Don't Live off the Smoke.

John Wesley was only five years old when he was literally saved from a burning building. The fire nearly caused Wesley his life, but by God's grace, he was rescued from an upstairs window seconds before the building collapsed. Throughout his life, Wesley often referred to himself as "brand plucked from the fire".

God surely had plans for John Wesley who eventually went into the ministry.  Another kind of “fire” strangely warmed Wesley's heart and consumed his life, sparking the fire of a great spiritual awakening that spread throughout the entire world.  This fire from God could not be quenched and came with a zeal that nothing could contain. He spread the gospel throughout the land just as a wildfire consumes a forest. 

Set ablaze for God, Wesley knew he could not just “live off of the smoke” but needed to keep the fire of holiness burning in his heart. 

John Wesley was a man on a mission from God who had no other desire but to spread scriptural holiness wherever he went. We should also strive to be on fire for God as our founding father Mr. John Wesley. May we never grow complacent in the Lord and “live off the smoke”.

-- Jonathan Herron