Fan Into Flame

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NASB

6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

As we look at Paul’s charge to Timothy, we can reflect on this timely reminder. This is something that we must all remind ourselves of every day. How many times do we see the trouble more significant than the return? How many times do we look at our own inadequacies? In a more personal sense, when I reflect on Paul's charge unto Timothy. How many times do I forget the gift? The gift (charisma) in Greek was imparted to Timothy by the laying on of hands and Timothy's commissioning to preach the gospel by the church's elders. It carried with it both a prophetic message and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission Timothy was charged to step out in. In this verse, Paul reminded his young disciple, Timothy, of this very gift. When we forget the power of the Holy Spirit, we soon attempt the mission on our own. Here we find our inadequacies and timidity (deilias) in Greek, which means cowardice. Fanning the flame involves action and focus, but our focus becomes clear when we take action to kindle the gift. Lives are forever changed, and the “power” of the Holy Spirit is made known. Our “love” reaches new depths, and our lives become “disciplined.” All of this impacts not only our lives but the lives of our families and the lives of those in our community. I am praying that in the upcoming months, gifts are imparted by the laying on of hands, and we are forever changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Quick reminder charisma always removes deilias

Pastor Benaiah Snider