Remember to Ignite Your Gift From God

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 8, 2016

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Sometimes at the inception of salvation the fire of God’s Spirit burns the brightest, but then life happens—faith loses its fuel—smothered, lacking hope’s oxygen. Bustling activities tend to push Christ to an “as needed role”—as a spiritual EMT. “Jesus, I’ll involve you in my life when I can’t control it.” Instead of enjoying a blazing bonfire of belief, a distracted Christian falls into a routine that doesn’t rock the boat of status quo, and forgets to stoke the fire of God’s gift, as it turns cool and stale within their soul. Luke warm is not an acceptable option to our Lord!

With his authority from God, and his affection for Timothy, Paul reminded his mentee to fan into flame God’s gift of evangelism—which laid dormant in his heart. Like a campfire’s smoldering embers, Timothy needed to take a stick of faith and stir Christ’s simmering coals in his being, so the gospel flame would erupt in a life engulfed for the Lord. Every Christian has received the Spirit of God, who bestows on every believer, unique gifts from God. The warm gray ashes of an ignored gift—must be replaced by the orange-hot flame of an unleashed gift.

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:14-15).

Humility is a good attitude to employ when we focus on kindling into fire the gift God has given us. Whatever our gift: service, administration, teaching, giving, leading, encouraging, hospitality, wisdom or mercy—make sure to exercise it with dependence on Christ and in deference to others. The Spirit gives us the resolve, the love and the self-discipline to see us through the process of growing our gifts. As with sports, we—practice, practice, practice—until we feel comfortable and at our best. Ongoing improvement helps a gift reach its capacity.

Develop your gift’s potential by learning from other gifted individuals—so, remain a student of seasoned practitioners. Apprentice, ask questions—as you concurrently apply what you learn. When you fail—adjust, and keep moving forward by using your gifts for the good of the Body of Christ. Rest in your unique gifting from God and resist wishing you had another’s giftedness. Ask the Holy Spirit’s fire to ignite your gifts for God’s glory and to strengthen the church. An under utilized gift fades away, but an enflamed gift delights heaven and disgusts hell.

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2).

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the discipline to grow to capacity the gifts You have given me.

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Application

What gift do I need to regularly exercise and develop for God’s glory?

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Related Reading

Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:9-11

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Post/Tweet today

Rest in your unique gifting from God and resist wishing you had another’s giftedness. #WisdomHunters #enflamedgift

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Worship Resource

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