Guide

"He will guide us forever." Psalm 48:14

You don't need to be on safari in Africa to need a guide.

Try going to Middle School. Get married. Launch a new career. Guides are required in virtually every sphere of life.

A guide doesn't just point the way; a guide takes you there. He walks with you and makes sure you arrive safely.

Even King David needed a guide. He faced a lifetime of challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He secured Christ as his Guide. The more perplexing the journey, the closer he walked with the Guide. 

Have you recognized that you need a guide?

Tell Christ you need him. Ask him to be your Guide. He won't just point the way; he'll walk every step of the path with you.

Lord Jesus, I repent of walking my journey alone. I desperately need a guide. Would you be my Guide? Would you be my Guide forever?


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Very Present Help

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

God is your help, but he's more than that. He's your present help. 

But wait. He's even more than that. He's your very present help. 

If God were your help but not present, that wouldn't be much help. He wouldn't do you much good if he wasn't there.

And to emphasize the immediacy of his being present with you, the Psalmist takes it one step further by clarifying that God is a very present help. 

And in case you think for a moment that God is only there to help you when things are going smoothly, he includes a very present help in trouble.

Today God has a gift for you: a fresh revelation of the very present help in trouble.

Lord Jesus, I take you today as my very present help even when I'm in trouble.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Stronghold of My Life

"The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

You may have never thought about it before, but everyone needs a stronghold. You can't survive without a stronghold. We usually call it a safe place.

Your stronghold or safe place is where you are protected. Secure. Fed. Nourished and nurtured. 

There are righteous strongholds and unrighteous strongholds. 

All too often people erect their own security systems or strongholds that are flimsy and unreliable, and at times even destructive. These are the unrighteous strongholds. They are undependable and they will leave you full of anxiety.

David found his righteous stronghold in Christ. And his stronghold was life-giving and kept him secure.

Today, choose Christ as the righteous Stronghold of your life. He will protect you and deliver you from all your fears.

Lord Jesus, you are my stronghold, the stronghold of my life. You have freed me from all my fears.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

More King of Glory

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!" Psalm 24:10

If you're a healthy Christian, you can't get enough of the King of glory.

In four short verses, Psalm 24 repeats the name King of glory five times. In fact, twice the clarifying question is asked, Who is the King of glory? Obviously no one forgot who he is, but the question is raised repeatedly for emphasis. 

The name Lord or Lord of hosts is used in these same verses an additional three times. Again for the sake of emphasis.

Like a battering ram that repetitively pounds the gates until they are completely removed, you have the nobility of declaring to the gates that hinder the advancement of Christ's kingdom, the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

Lord Jesus, Lord of hosts, King of glory come into the gates of government, the gates of finance, education, family, religion, and establish your kingdom.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Welcome and Rewelcome the King

"Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in." Psalm 24:9

When you stand in the gates on behalf of the King of glory, and battle for the advancement of Christ's kingdom, don't think it will be easy. You need to be prepared for an extended prayer time.

The repeated declaration for the removal of the gates in anticipation of the arrival of the King of glory is not mere redundancy. It is more than poetic repetition. The Psalmist knew by experience that prophetic intercession is a war. It's a battle of the highest degree, and it requires persistence and resolve.

As you stand in your gateways today and prophesy the imminent coming of the King of glory and the rapid advancement of his kingdom, keep your eye on the prize. There is nothing more splendid than the majestic arrival of the King of glory.

O King of glory, come. Come now. Take your rightful place. Be enthroned in your castle. And every gate, I summon you now to be completely lifted up and utterly removed that the King of glory may once and for all come in.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Mighty In Battle

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!" Psalm 24:8

Your God is a Warrior. He is mighty in battle.

You are familiar with the Good Shepherd who comforts and cares for you. You know the God of Fortress who protects you. But you may be less familiar with King of glory, the Warrior who is mighty in battle.

Remember, King of glory is an apostolic facet of God's name, and apostles contend in the gates for authority and influence. They contend for dominion. 

Because the kingdom of the King of glory is an ever expanding kingdom, he is continuously battling the resistance forces.

It is your nobility to stand with the King of glory in the gates of society and prophetically declare with the Psalmist, Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!

Lord Jesus, King of glory, show yourself strong and mighty, mighty in battle. I stand with you today in the gates, and I declare your victory.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

King Of Glory

"Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in." Psalm 24:7

King of Glory is a gateway, apostolic, pioneering name of God. It indicates the ever-advancing nature of Jesus' kingdom reign.

We normally don't think of gates having heads. In a castle, however, the gate does not swing sideways on a hinge; it is raised vertically in what is known as a portcullis. When soldiers enter, the gate is pulled up only halfway. When the cavalry enters, it is pulled up two-thirds of the way. When the king enters the castle, however, it is lifted up completely out of honor and respect.

The call of Psalm 24 is a prophetic declaration calling for the removal, the complete removal of anything that would hinder the King from rightfully entering his castle. Since Psalm 24 begins by declaring that, "the earth is the Lord's and everything in it", this Psalm calls for the advancing of Christ's kingdom into every segment of society, and for the removal of every hindrance.

It is your nobility in prayer to declare the removal of every hindrance to the advancement of Christ's kingdom today.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of Glory, I welcome you into the kingdom of my life and family. And I declare to every gate and hindrance, be lifted up that the King of glory may come in.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

My Portion and My Cup

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot." Psalm 16:5

When you feel cheated, unlucky, thinking that others get the promotion, the deals, the blessings, while you get all the disappointments, heartbreak, and trauma, there is a facet of God's name that is just for you.

Portion and cup represent the size of your daily serving. To call the Lord your Portion and Cup indicates the he determines the size and amount of your daily serving. More than that, the Lord IS your Portion and Cup.

Don't waste energy comparing yourself to how much others have. Stop complaining about the amount of your portion and the size of your cup. Christ is your Portion and Cup. 

Jesus loves you and you can trust him to provide. He will always give you the appropriate amount to your portions and the size of your cup.

Lord Jesus, I repent of grumbling and complaining. Forgive me for my unfair comparisons. Today I gratefully choose you as my Portion and my Cup. From this day forward I will be grateful for the amount of my portion and the size of my cup.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Enthroned

"The LORD sits enthroned forever. Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!" Psalm 9:7, 11

If you feel down, depressed, in the dumps, or even worse, in the gutter, you are invited today to shift your focus on the Lord who sits enthroned. Not only is he enthroned, but you are seated with him. Yes, you are in reality seated right there next to Christ.

The Bible guarantees you, that in Christ you are "seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6.)

Take time now to worship the Lord, the One enthroned. Declare his name. Exalt him to his rightful place of supremacy. 

Now remember that you are seated with him.

Lord Jesus, you are exalted to the highest place. You sit enthroned forever. I now accept your invitation to join you in your place of dignity and honor.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Lifter Of My Head

"You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." Psalm 3:3

Bowing your head may not be the most appropriate posture in prayer.

While a bowed head is certainly a gesture of humility, honor, and respect, it's also a gesture of worthlessness, defeat, hopelessness, and groveling.

When you come daily to worship Christ, I guarantee you that he doesn't want you to grovel. Christ wants you to know that he is your glory and the lifter of your head. 

To a generation that is all too often downcast, defeated, and battling depression, God wants you to experience him as your glory and the lifter of your head. 

Today, take time to encounter your glory and the lifter of your head. 

Then take time to declare his name--Glory and Head Lifter--over someone else.

Jesus, you and you alone are my Glory and the Lifter of my head. I have experienced your glory and your lifting presence. Now I declare you over _______. You are their glory and the lifter of their head.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Kiss The Son

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way." Psalm 2:12

A kiss is an expression of affection, honor, and intimacy. 

While a kiss may not characterize your daily worship, if you genuinely love Jesus it may actually be an appropriate word picture.

Psalm 2 describes the full gamut of potential postures toward God. The Psalm starts with blatant rebellion and anarchy against Christ, but it ends with a call to hardened sinners to actually kiss him--to come into a deep, love relationship with him. Remarkable.

Psalm 2 issues a unique call to affectionate worship, to authentic love and devotion.  It chooses an entirely non-religious word found nowhere else in the Bible--to KISS the Son. 

The call to kiss only makes sense when paired with the name Son. It's the Son who became human and took a physical body. Without a body, there would be no blood. And without blood, there would be no sacrifice. And without sacrifice, there would be no forgiveness. And without forgiveness, there would be no possibility of kissing the Son of God.

You kiss someone you love and trust. When you genuinely receive the love of God in Christ, you will respond to God with love and trust.

It's the Son who makes sense of the kiss.

Jesus, Son of God, I love you. With all my heart's affection I love you. I will always love you. Your love for me has utterly captivated my heart's loyalty and devotion.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

You Are My Son

"The LORD said to me, 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you.'" Psalm 2:7

Jesus may have been born on Christmas, but he has been begotten a gazillion years earlier.

Psalm 2 contains an extraordinary conversation between Father God and Son God. In verse 7, Jesus is reflecting on the words his Dad had told him countless times long before the creation of the world--You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

Jesus didn't become Son in Bethlehem. He received a physical body in Bethlehem, but he had been Son from before there was time. And he had been begotten from before there was time. Begotten means to come forth from, and Jesus has been coming forth from the Father from eternity. There has never been a day that the Son has not heard the Father say, Today I have begotten you, because there has never been a day when the Son has not come forth from the Father.

As you worship Christ today, stand in awe of the Son and marvel at the genius of God.

Father God, I stand in wide-eyed wonder at the brilliance of Christ your Son. Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

My King On My Hill

“As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” Psalm 2:6

Kings of the earth may rail in rebellion against God. Influencers may mock morality and decency. The world system may be racing toward insanity, but have no fear--God has set King Jesus on his throne and he has ultimate authority.

Every other hill of influence may be slandering the righteous, but it is only God's holy hill that matters.

The ungodly scoffers may invest billions in electing their kings, but only God's King has lasting authority.

Take time now to declare the glory of Christ the King. 

Cast your vote for Jesus, the one who sits on the throne of Heaven, God's holy hill.

Lord Jesus, I love your throne, your kingdom, your authority. I gladly come under your rule and reign in my life. You are my King. I set you over my hill.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Not A Popularity Contest

"The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed." Psalm 2:2

Our God is not running a popularity contest. Jesus is not campaigning to be the next Messiah.

The anti-Christ will be a winsome, charming leader who will deceive the nations and win the popularity contest. He will even be momentarily crowned messiah. Disgusting. 

Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah of God, on the other hand, is the stone that makes the nations stumble. Because of arrogant rebellion, masses of humanity and their kings will set themselves against the authentic Christ.

If you are aligned with Christ, do yourself a favor and don't try to win any popularity contests. If you follow Christ, you will win in the end, but you will likely face ridicule in the meantime. No big deal. It's an honor to suffer for Christ.

While others rail against Christ, the Anointed, it is your privilege to exalt Christ. To honor his name. While others set themselves against Christ, set yourself in alignment with Christ.

Jesus, you are the Christ, the Anointed of God. I align myself to you, spirit, soul, and body. I choose to love and obey you and you alone.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

My Redeemer Lives

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth." Job 19:25

Redeem: To clear a debt, to regain possession, to rescue from imminent danger.

When Job declared the name Redeemer, he was in a dark place. He faced enormous loss, unspeakable sorrow, and impending doom. Yet against all odds, Job knew he had one thing in his favor--the name. He had the name of God.

Of all the facets of God's name Job could have locked on to, he grabbed the name Redeemer. And he held on for dear life.

He had lost his children, his estate, his friendships, his health, and he even lost his wife's respect. But he still had the name. He had Redeemer.

He claimed the name.

He didn't know if he himself would be left standing, but he knew Redeemer would be standing.

Take the name Redeemer today. He will clear your debt, regain your possessions, and even rescue you from imminent danger.

When the name is all you have, you realize the name is all you need.

Jesus. Redeemer. I know my Redeemer lives. And I know that in the end you will stand victorious on the earth. You will cancel debts, recover lost property, and rescue from all danger.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Delight To Fear His Name

"O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name." Nehemiah 1:11

It's one thing to fear God's name. But it's something categorically different to delight to fear his name. 

Many who fear God live in dread of him. They're afraid of being caught. Of coming up short. They distance themselves. Run away and hide. This is the unhealthy fear of God. 

The healthy fear of God, on the other hand, is not a dread but a delight. Notice, it's specifically a delight in his name. 

The unhealthy fear of God always lacks a proper view of the name. The healthy fear of God comes from an accurate understanding of God's name. 

When you have an accurate appreciation for his name, God is attentive to your prayers. 

When you delight in God's name, you delight in God's presence, his manifest presence. And when you delight in God's presence, God delights in your prayers.

Loving Father, I delight in your name and in your presence--to love, esteem, and fear your name. Now Lord, be attentive to my prayers in Jesus' name.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Where His Name Dwells

"I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there." Nehemiah 1:9

The highest honor of any gathering--your family, home group, or local church--is to be the place God has chosen to make his name dwell.

To make my name dwell there is more than simply hanging a plaque in the front with God's name on it. It means where you gather, he literally dwells. His manifest presence is in the house.

Just think of it, there are literally millions of groups that gather daily in the name, and each group is chosen by God as the dwelling place of his name. 

When you gather, he gathers, when you gather in his name.

Wow! Just let that sink in.

Jesus said virtually the same about gathering in his name. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20

When you gather, be sure to gather in his name.

Lord Jesus, come. Come to the place where your name dwells. Come as I gather with believers. Come and manifest your presence.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Your Name In This House

"Your name is in this house." 2 Chronicles 20:9

It's only appropriate to put your name on your house, or at least on your mailbox. 

When King Jehoshaphat was surrounded by enemy armies marching against him on every side, however, he knew that his own name would do him no good. He did, however, know a name, and only one name that would protect him. 

On that decisive day, he took firm hold of that name, the only name, that could possibly save him from utter annihilation. And he declared in prayer, Your name is in this house. That day, God gave Jehoshaphat an extraordinary victory.

You may not be king, but you have dominion over your life and over your household. God wants to give you extraordinary victories. Would you declare over your home today, Your name is in this house. 

Father God, I declare the name of Jesus over my house and my household. I want my life and family to carry the blessing and reputation of your name.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Called By The Name

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

There is no higher privilege, no greater honor, no bigger distinction, than to be called by the name of God.

When God puts his name on you, he is claiming you as his own. You're now his child. A member of his royal family. Everything that God has is now yours. You are his inheritance, and he is your inheritance.

Along with the unparalleled privileges, comes equally weighty responsibilities. To be called by God's name means that you carry God's character and you're expected to live up to his name. God's reputation is at stake.

This is why, in light of your association with God's name, he calls you to humble yourself, and pray and seek his face and turn from your wicked ways, so that he will hear from heaven and will forgive your sin and heal your land.

It's all because you bear his name.

This promise, like all Bible promises, is yours for one reason--because of the name.

Father God, as one who carries your name, I humble myself and pray, and seek your face and turn from my wicked ways. Now Lord, hear my prayer, forgive my sin, and heal my land in Jesus' name.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The Name Established Forever

"Your name will be established and magnified forever." 1 Chronicles 17:24

Popularity is fleeting. Fame and fortune come and go. But God's name is established and magnified forever.

There is nothing more durable, more permanent, and more tenacious than the name of the Lord. 

Whatever you're facing today, regardless of your challenging circumstances, take hold of the name. Build your dreams on the name. Establish your life on the name. Forge your future on the name. Pioneer your legacy in the name.

The name of the Lord will be established and magnified forever. Bless his name forever.

Father God, I take your name as my foundation. From this day forward I set my heart to establish my life on your name and for the glory of your name forever.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The Splendor Of His Holy Name

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name... worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." 1 Chronicles 16:29

God's name is radiant--it shines in the splendor of his holiness. 

Holiness is the sum total of God's divine attributes. God's name is the sum total of his divine nature. 

It only makes sense that when you accurately ascribe the glory that is due to his name, you will worship at an entirely different level--you'll encounter the splendor of his holiness.

Don't settle for ordinary worship of your extraordinary God. When you worship, give God's name the glory it deserves, and you will breakthrough into the absolute splendor of his holiness.

Holy, holy, holy. Today, O Lord, I ascribe to you the complete glory that is due your name. I worship you in the splendor of the holiness of your name.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence

Glory Where Glory Is Due

"Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name." 1 Chronicles 16:28-29

You have no higher calling than ministering to the name of God. 

Everyday when you get out of bed, regardless of what other assignments you have, or what duties are on your to-do list, you have no more important task, no higher calling than to minister to the name of the Lord. To ascribe to the Lord the glory that is due his name. 

King David had a long list of responsibilities as he ruled over Israel, but he knew that nothing was of higher priority than ministering to the name, particularly ministering to the manifest presence of God. 

When he summoned the people to worship, he directed them to focus on the single target of true worship--to focus on the name.

Regardless of what other tasks and priorities you have today, choose your highest calling. Give priority to the name, to ministering to the name.

Father God, I choose your name as my highest calling--to minister to your name and to your manifesting presence. I ascribe to you the glory that is due your name.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

A Winning Combination

"Give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name." 1 Chronicles 16:8

Give thanks to the name and call on the name--it's a winning combination. When you give thanks, you're giving. When you call, you're receiving. 

The name of the Lord appropriately sits over every blessing, and the name of the Lord sits under every request you make to God.

The name of the Lord is the source of every good and perfect gift, so it is only appropriate to use his name when you petition, as well as when you praise.
Take time to now give your praise to his name, and then make your petitions and receive in his name.

Father God, your name is great and greatly to be praised. I declare your name over each of my blessings, and I now call on your great name.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The God Who Answers By Fire

"You call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” 1 Kings 18:24

Not backfire, misfire, or no fire. When you call on the name of the God who answers by fire, you receive the fire of his manifest presence.

When Elijah challenged the false prophets of Baal to a showdown, he knew that the fire of God's manifest presence was the line of demarcation. Any god would receive prayer, but the one and only true God would send his manifest presence in response to prayer.

Idols always multiply in popularity in the absence of God's manifest presence, in the absence of fire. They fill the void when there's an absence of the presence. When God's people forfeit the name, they reach for idols, and demons behind the idols. Pitiful.

When you pray today, narrow your focus. Dial in your prayer to the God who answers by fire. You don't want to settle for less than the fire of God's manifest presence.

Loving Father, God who answers by fire, I hold out my hands to you today. Send the fire. I now receive the fire of your manifest presence in Jesus' name.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Your Name and Your Arm

"They shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm." 1 Kings 8:42

God's mighty hand and outstretched arm draw a crowd, but keep in mind that God's name always precedes his hand and his arm. Always.

When you pray you want to see God's hand providing for you and his strong arm at work. But don't forget that his name goes first.

If you want God's hand and arm without giving priority to God's name, you are in trouble at the heart of your prayer life. And it's time to repent.

Wanting to see God's mighty hand and his outstretched arm is a righteous desire. Just don't desire his power without his presence. God's great name brings God's great presence, and when his presence comes, his hand and arm are near.

Loving Father, I love your great name, and I come to declare your great name. Manifest your presence today, and show your mighty hand and your outstretched arm in Jesus' name.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.