March 24

Leviticus 24:4 (NIV)
4 The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD must be tended continually.

John 15:8 (NIV)
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

The lampstand must continually be tended or, it must be paid attention to so that it continues to give off light. After all the lampstand’s purpose is to give off light – continually! However, if you don’t continue to fill up the lamp with oil, trim and replace the wick you won’t have any light emanating from the lamp – it will go out! We have to tend our lamps or our light will go out. Going to church isn’t tending your lamp although it could be a part of it. Tending your lamp is making sure you are filled with oil – the Holy Spirit – and that can only happen when you are intentional about it. That intentionality can be going to church if your purpose in going to church is to meet with God, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and let your light effect those around you. Church will never be a substitute for seeking God, reading His Word, spending time with Him and getting in His presence to be filled with the Holy Spirit, though it can be part of it.

The purpose of the lamp is to shed light and so when we are full we will be the light that we were made to be. It is to God’s glory for us to bear a whole lot of fruit. Jesus says that we should ask for it and God will give us what we are asking for – why? Because it glorifies God for us to love others, to heal others, to minister to others, to have peace in turmoil, to perform signs and wonders, to have great confidence, to cast out demons, etc… The only way we will bear this fruit is to be filled with God and tend our selves, making sure you have enough oil to shine the light and to simple ask for the fruit.