearts of those who hear.

Wear a heart sticker on your clothing, your arm, put one on a mirror, a door, a briefcase this week, so that when you see it, you are reminded of God’s heart. Take a moment each time to breathe a prayer for someone you know who isn’t in the circle of God’s family and for the opportunity to speak of your Savior, the Savior of world, their Savior.

Pray: O God, Your heart is filled with sorrow over those who do not yet know You as Lord and Savior. Holy Spirit, give me that kind of heart–a heart than yearns for the lost, for those whose darkness seems so complete, so overwhelming, that there seems no way out. Then give me the words to say that I might shine a light in their darkness. Holy Spirit, prepare the hearts of those whose lives You want me to touch. Fill me with Your power, Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.