The Pfeifers

March 2008 - Fan The Flame

I was reading in 2 Timothy 1:6 recently, about Paul's admonishment to Timothy. I decided if the author of two thirds of the New Testament had some advice to give, I had better check it out. Paul told Timothy to "stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." The Greek definition for "stir up" in that passage means to fan the flame, get excited, be passionate about this gift. I think about basketball players when they get fired up before a big game. They definietley perform better and are much more effective when they are stirred up. If we are going to get stirred up about this gift of God, we need to understannd what the gift is.

The Greek definition for "gift" is deliverance, religious qualification, miraculous faculty, joy, cheerfulness, delight, and undeserved favor. Wow, what a gift! Then Paul went on to say, "which is in you". Think about it, you already possess this wonderful gift. Webster's definition of deliverance is setting free, resue, or release. We have been set free from fear, anger, jealousy, envy, depression, low self esteem, and every other negative emotion you can name. We have been rescued from the clutches of Satan, and released to live successful lives. You possess the gift of religious qualification. The blood of Jesus had qualified you for the job. You are well able to live and walk in the Spirit. Miraculous faculty is in you. Miraculous means super natural faculty is defined, power or ability to do some particular thing. We already posses the power and ability to maintain strong relationships, make right decisions, be the best at our jobs, make money, eat right, be disciplined and anything else that pertains to our everyday lives. Isn't that exciting. We already possess joy, delight and undeserved favor. All of this giftedness that is laready in us comes through the Holy Spirit which abides in us.

How do we "fan the flame", stay fired up and excited about this gift? First of all, I believe we have to worship, pray and stay in the Word. God is His Word and you cannot be excited and love someone you do not even know. Secondly, we have to acknowledge what the gift is....deliverance, religious qualification, miraculous faculty, joy, cheerfulness, delight, and undeservedd favor. We literally have the favor of Almighty God ! Thirdly, we have to believe ! The Greek definition for believe is to trust in, rely on, be fully convinced of. We have to trust in, rely on, and be fully convinced that we have this gift.

Worship, pray, stay in the Word, ackowledge the gift, and believe !!