10/14/2026
Have you ever heard the term banking the stove? It is something old-timers did back in the day, before we had electric or gas stoves to cook on. To make it easier to start the fire the next day, they banked the stove. Banking a stove means packing its firebox with fuel and restricting airflow so the fire smolders slowly overnight, keeping hot coals alive to easily restart the fire the next morning. You would do that by raking the red-hot coals into a pile and covering them with a blanket of ash for insulation. Do it right, and you would have hot coals to easily start the fire the next morning.
Thatâs good advice for a wood stove, but it is also great advice for Christians today. We need to make sure our relationship with the Lord stays hot so we can serve Him faithfully. Without protecting our relationship with the Lord through prayer and reading Godâs Word, it can begin to cool down. Then, when we need to be on fire for the Lord, we may find ourselves in trouble. In banking a stove, you put ashes over the coals. Our blanket of protection is the Holy Spirit, who, if we allow Him, will keep our coals hot for the Lord. Are you starting to cool down in your relationship with the Lord? Just call out to Him, and He will set you on fire for Him once again.
Leviticus 6:13 Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.
Psalm 39:3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Romans 12:11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.