“NONSTOP FIRE” – A New Year’s Eve Message by Pastor Julian Kastrati

Julian, with Beatrice and Albulena

It happens every year. As the calendar turns, many faithful Seventh-day Adventists make a sincere resolution: “This year I’m going to read the Bible all the way through—from Genesis to Revelation.” We know the familiar counsel: three chapters a day and five on Sabbath, and you’ll get there just fine. We begin strong in Genesis and Exodus… and then we reach Leviticus—and that’s where quite a few of us quietly stall.

Yet Leviticus, the book many of us are tempted to skip, is rich with deep, practical truth for everyday life. In fact, it carries a message that can ignite our entire year. In Leviticus 6:8–13, God gives instructions about a fire on the altar that was never to go out. That nonstop fire has something important to say to us as we step into a new year.

The Nonstop Fire and God’s Presence

Leviticus 6:9 declares, “The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.” This command was given to Aaron and his sons as part of their daily priestly ministry. The altar fire was never to go out—day or night.

That constant flame was a visible sign that God had not abandoned His people. As long as the fire burned, Israel knew God was still with them and still receiving their offerings. As we enter a new year, remember this truth: God’s presence with you is not on a timer. He does not clock out at midnight. He is with you in every season, every emotion, every high and every low.

Tending the Fire: Our Daily Part

Keeping the fire burning was not a “set it and forget it” task. The priests were called to tend it faithfully. Verse 12 says, “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it.”

Every morning meant fresh wood, fresh attention, and fresh intention. This provides a powerful picture of our walk with God. If we desire a living, growing faith, we cannot rely on yesterday’s fuel. In the new year, let us choose to tend the fire by:

• Praying daily – Like placing wood on the altar, prayer keeps our hearts open and responsive to God.

• Reading Scripture regularly – God’s Word fuels our faith and gives it warmth and direction.

• Worshiping consistently – When we gather to worship, individual sparks become a brighter, stronger flame.

These practices are not checklist duties meant to impress God. They are the ways we make room for Him to keep the fire burning within us.

The Ashes and God’s Cleansing Work

The altar fire also served a practical purpose: it consumed the offering and left behind ashes. Verses 10–11 describe the priest carefully gathering those ashes, placing them beside the altar, changing garments, and then carrying the ashes outside the camp to a clean place.

This quiet, often unseen task speaks volumes. What was once whole has now been completely consumed. In the same way, when we come to God honestly—bringing our sin, our pride, and our brokenness—He does not leave those things unresolved. He deals with them fully. He consumes what must go and carries it away.

As we begin a new year, this is a gracious invitation. Allow God to burn away what no longer belongs:

• Old grudges and resentments

• Hidden sins and destructive habits

• Shame from failures God has already forgiven

Invite Him to take the ashes of the past year and carry them outside the camp.

A Fire That Never Goes Out

Verse 13 repeats the command for emphasis: “Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.” God did not desire an on-again, off-again spirituality. He called His people to a steady, enduring flame.

Our world is filled with starts and stops, spiritual highs that fade quickly, and trends that pass. God invites us to something deeper and steadier—a faith that lasts on ordinary days, through routine seasons, and even in times of pain. As we look toward 2026, we may not know what lies ahead, but by God’s grace we can choose to keep the fire burning—quietly, faithfully, consistently.

Living Out the Nonstop Fire

What does this look like in everyday life? Here are practical ways to carry the message of Leviticus 6 into our daily rhythms:

Establish a daily devotional rhythm Choose a realistic time—early morning, a lunch break, or before bed. Read Scripture, speak honestly with God, and listen. Guard this time as the priests guarded the altar.

Practice awareness of God’s presence Pause throughout the day for short prayers: “Thank You, Lord,” “Help me, Lord,” “Guide me, Lord.” These simple moments of connection keep the fire from fading.

Make corporate worship a priority Church services and small groups are not optional extras. They are like adding a fresh supply of wood to the fire. When we worship together, we strengthen and encourage one another.

Serve others The altar fire existed for the good of the whole community. Likewise, a living faith always moves outward. Look for opportunities to serve at home, at church, at work, and in your neighborhood.

Share your faith Fire spreads. When your heart is warmed by God’s love, natural opportunities arise to share a word of hope, a testimony, or an invitation to seek Jesus.

A Fresh Start at the Altar

Here we stand at the doorway of 2026. Each day, the priests began their work by tending the altar. We, too, can begin this year by doing the same spiritually.

Perhaps your fire burned low this past year. Maybe your devotional life has been inconsistent. Maybe you feel more like smoke and embers than a bright flame. The good news is this: God’s side of the fire has not gone out. His presence remains steady. His love for you has not cooled. If you bring Him a willing heart, He is ready to breathe new life into the coals.

Let this be the year when:

• God’s presence becomes more real to you than ever before

• Your daily walk with Him grows steadier and deeper

• Old ashes are carried away and left behind

• Your life gives warmth and light to those around you

The command remains simple and clear: “Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.” Let this be the banner over your spiritual life in 2026.

May this year be marked by growth, deeper faith, and quiet, steady transformation through the nonstop fire of God’s love. And as that fire burns, may the Central California Conference shine as a beacon of hope. Amen.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we step into this new year, thank You that Your presence has never left us and never will. Like the fire on the altar, let our devotion to You keep burning—through early mornings, long days, and late nights. Teach us to tend our spiritual lives daily through prayer, Scripture, and worship. Burn away what does not honor You, and carry away the ashes of our past. Use us to bring warmth, light, and hope to everyone we meet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.