Fuel Enjoyable Relationships

The fires we desire do not burn automatically or passively.

Full video at: https://youtu.be/VEOtGhy0tQM

Hello, I'm Clarence, I'm the preacher. If you want to enjoy the fire of love, then you must know how to stoke it, make it burn, and we are going to talk about just that, starting right now.

The fire of love does not burn love without the proper fuel. If you want love in your life, and that is a good idea, then you must stoke the fire of love. You cannot sit around passively hopping someone else will stoke the fire, you have to be pro-active. If you want it to burn, then take responsibility.

2 Timothy 2:15 applies here. Christians don't excel in love unless they take responsibility.

Love is part of the Christian discipline. I know that sounds odd, but love grows from discipline and training.

Matthew 22:39, rarely happens automatically. It normally takes work, but the blessing of love, the joy of live is worth it.

Unfortunately, Hollywood, sometimes portrays love as something that happens with ease. A couple falls in love, bump into a challenge, work through the challenge, and live happy ever after. All in the scope of two easy hours. Life doesn't work that way, but it does make for enjoyable entertainment sometimes.

Successful relationships take work, time, and attention. Learning to have a great marriage requires taking the time to learn things and then use those tools.

A good bible text to begin with is Ephesians 5:22-33.

You can also use tools such as the Five Languages of Love. As odd as it sounds, some people whine about not having the relationships they want but won't take the time to read a simple book like the Five Love Languages. Understanding how to use the love languages would easily stoke the fire of live, but it first takes the work of reading the book.

Let's turn our focus to God, as we close. Jesus taught that we are to love God with all our being (Matt. 22:37). This love does not automatically burn throughout the years without attention. The spiritual fire must be stoked and managed. So, how do you stoke the spiritual fire. Let's use Matthew 4:4, we don't live by bread alone, but every work that proceeds from the mouth of God. Our spiritual love needs spiritual fuel to burn. That means we must learn to get into the work and stoke the fire within our heart.

Be on the lookout for falling into a lukewarm rut, Revelation 3:15-16.