FIRE UP!

March 1, 2006

Are you remembering to fan into flames the spiritual gift God has given you?

THINK ABOUT IT

An artist performs as one of the 'sparks of passion' during the closing ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, 02/26/06. REUTERS/Mike Blake

photo courtesy reuters & msnbc.msn.com, 02/27/06

TAKE A LOOK

2 Timothy 1:5-7 - (NLT)

⁵I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois. ⁶This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. ⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

WHAT DOES PAUL MEAN WHEN HE SAYS THAT FOLLOWERS OF JESUS SHOULD "FAN INTO FLAMES THE SPIRITUAL GIFT GOD GAVE YOU"?

We find some great insight in Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE:

1:6 At the time of his ordination, Timothy had received special gifts of the Spirit to enable him to serve the church (see 1 Timothy 4:14). In telling Timothy to "fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you," Paul was encouraging him to persevere. Timothy did not need new revelations or new gifts; he needed the courage and self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts he had already received (see 1:13, 14). If Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim the Good News once again, the Holy Spirit would go with him and give him power. When you use the gifts God has given you, you will find that God will give you the power you need to accomplish whatever task he gives you.

My favorite part of the Olympic Ceremonies was the "hot-headed" artists skating at top speed to symbolize the idea of passion. It illustrated the way that the world's top athletes would take the spark of the games and fan it into a thrilling display of their abilities.

Building God's Kingdom is much more than a religious game. Are you passionate about using your God-given gifts in obedience to serving Christ? Let His Spirit empower you to fire up!

TALK ABOUT IT

Praise God for the power of His Holy Spirit in you! Thank God for the privilege and responsibility of helping build His Kingdom. Thank God for the spiritual gifts He has given you. Ask Him to show you what your gifts are and how to use them. Thank Jesus that He will provide the courage you need to be fired up about accomplishing His purposes.

TRY IT

Pray every day for the faith you need to simply let God's Spirit empower you to be fired up about serving and glorifying Jesus.
Read Romans 12:1-8 and 1 Corinthians 12 to learn more about spiritual gifts.
Ask your youth leader or pastor for help in discovering and using your spiritual gifts.
Whenever you see a flame or a fire, let Jesus remind you to be fired up about helping build His Kingdom.

ABOUT IT

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron Emmert Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.