If you are to live the abundant life that God has called you to, it will require spiritual fervor. Just coming to church is not the pinnacle of fervor.  Once you meet Jesus Christ, you come alive inside!  You are radically changed in the image of God.

This passion of Walking with Jesus is not a phase that will fade over time.  There is a cataclysmic shift in your life when you get saved…but the enemy will try to drag you into the old life that you were stuck in. He will try to deceive you and pull you away from the things that cause you to be radical for the Lord.

There is a culture that’s trying to seep into the church causing it to be lukewarm and complacent, if we let it.  We have to keep our spiritual fervor over the long haul.

In Romans 12, Paul reminds us how we should be living and serving in our everyday life to keep our spiritual fervor burning hot:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
[Romans 12:9-14]

There are keys to staying on fire when serving the Lord, even in the midst of a lukewarm church.

But first, here are a few spiritual pitfalls that you must avoid at all costs if you want to keep your fervor…

Signs That You Are Losing Your Spiritual Fervor:

1. Not That Into Worship
2. Drifting Away from Relationships Within the Church
3. Making Easy Excuses for Missing Church
4. Easily Offended
5. Cease Giving
6. Losing the Joy of Serving

Keep your spiritual fervor when serving the Lord, by serving the Lord!  Here are 5 ways serving impacts your spiritual life…

5 Ways Serving Benefits Your Spiritual Life:

1. You are built to serve

Not just your body—but your whole makeup is built to serve.  We find our greatest fulfillment in the act of serving God and others.  It is a God-inspired quality and instinct.

2. You align with God

As you serve you get greater clarity of God’s will and purpose for your life.  Jesus did what He saw the Father doing and He modeled this principle for us to follow. It is the highest form of living.

3. Grace is Released to the Servant (For the Work)

As you align with God’s plan, He always gives you the Grace and Strength to accomplish the work He has for you.  Come under God’s will and get invigorated for the work ahead. 

4. Serving is Worship

There is a spirit to Spirit connection between you and God during genuine worship…and it’s not just with music and singing, it includes genuine serving. Serving is your spiritual act of worship.

Rom. 12:1 “… offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

5. Serving Elevates Your Spirit Above Your Flesh

Who rules in your life? The flesh or Jesus Christ?

Serving is much more than just exercising your gift… sometimes, it is laying down your gift to do something that really takes you out of your comfort zone. This is your sweet spot where God will stretch, grow and strengthen you.   

When your spiritual life rules, all of your life flourishes. When there is a righteous king, the whole nation flourishes.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.
[Mark 10:29-30]

The Poem “Hast Thou No Scar” by Amy Carmichael is a reminder to us of the mindset that we should cultivate for the desire to serve in a way that honors and glorifies God.

Are we ready to stand next to some of the great people of faith who kept the fire burning and who have scars to bear?