Kindle the Gift

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭‬‬

God’s calling on us was not meant to be held back in timidity and fear, but shared in power, love and discipline. We are meant to share the Lord’s testimony of suffering because He has called us for His purpose. He has also given us the grace we need to fulfill it.

Kindle afresh – Strong’s G329 – anazōpyreō – to kindle (light or set on fire) anew, rekindle (relight), resuscitate (revive from an unconsciousness or apparent death); generally tropical, to kindle up, inflame, one’s mind, strength, zeal

Gift – Strong’s G5486 – charisma – the sum of those powers requisite for the discharge of the office of an evangelist

Join with me in suffering – Strong’s G4777 – sygkakopatheō to suffer hardships together with one

With a holy – Strong’s G40 – hagios – properly reverend, worthy of veneration: of things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence, as places sacred to God which are not to be profaned,

Calling – Strong’s G2821 – klēsis a call, invitation: the divine invitation to embrace salvation in the kingdom of God, which is made especially through the preaching of the gospel: with the genitive of the author

Works – Strong’s G2041 – ergon – an act, deed, thing done: works demanded by and agreeing with the law

Purpose – Strong’s G4286 – prothesis a purpose (the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists)

Paul was appointed to preach, been m apostle and teacher to the Gentiles. I have to kindle the gift God has placed within me. God doesn’t want me to be timid but to operate His purpose in my life through His power, love and discipline. We are to share His testimony with others. He has called us to share according to His purpose, not our works. I have to stop stepping back and let Hod’s power, love and discipline operate through the gifts He placed in me and called me too.

Lord, I am sorry I have operated in timidity and fear for so long. Help me to kindle the gift You placed in me and operate in Your power, love and discipline as I fulfill the purpose You created me for, sharing Your testimony with others.