I used to think that when God spoke about fire, He was speaking about judgment. I imagined that God was in heaven ready to hit us with a big baseball bat. But that picture is not consistent with Biblical accounts of the fire of God when it fell.

Yes, there is a fire that pertains to judgment, but the Church isn't under God's wrath and judgment. There is another kind of fire that brings blessing and benefit to the Church. We can see an example of the fire of God as it pertains to the Church in the Book of Acts.

And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like AS OF FIRE, and it sat upon each of them. And THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Acts 2:1-4)

When believers were baptized in the Holy Ghost, they were filled with the fire of God. What did the fire of God produce? Did it bring judgment? No! It filled the Church with Holy Ghost power, ability, and might (Acts 1:8 AMP).

What kind of fire is this that is going to change the course of our lives and that is going to burn off the chaff? Is this a fire that will burn us up? No, it's fire that will set us free. It's the fire of the Holy Ghost.

Where is the fire? It's in believers! Notice that the fire of God filled believers on the inside and changed them on the outside. Most of us want changes to come from the outside first, but God always produces changes from the inside out. If we will get filled up with the fire of God, it will burn off the chaff from the inside out.

What is this move of God where people are so filled with joy and laughter, they get drunk in the Holy Ghost? It's the fire of God!

Thank God for the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the vapor of smoke, and for the glory that brings manifestations of the Holy Ghost in signs, wonders, and miracles.

Blood, Fire and Vapor of Smoke by Mark Brazee
All rights reserved. Used by permission.