When you don’t know what to buy someone
for Christmas, try pottery lessons. It helps if the recipient has some artistic
ability, but all that is required is a desire to try something new and no concern
for getting dirty.
Potters are natural seekers of fire. Especially raku potters. They craft
their pottery from a carefully selected clay since the clay used determines
much of the character of the finished piece.[1] A
special raku glaze containing copper is applied and, though it appears white, will
produce a coppery green finish when exposed to fire.
In raku firing the glazed pottery is heated in the kiln until it glows
bright red. It is immediately placed in a metal trash can full of newspaper
strips that ignite on contact with the fire hot pottery. The can is quickly
sealed with the lid to allow the fire to burn off the oxygen. When the smoke
escapes, the lid is lifted, and the pottery is covered with water to prevent
further oxygenation. The copper in the glaze turns green any portion of the
pottery exposed to oxygen like an old, copper penny. The creativity of the raku
potter manifests itself in the fire. The whole process is exciting and slightly
frightening.
Counterfeit Fire
Read Acts 8:9-25.
People have not changed much in
2,000 years. We are drawn to people with a flashy appearance and charismatic
personality. We are easily tricked by charlatans. Simon was a magician who had
attracted a large following of people looking for easy solutions. He was Simon,
the Great, but, sadly, Simon was a counterfeit just interested in the notoriety
and money.
God wants to draw us into real
worship; not fake adoration. We expect God to meet us in the fire when a
difficult situation is blazing up around our ears and we have no way out; but God
wants us to seek the holy fire of His presence daily. He wants to fill us with the
real fire of His Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the Flaming, Indwelling, Invisible,
Divine, Praying Person whose primary objective is to make Jesus known. — Fred
A. Hartley III
Questions to Discuss:
Why were the people so quick to believe Simon, the Great?
What was Simon’s belief based upon?
For what reason did Peter and John go to Samaria?
Why did the people need the real fire of the Holy Spirit?
Why was Peter so harsh with Simon?
Real Fire
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9.
We are seekers of real fire. We have the Good News, a living hope
that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. We will have trials, but God’s
Presence is ever with us in the Holy Spirit. We must draw close to the flame. Like
the people of Samaria, belief in Jesus Christ is only the beginning. The Holy
Spirit wants to lead you into a closer relationship with Him. The result is a strong,
genuine faith that is more precious than gold that has been refined by fire.
Gold is melted at 1,947 degrees
to remove
impurities and other metals
Don’t be like Simon, the Great, who was looking for the power
without the Presence! Don’t be tricked by a counterfeit fire. The Holy Spirit
will give you real power and lead you in a life of righteousness, free from
fear and condemnation. Reverence your time with God who purchased your
salvation with the blood of His Son and gave you His Holy Spirit as your Comforter
and Companion.
Questions to Discuss:
Why does God want more for us than just
a belief in Jesus?
What are some ways we can draw closer to
God through His Spirit?
How do trials result in a stronger
faith?
How are we changed when we become
seekers of the real fire?
Prayer:
Holy
Spirit, create in me a desire to seek out the fire of Your Presence. I want a
real, lasting relationship with You; not a fake, temporary experience. I
believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I want Your Spirit and Power
to be manifest in my life so that my life draws others to Jesus.
Amen.
[1]
“Tips for Successful Raku Firing: Raku Clay Bodies and Kilns” by John Ramer
Sherrill. Ceramic Arts Network, March 4, 2019. Accessed online July 9, 2019.
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